Free At Last: Life Beyond the River

Tokyo International Players (TIP), in collaboration with Tokyo Artistic Theatre Ensemble (TaTe), is proud to present its next production of 2016, "Free at Last: Life Beyond the River," written and directed by Wendell T Harrison. This play was written as a companion to TIP’s production of "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and was created using collected interviews from former American slaves.

"Free at Last" is an original play based on interviews from "Born in Slavery," a collection of slave narratives that were obtained as a part of the Federal Workers Project in America from 1936 to 1938. Set in the modern era, but with scenes that evoke America's dark past, these stories are seen through the eyes of a Japanese television producer named Mieko who travels to America, researching news reports. However —through monologues, theatrical movement, and the use of spirituals — Mieko not only gets an education on the institution of slavery but also begins the process of breaking free of her own cultural chains.

“As an African-American in Japan, I feel it's incredibly rare to see anything about my people," says writer/director Harrison. “There’s nothing denoting our struggles and triumphs in America. Slavery is glossed over at best in schools, and even the Japanese word for slave carries no strong connotation in this country, which never experienced outright slavery. I definitely don't think that is a problem, but rather a missed cultural opportunity.”

“While I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to tell such a story, I was actually introduced to the idea by Hannah Grace and Amber Richardson, the directorial team behind 'Big River.' Encouraged by Japanese friends and colleagues who genuinely wanted to learn more about America's history and involvement in the slave trade, and with the generous support of the 'Big River' team, this production is a chance to showcase the strength and perseverance of African-Americans through the art of storytelling, dance, and music. And overall, the theme is an optimistic one about breaking free from your past to become something greater.”

"Free At Last" is a bilingual production, utilising both Japanese and English subtitles. The cast includes TIP veterans Asuka Sorimachi, Gini Benson, Brian Berdanier, Ra'Chelni M. Weir II, Sachi Tanaka, Jack Freeman and Amber Richardson and features newcomers Elizabeth Perkins and Cody Kuroda.

Harrison hails from the United States (Louisiana) and has made Japan his home for seven years. Throughout that time, he has worked extensively with Tokyo International Players as an actor and director ("Romeo and Juliet," "No Exit," "Disney’s Mulan Jr.," "Disney’s Peter Pan Jr." and "The Music Man Jr.") before founding Tokyo Artistic Theatre Ensemble with "Romeo and Juliet" producer Goshi Shirakawa.

Venue: Ogikubo Showgekijo (Ogikubo Station, JR Chuo Line) Dates: Thursday and Friday, June 2 and 3 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 4 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, June 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets: 3,000 yen with advance reservation, 3,500 yen at the door, 2,500 for students.

Visit www.tokyoplayers.org or www.tokyoarts.org to reserve tickets.