Performers strut their stuff in Tokyo

(Ishikawa Yuko / Courtesy of The Tokyo Performing Arts Market)

When an artist or performer is putting on a show of his or her skills in order to win a contract to take that to the bright lights of a stage and -- potentially -- a vast audience, then you can be sure that they are going to pull out all the stops.

When an artist or performer is putting on a show of his or her skills in order to win a contract to take that to the bright lights of a stage and - potentially - a vast audience, then you can be sure that they are going to pull out all the stops.

The Tokyo Performing Arts Market is an industry convention that is in its 14th year and provides artists with the stage on which to strut their stuff and then the chance to meet promoters and representatives of venues. The bonus for anyone with an interest in the arts is that these demonstrations of cutting-edge music, theater, dance and every conceivable form of performance are also open to the public.

Divided into the TPAM Showcase and the International Showcase, the first section is designed to promote local talent and will feature a reinterpretation of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" by Kakuya Ohashi, who has given the concerns of the early 20th century a modern tint by replacing the rush into World War I with the haste to globalise, according to organisers.

Other home-grown productions will include the Dewandaru Dance Company's work "Hallucination," a solo piece inspired by the author of Yakuza Moon, the often graphic account of growing up as the daughter of a gangster penned by Shoko Tendo.

All the international performers will be making their Japan debuts and hail from every corner of the globe.

The Indonesian Nan Jombang Dance Company was established in 1983 and constructs a minimalist contemporary dance form out of traditional Sumatran dance.
Quebec, Canada-based troupe Cas Public aims to introduce modern dance to younger audiences and has won widespread acclaim for its updated take on the fairy tale of Bluebeard when it was performed at the Opera in Paris in 2006.

Another participant will be Briton Duncan Speakman, who intends to take his Subtlemob performances to the streets of Tokyo "to explore new relationships with society and the audience through such schemes as utilisation of digital technologies or active involvement of the viewers."

Tokyo Performing Arts Market, February 27 - March 5

Venues: Various across Tokyo; see website for more details.

Further information: www.tpam.or.jp

JR