Surprising Sexual Stereotypes

Vancouver East Cultural Centre and PuSh present the premiere of Theatre Replacement’s
Sexual Practices of the Japanese
Written by Maiko Bae Yamamoto, James Long, Manami Hara and Hiro Kanagawa

“James Long and Maiko Bae Yamamoto are two of the most talented young theatre artists in the city.” Jerry Wasserman

Theatre Replacement returns to the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, with Sexual Practices of the Japanese, running January 24 – 28 at 8pm at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre.

A scintillating peek into the world of common sexual stereotypes surrounding Japanese culture, this sometimes-irreverent trilogy takes us from a young woman’s groping experience on the super-express train to Yokohama in CHIKAN (Pervert), to the brink of an office-born love affair in an infamous Tokyo LOVE HOTEL, to obsessions with Seattle Mariners star fielder and Japanese icon Ichiro Suzuki in FAN. Sexual Practices of the Japanese finds inspiration in the place where the traditional and modern meet, in the blurry space between our perceptions and expectations.

Founded in 2003, Theatre Replacement builds, produces and tours unique small-scale chamber works. Artistic Directors James Long and Maiko Bae Yamamoto are both graduates of Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts, and are two of the original co-founders of Boca del Lupo. Theatre Replacement’s inaugural production, The Empty Orchestra, premiered as a satellite performance at the 2005 PuSh Festival. A few months later, the company produced Broiler, written and performed by James Long, as part of Rumble Production’s The Young & The Restless Series.

Sexual Practices of the Japanese is directed by James Long and Maiko Bae Yamamoto, with sound design by in house designer Veda Hille (The Empty Orchestra) and Lee Hutzulak, costume design by Barbara Clayden and lighting design by Jonathan Ryder. Performances by Maiko Bae Yamamoto, Manami Hara and Hiro Kanagawa.

Sexual Practices of the Japanese runs January 24 – 28 at 8pm at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Take in a post-show talk on Wednesday, January 25. Tickets for the show are $20 or $15 for students and seniors (plus service charges), and are available from Ticketmaster at 604.280.3311 or www.ticketmaster.ca. You can see Sexual Practices of the Japanese with your PuSh Pass, which gives you four tickets to any PuSh shows* for $64 inclusive. PuSh Passes are also valid for a discount at the door for any satellite show. To purchase a pass, call 604.709.9973 or email info@touchstonetheatre.com.

For more information on the PuSh Festival, pick up a brochure or visit www.pushfestival.ca.

*The PuSh Pass does not include tickets for Kronos Quartet with special guest Tanya Tagaq. However, priority seating is available for passholders until January 10th only. Seating is subject to availability on a limited basis. Call 604.709.9973 for information.