It may have been an artsy hotspot a very, very long time ago, but contemporary Yurakucho is not exactly known for its cultural charms – discounting the buzzing izakayas and drunken salarymen performing their nightly antics in front of them, of course.
But early July opener Alternative Theatre on the seventh floor of the Yurakucho Centre Building is set to change that image by serving up a selection of rather intriguing shows. Although its complete programme is yet to be released, there will be a strong focus on diversity and inclusiveness. And why the effort to attract a more mixed crowd? Well, it's the old '2020 is just around the corner' refrain.
One of the ways in which this theatre will be embracing diversity is by offering non-verbal shows. The first of these, 'Alata', follows the unusual path of one very usual office lady. One day, she bumps into the samurai Alata, who has accidentally time-travelled from the Sengoku (Warring States) period to Tokyo in 2020.
Actor Yuki Saotome and all-round-performer-turned-street dancer Elina play the protagonists, while film director Shunichi Okamura will be guiding them through it all. Even if you don't understand any Japanese, the creators have made sure there's enough enjoy, from projection mapping to swordsmanship, dancing and aerial acts.
Alternative Theatre was conjured up by the team behind Studio Alta, perhaps best known for their shopping mall-come-meeting spot opposite Shinjuku Station's east exit. They've pulled out all the stops at this new venture, installing a wall and ceiling LED lighting system, support equipment for aerial acts, and contraptions that let 'sound and light communicate' with each other.
All this is supposed to enhance the non-verbal side of it all, as audiences will be able to understand and enjoy everything regardless of language ability. Robot Restaurant 2.0 – albeit with very different content – perhaps?
When we met them at a recent press preview, the actors themselves were pretty pumped, although there apparently are still a few kinks to sort out a month before the show opens. As Elina put it, 'There's still room for improvement. Non-verbal performances have become common these days, but combining a play with swords and dancing is quite rare.' We're sure they'll figure it all out in time for maiden night on July 7.