In the second class of this semester we started working with the script as we all should have read it beforehand.  The first time I read it I didn’t get how many characters there were in every scene and if they were still on stage after their scene of if the had walked. I found it hard to understand the meaning, the plot, and the sense of the play. This was the first time I had worked with a play without any dialogue and at the same time we had to move in slow motion. It is fair to say that I was quite disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to perform in a play where I had to focus on speech and conveying my emotions through my dialogue as well as my movements.

As we sat down in a big group going through every scene in the hand of all the different directions that were given in the script it started to make more sense. I started to understand the essence of the play and picking up different meanings behind every character and the way they were described. Looking closer as a play together as a group really helped me to see that it was more to the play than I had thought in the beginning. It was interesting to hear about everyone’s assumptions about the piece and that we had all gotten something different from reading it separately before starting to discuss it. Getting home from the class I had to research him to read about him as a writer and see if I found out something more about his style of performance.

‘Ōta’s interests broadened from specific political issues to philosophical and cultural concerns. He read widely in existentialism, anthropology, psychology, cultural theory, theatre of the absurd, and the arts in general. His skepticism eventually made him choose theatre that was not overtly ideological as the best way to express his criticism of culture and his outlook on life.’

I found this in bibliography about Ōta Shōgo and it gave me a clearer picture on how his performance pieces have come to life. He has chosen to use theatre as a way yo express criticism on culture and his political view. Using their talent and position to express his meaning is something I found really interesting in playwrights and performers. If I ever get the chance to present some of my own work I would also use the voice I have been given to challenge and express my meanings and views on society.