265 words, 1 minute read time
This enjoyable comedy from Japan has a bit of everything, mime, conjuring, slapstick, and acrobatics. Akira Ishida stars as a bored office worker who decides to enliven his hum drum existence by taking on a series of challenges to impress and win the heart of the girl who drops into his life played by Alice Ayano.
Before the story begins, there is a brief period of audience participation where a mysterious figure clad all in black invites people to come on stage and remove pieces from a puzzle and have a try at the Japanese art of Kendama. The black clad figure goes on to play the role of both provider of special effects, (a watering spray providing the rain as our protagonist looks out the window no doubt contemplating another boring day at work), and announcer, holding up banners in English and Japanese describing whether our hero is dreaming, (in one sequence bravely taking on a drunk on the train who is harassing the girl of his dreams), or reality, (where he is meekly asking the pest to stop) and also describes the scene setting such as “HOME” as well as flipping over a list of days illustrating the time spent by the main character in mastering a number of tricks.
Amongst memorable moments are an exciting sword fight when our office worker is in the virtual world of a gaming headset and a mime involving a briefcase with a mind of its own! The energetic and talented cast make “Challenge” a most enjoyable show.
More information and tickets here
Reviewed by David Andrews
Edinburgh Little Theatre
