2014 · 60 min · Captions

The Room Nobody Knows

Niwa Gekidan Penino

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About this performance

Enter a surreal fever dream in this psycho-erotic tale from modern Japan. Overworked and undersexed, a fatigued student’s brain conjures the bizarre tale of two brothers and their un-nameable erotic fantasies. Their comically claustrophobic world plays out on a candy-colored, meticulously constructed miniature set replete with pig faces, giant phalluses and secret compartments. 

Niwa Gekidan Penino seeks to transcend the existing framework of drama through their performances in non-theatrical spaces and sets that transform the stage. Led by playwright/director (and former psychiatrist) Kuro Tanino, the company has performed abroad in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Their 2014 visit will be their first US tour.

About the artist

Niwa Gekidan Penino

Niwa Gekidan Penino grew out of the drama club at Showa University School of Medicine formed by Kuro Tanino. The company endeavors to create freewheeling productions based on an abstract concept of "the garden" (niwa meaning "garden" in Japanese, and gekidan meaning "theater company"), and aims to achieve what they call "form beyond formula" by transcending the conventions of theater through performances in unconventional spaces. Their productions are known for complex and surrealist stage sets. The company has been invited to perform throughout Japan and at festivals and venues abroad.
All films by Niwa Gekidan Penino

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