FringeReview Worldwide 2025
Blanc de Blanc
Shu Okuno
Genre: Contemporary, Dance and Movement Theatre, European Theatre, International, Mime, Movement, Physical Theatre, Theatre, World Theatre
Venue: Théâtre Golovine
Festival: FringeReview Worldwide
Low Down
A one man mime show by a talented Japanese artist who brings on the stage the French tradition of Marcel Marceau interweaved with Japanese aesthetics and taste for details in movement
Review
Staged in the wonderful venue of Theatre Golovine, a theatre whose programme is mostly focused on contemporary dance and physical theatre shows with a high international appeal, Blanc de Blanc (in English “White from White”) is performed by Japanese mime and physical theatre artist Shu Okuno.
The play tells the story of a tailor, a craftsman working alone in his studio as he searches to create a unique item of clothing from a piece of pure white fabric. Indeed, the colour white is also recalled in the minimalist scenography created by Nanako Ishizuka. One wonders if this choice of colour refers to the “purity of the soul” as the story unfolds in mostly poetic mood accompanied at times by the piano solos of French composer and pianist Jordane Tumarinson.
The choice of the music soundtrack is not a random one as Shu Okuno introduces us to the character of the tailor to then split into a secondary character, a mysterious pianist. The 2 characters share the same passion for their work and in a way also represent two different psychological worlds. The tailor works his craft creating physical objects; his work is only focused on the person who is going to wear the fruit of his hard work. The pianist creates music for the moment and his work is made to appeal to large audiences. We don’t know if this is a conscious decision by Shu Okuno but it becomes very evident once we see the pianist taking a plane to hold a concert in a remote location.
This psychological interplay of Yin and Yang unfolds through a succession of alternating and contrasting scenes. The introverted world of the tailor, absorbed by his work in the 4 walls of his studio, the extroverted world of the pianist, taking a stroll in a park and relating with his audience through his music.
What is particularly interesting about this play is the tailor himself who veers away from the stereotyped characters to be found in many mime performances. Another unexpected moment is when Shu Okuno transforms the fingers of the pianist into a wonderful moment of hand puppetry. As his hands come alive they become two lovers showing us the duality of repulsion and attraction reaching a climax in unity.
There is a lot of unconscious symbolism in this play that has all the potential to become a true gem.
After having left the venue these symbols slowly sink in creating images that stay with us long after the play is over.
