A Phenomenon in Theatre and Robotic Engineering

Internationally acclaimed playwright and director Prof. Oriza Hirata of Osaka University and Seinendan Theatre Company, has been collaborating with world renowned roboticist Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro　Ph.D, also of Osaka University, ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories, in their Android-Human Theatre projects since 2007. Their three plays, in which human actors share the stage with robots, are groundbreaking in arts and sciences.

Their latest work "Sayonara" marks the first time Prof. Ishiguro, used a Humanoid, or an android who not only looks but also acts like a human, on the stage. As the 20-minute play depicts a scene in which a robot recites Japanese, French and German poems to her dying young master, the Japanese playwright asks the audience, "What do life and death mean to humans and robots?"

After the world premiere last two years at the Aichi Triennale, "Sayonara" was staged at the Festival/Tokyo. It was presented to theatre scholars from around the world attending the International Federation for Theatre Research’s annual conference in Osaka. Last year, the play’s European premiere was at the Arts Electronica festival in Linz, Austria. It was a highlight at the Kyoto Experiment: Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival, and most recently at the Théâtre de Gennevilliers in Paris.

The Japan Foundation, Osaka University and Seinendan Theatre Company in co-operation with Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering; Japanese Language Section, Department of Eastern Languages; and Department of Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University proudly present the Asian premiere (outside Japan) of Android-Human Theatre "Sayonara" (in Thai and Japanese, with English surtitles), from 15 to 18 March, 2012. The play will be performed by Geminoid F, alongside professional and student Thai and Japanese actresses, selected by Prof. Hirata in the audition last June. Prof. Hirata will direct the Bangkok production, and the Thai script is by Rangsiman Kitchaicharoen, who won the play translation competition organized by the Japan Foundation, Bangkok.

In addition, to further enhance the knowledge exchange, a Talk (in Japanese, with Thai translation) by Prof. Ishiguro, Prof. Hirata and Android Researcher will be also held.

Program
Date:	Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 March, 2012
Time:	Thursday 15	4.00pm {*}	6.00pm
	Friday 16	4.00pm {*}	6.00pm
	Saturday 17	2.00pm {*}	4.00pm 6.00pm 8.00pm
	Sunday 18	2.00pm {*}	4.00pm
Venue:	Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts 6F Mahachakri Sirindhorn Building, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Japanese and Thai versions with English surtitles are provided in every performance. {*}Discussion with Prof. Hirata, Prof. Ishiguro, and Android Researcher Admission Free (Advance reservation is highly recommended)

Tickets will be available at Chulalongkorn Book Center and the Japan Foundation, Bangkok (Tel: 02-260-8560-3). For more information and reservation of the special lecture by Prof. Hirata, Prof. Ishiguro and Android Researcher, please contact Department of Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University (Tel. 02- 218-4802 Mobile. 08-1559-7252).

More information:
JFBKK www.jfbkk.or.th    www.facebook.com/jfbangkok
Drama Chula www.facebook.com/drama arts chula
Seinendan Theater company www.seinendan.org/en/
Android Robotics (Ishiguro Lab) http://top.irl.sys.es.osaka-u.ac.jp/