Every three years, the tiny village of Yakumo, located just south of Matsue, has made a name for itself by hosting the only regularly held International Theatre Festival in all of Japan. From November 3-7, 2004 Theatre Group Ashibue along with the residents and administrators of Yakumo will stage the 2nd Yakumo International Theatre Festival (YITF) with much fanfare. This event marks the third time that Yakumo will offer all of its resources to the festival.

A performance of “The Fantasticks” by Lacrosse Community Theatre (USA) at the first Yakumo International Theatre Festival

To get to this point, a lot of staff and volunteers have given their proverbial blood, sweat and tears. However, its success has also depended on some timely karma. Under the guidance of Tsukushi Sonoyama, Theatre Group Ashibue’s Artistic and Managing Director, the YITF began through a series of events that was akin to the stars aligning.

After returning to Matsue from a successful tour overseas, Theatre Group Ashibue was looking to build a larger stage to expand its base and, perhaps, to hold a theatre festival of its own one day. At the same time, the success of the group caught the eye of Yakumo’s mayor, who was keen to develop the town further through theatre. A chance meeting ensued and in 1995, using a combination of funds donated privately by members and supporters of Ashibue along with money from Yakumo village, Shiinomi* Theatre was constructed. Today it remains Japan’s only publicly owned, privately operated building.

Since Shiinomi Theatre was established, two successful theatre festivals have been held. The ’99 Yakumo International Theatre Festival led to the permanent establishment of the YITF as a triennial event, first held in November of 2001. In that time, the YITF has showcased 12 professional, semi-professional and amateur theatre groups from over seven countries, with another eight troupes and six countries to be added to that tally this year. Furthermore, delegates from around the world will also observe the festivities for the first time this November.

Theatre Group Eunha (Korea) received the Best Performance Award at the first YITF for their performance of “Sansikim”

News of the festival’s merit is spreading overseas as well, for 37 groups from 27 countries inquired or applied to appear on Shiinomi’s stage this November. In the end, exceptional groups from Estonia, Lithuania, Venezuela, Spain and the USA were chosen to perform two stages of a single performance over three full days of world-class theatre. Taking place at Yakumo’s larger Alba Hall, Tokyo’s Yellow Man Group, a professional improvisation troupe, and La Colmenita, a children’s troupe from Cuba, will open and close the festivities respectively. Ashibue’s production of Jyunji Kinoshita’s ‘Hikoichi’s Tale’ (with portions performed in English) and performances on the children’s stage by a professional clown from Belgium round out the lineup for this year’s festival.

What separates this festival from others, however, is how the various groups are involved beyond the performances. During the day, artists, adjudicators and delegates have the opportunity to visit local schools for cultural exchange with Yakumo students; at night, they are hosted in homes throughout the community. Thus, the festival brings not only theatre to a rural village but also a level of grassroots internationalization that serves as a model of regional development that has been recognized throughout Japan.

Visiting performers taking part in a school visit during the festival

Although Yakumo will merge with Matsue this spring, everyone involved in the YITF sees the amalgamation as an opportunity. “Growth is good,” says Ms. Sonoyama, who now also directs and manages the Festival itself, “but the focus has to remain on the quality of the theatre and the depth of meaningful exchange.”

And with everything falling into place this year, it looks like the festival’s success is secured in the stars.

*Shiinomi means ‘Sweet Acorn’ in English.

Jeff Lippold is a privately contracted Coordinator of International Relations in Yakumo Village and holds the additional title of Marketing Director of the Yakumo International Theatre Festival. He is from Calgary, Canada, and spent three years on the JET Programme in Yamanashi Prefecture from 1994-1997.

The 2nd Yakumo International Theatre Festival is looking for volunteers from all walks of life to help with all manners of things-anything from translation to helping out during the festival. Contact Jeff Lippold at admin@yitf.org. for more information. To view the highlights from the 1st Yakumo International Theatre Festival, visit www.yitf.org.