Colchester Fringe: Rey Camoy

Hauntingly beautiful physical theatre from Japan, inspired by the life of the painter, Rey Camoy.

Camoy (1928-1985) was described by Tokyo Art Beat as “a little-known peripatetic Japanese painter of the human condition”. Over his career he painted countless portraits of drunks, clowns, disabled soldiers, old crones – searching obsessively for himself in these lost souls. He took his own life at the age of 57.

Tarinainanika’s production shows the artist in his studio surrounded by the characters from his creations, who variously draw out his passions and his anguish. The drama unfolds without a word, with intricate ensemble-work and breath-taking physicality. It’s a gut-wrenching love-song to beauty – the kind of beauty worth living for, and dying for.

Tarinainanika is an international physical theatre company based in Osaka, Japan. Directors Kentaro Suyama and Tania Coke trained and began their careers in London before moving to Japan in 2010. From their base at the Flying Carpet Factory they also run the Corporeal Mime School of Performing Arts where they are busy nurturing the next generation of actor-creators. The company has presented its original works at festivals and venues across Japan and internationally.

This tour is supported by Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and EU Japan Fest.

Content to Consider

The show is for all ages but it does have quite dark themes. There is a moment that represents suicide, but the action is stylised and symbolic and you can watch this particular moment in the new trailer (at 39 seconds).