Finborough Theatre Presents the World Premiere of HARAJUKU GIRLS

The world premiere of a new play set in Japan - HARAJUKU GIRLS opens at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 24 February 2015 (Press Nights: Thursday, 26 February 2015 and Friday, 27 February 2015 at 7.30pm).

On Jingu Bridge in Tokyo, teenage girls dress in cosplay outfits for fun, fashion, and the fantasy of being someone else, but for Mari, Keiko and Yumi, their schooldays are over...

In a race to escape from overbearing parents, stifling dead-end jobs and economic deprivation, they find their way to Kabukicho, a district of panty shops, love hotels and image clubs, where every aspect of the body and soul can be bought and sold. Only they can decide how far they're willing to go.

As the three young women grow up and apart, they tread a dangerously fine line between empowerment and victimhood as they struggle to pursue their dreams, despite the obstacles that society and tradition put in their way.

Jude Christian - the 2013 winner of the National Theatre Studio Bursary for Emerging Directors - directs the world premiere of this provocative new play by award-winning playwright Francis Turnly which takes us deep into the neon-lit streets and forbidden passageways of Tokyo.

A play about friendship, fantasy, and what it means to be free.

Irish-Japanese playwright Francis Turnly has just won a Channel 4 Playwrights Scheme bursary to be Playwright in Residence at the Tricycle Theatre. His previous plays include HIDING (Watford Palace Theatre), DESCENT(Jackson's Lane) and BOGLAND (Irish tour). He has written several plays for BBC Radio 4 including PRESSING THE FLESH, SHELTER, LULLABY, BROUGHT TO LIFE, HOMESTEAD and POINT OF DEPARTURE - as well as the original Irish detective drama, HINTERLAND. Francis was a member of the Royal Court Theatre's Studio, Unheard Voices and 'the 50' writers' groups.

Director Jude Christian was the 2013 winner of the National Theatre Studio Bursary for Emerging Directors. Direction includes HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT (National Youth Theatre of Wales), I"D RATHER GOYA ROBBED ME OF MY SLEEP THAN SOME OTHER ARSEHOLE (Gate Theatre, London, and Boom Arts, Portland), HAPPY AND THE MUSHROOM (Pentabus Young Writers Festival), ©ALCULATED TO DEATH (Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival, London, and Future Shorts, Tokyo), MY ROMANTIC HISTORY (English Theatre, Berlin) and SONATA MOVEMENTS (RADA). She studied directing at RADA, and is Artistic Director of Concert Theatre, an Associate Artist of Diverse City and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and a Creative Associate at the Gate Theatre.

Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED
Box Office 0844 847 1652 Book online at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Tuesday, 24 February - Saturday, 21 March 2015
Tuesday to Saturday Evenings at 7.30pm. Sunday Matinees at 3.00pm. Saturday matinees at 3.00pm (from 7 March 2015).

Prices until 8 March 2015 - Tickets £16, £14 concessions, except Tuesday Evenings £14 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £16 all seats. Previews (24 and 25 February) £12 all seats.
£10 tickets for Under 30's for performances from Tuesday to Sunday of the first week when booked online only.
£12 tickets for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Saturday, 28 February 2015 when booked online only.

Prices from 10 March 2015 - Tickets £18, £16 concessions, except Tuesday Evenings £16 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £18 all seats.

Performance Length: Approximately two hours including one interval of twenty minutes.

To post a comment, you must register and login.