Complicite Presents 'Shun-kin' January 30, 2009

On January 30, 2009, Complicite will present the European premiere of its latest devised work, 'Shun-kin.'  Inspired by two texts by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, 'A Portrait of Shunkin' and 'In Praise of Shadows,' this sensual devised production explores the many shades of darkness and light in human relationships. Mainichi Shimbun says "Simon McBurney has created a production which forces us, as Japanese people of today, to reconsider our own sensibilities. If you close your eyes after seeing the show, the vividness of the afterimage is almost intoxicating."

'Shun-kin' is co-produced by Complicite, Setagaya Public Theatre and barbicanbite09, London.  A Japanese cast will perform the play in Japanese with English surtitles; this cast includes Kaho Aso, Songha Cho, Eri Fukatsu, Hidetaro Honjo, Yoshi Oida, Yuko Miyamoto, Kentaro Mizuki, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Keitoku Takada, Ryoko Tateishi.  'Shun-kin' is directed by Simon McBurney, with composer Hidetaro Honjo, set designers Merle Hensel and Rumi Matsui, lighting by Paul Anderson, sound by Gareth Fry, projection by Finn Ross for mesmer, costumes Christina Cunningham, and puppetry Blind Summit Theatre.

'Shun-kin' will run from January 30 to February 21, 2009 at the Barbican Theatre in London.  Tickets are currently on sale for Barbican members and will go on sale for the general public October 10. Call 0845 120 7550 or visit www.barbican.org.uk/bite to book your ticket.

Complicite was founded in 1983 by Simon McBurney, Annabel Arden, and Marcello Magni.  The Company is a constantly evolving ensemble of performers and collaborators, now led by Artistic Director Simon McBurney.  Complicite's work has ranged from entirely devised work to theatrical adaptations and revivals of classic texts. The Company has also worked in other media; radio productions of 'Mnemonic' and John Berger's 'To The Wedding,' a collaboration with 'The Pet Shop Boys' in Trafalgar Square and 'The Vertical Line,' a multi-disciplinary installation performed in a disused tube station.  Always changing and moving forward to incorporate new stimuli, the principles of Complicite's work have remained close to the original impulses: seeking what is most alive, integrating text, music, image and action to create surprising, disruptive theatre.