Retire-Men takes a humorous look on Japanese retirees in South East Asia

The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Theater Company RINKOGUN present Retire-Men, a collaboration work between Japan, the Philippines and Thailand happening on January 27 & 28, 2018 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater).

Written by Yayoi Shimizu and directed by Yoji Sakate and Nikorn Sae Tang, Retire-Men is a humorous play that takes a peek on the lives of Japanese retirees settling in Southeast Asia. Presented with English subtitles, this production features actors from the Philippines and Thailand namely Mailes Kanapi, Narumol Thammapruksa, Marj Lorico, and Nikorn Sae Tang. Also starring are Tenshi Kamogawa, Kenjiro Kawanaka, Tsunekazu Inokuma, Maiko Hio, Naofumi Takeyama, Shoko Munakata, and Yuka Tanaka from RINKOGUN, Tokyo, Japan.

Theater Company RINKOGUN, founded by Japanese playwright and director Yoji Sakate in 1982, has created an estimable body of original work that grapples with a wide variety of social and political issues in both modern Japan and the world at large.

The company's dramaturgy encompasses a range of controversial and, at times, taboo topics. Through its relentless focus on current events, RINKOGUN brings its audience a keen awareness of important social issues facing Japan and the international community.

In addition, RINKOGUN has developed over the last 32 years a unique performance style though it's regular use of the intimate black-box stage. In this laboratory-like setting, the company has experimented with combining Noh, Butoh, recorded music, film, video, fine arts, contemporary poetry, and classical drama.

Retire-Men performance dates are on January 27, 2018, 3:00 & 8:00 PM and on January 28, 2018, 3:00 PM. The Manila leg is the first stop of a tour that includes performances in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand. This production is supported by the Japan Foundation, Manila.