Theatre of dreams
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle employs a dynamic blend of live performance and multi-media technology to create a hypnotic “theatre of dreams.” The multiple realities of the narrative are realized by layers of projections, mesmerizing soundscapes, Japanese anime, puppetry, and dance. Some actors only appear live on stage, some are trapped in the world of film, while other characters have the ability to pass back and forth. The theatre is surrounded by imagery and sound, so the audience feels as if they’re immersed in the world of the characters, not watching from a distance. The play is as much a feast for the senses as it is an engaging emotional journey that pushes the boundaries of what people think of as theatre.
Water
As one character puts it, “Human existence is largely controlled by elements of water”. Wells, pools, underwater sequences, and dreams of bodies of water all provide a metaphor for the fluidity of human existence. Actors “swim” through the air as if gliding through water. Toru’s fixation with jellyfish is a central visual motif. Hi-definition video projections appear and disappear on surfaces of water and fog to emphasize the dream-like intangibility of Murakami’s worlds where the people and objects in Toru’s life constantly materialize and evaporate.
Stage design
Our goal is to produce the most immersive environment possible. Innovative use of projection technology and surround-sound audio will be married with progressive scenic design in order to draw the audience deep into the world of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Technology
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle makes use of several cutting-edge projection technologies. Eyeliner, an “invisible” scrim, makes projected characters appear as holograms on stage. Isadora is a computer imaging system that transposes actors’ movements into programmable video projections in real time. Video projections appear on non-traditional surfaces: walls of water, smoke and fog, as well as hanging laundry, tablecloths, bed sheets and the actor’s skin.