Lemons x5

Ashley & Georgia in Lemons Lemons Lemon Lemons Lemons - Photo by Rodger Sono

I worked as Assistant Director on Tokyo International Player’s February production of Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, directed by Kate Cwynar.

I thought that Kate’s immersive concept worked really well for this piece, and that it implicated the audience in the political idea in a way that it wouldn’t have on an end-on stage. It was the first time I had seen a production staged this way at Our Space, with the whole space used as if it were Bernadette and Oliver’s apartment. The audience sat right beside the performers, with no distance between them.

It also made it very clear how important the audience are to a performance. They were in the light along with the actors, and their reactions became part of the piece. They shared in the joy when the relationship was going well, and when it became tense, the audience started to feel that pressure as well.

I found it particularly interesting watching the audience. One person was leaning forward in their chair during an argument happening right in front of them, as if they couldn’t quite believe they were there to witness it. They were completely engaged and seeing that type of response makes all the work worthwhile.