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Tokyo International Players presents
IN A WORD
It’s the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of Fiona’s son, and even now, nothing makes sense. Not her blasé husband, not the incompetent police detective, not the neighborhood kidnapper who keeps introducing himself in the supermarket checkout line. As Fiona delves back into her memories of that fateful day in search of the crucial missing puzzle piece, grief collides with comedy and ordinary turns of phrase take on dangerous new meanings. A lyrical, absurdist journey on how to get over, get around, and get through what haunts you.
フィオナの息子が失踪してから丸2年が経過したが、彼女は今も戸惑っている。無関心な夫や無能な刑事、スーパーのレジで自分をアピールし続ける近所の誘拐犯にも解決の糸口は見出せない。フィオナは、解決の糸口となる失われた記憶の欠片を求めて、運命の日の記憶を掘り起こす。記憶を辿るにつれ、悲しみは喜劇の一面を帯び、平凡な言い回しは危険な別の意味を帯びてくる。自分を悩ませるものをどう乗り越え、どう回避し、どうやり過ごすか。叙情的で不条理な物語は、見る者の心を深く捉えるだろう。
Welcome to IN A WORD! You’re in for a deep, dark treat. It’s a gripping, poetic, surprisingly funny drama that delves into the complexities of grief, memory, and the search for closure. Centered on Fiona, a mother grappling with the disappearance of her young son two years prior, the story unfolds in a series of fragmented memories and surreal encounters. Lauren Yee has crafted a unique script that I find as emotionally poignant as it is linguistically thoughtful, with equal parts sharp humor and raw emotion...
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Brian Berdanier
Director's Note
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Karen Pauley
On behalf of Tokyo International Players (TIP), I am delighted to welcome you to our staged reading of IN A WORD by Lauren Yee. At TIP, we are committed to bringing a diverse range of stories to the stage, from the classical to the contemporary. This reading offers an opportunity to explore the work of one of today’s most exciting playwrights in an intimate setting, where the focus is on the language, the characters, and the emotions they carry...
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CAST
LOUISA MARSHALL
Fiona
Louisa Marshall, originally from London, is delighted to make her Tokyo debut with this production. Alongside studying theatre in Bristol, she has worked as an actor with various independent theatre companies, performing both new writing and published works, including a run at the Edinburgh Fringe this past summer. When she’s not performing, Louisa works as an English teacher, writes, and enjoys running and hiking. She’s grateful to be part of this talented cast and crew and can't wait to be on stage in Japan!
JACOB EVERETTS
Guy
Jacob is a former theatre teacher and stage director from Indiana, USA, and is ecstatic to work with TIP again. He has formerly performed in THE WIZARD OF OZ as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion with the touring group The Spirit of Oz (2010-2019), and with the 4th Wall Players in their productions of FRANKENSTEIN (2014), and THE HERE AND NOW (2017). Most recently he played Antonio in TIP's THE TEMPEST (2024). He is also a member of the International Thespian Society. Offstage, Jacob works in downtown Tokyo and enjoys writing, hiking, and drawing in his free time.
Alexander O'Malley
Man
Alexander studied BA Acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama before moving to Tokyo to teach English on the JET Programme. Originally from Yorkshire, he moved to London to study and lived there for four years before coming to Japan. This is his first year living in Japan and IN A WORD will be his first ever performance in the country. His previous plays at drama school include RICHARD II, ABSOLUTE HELL, HAMLET, AFTER THE FALL and CELEBRATION. He is excited to work with TIP for the first time in bringing this script to life.
CREW
Director
Brian Berdanier
Playwright
Lauren Yee
Stage Manager
India Hudson
Producer
Shinji Kobata
Lighting Designer
Xander Coleman
Costume Designer
Isabella Leonetti
Props Master
Kate Cwynar
Technical Supervisor
Jack Merluzzi
Box Office Manager
Saya Suetsugu
Front of House Manager
Saya Suetsugu
Front of House
Shinji Kobata
Publicity and Promotions
Carlos Quiapo
Show Photographer
Joe Pinner
SNS, Digital Program Photographer
Carlos Quiapo
Graphic Designers
Brian Berdanier
Carlos Quiapo
Digital Program Designer
Carlos Quiapo
Translator
Chieko Tanaka
Casting Associates
Karen Pauley
Michelle Yamazaki
TIP Liasions
Saya Suetsugu
Rachel Walzer
OUR SPONSORS
Patrons and Donors 2021-2025
Honorary Lifetime Patrons
Yoshi Allan
Fran & Don Dillon
Malcolm Duff
Susan Inman
Miranda Kenrick
Barbara Knode
Karen Sieg
Ivan Woodhouse
Gifts of ¥100,000 or more
Bob & Wendy Macdonald
Jeannette Ohmae
Michelle Wagley
Gifts of ¥10,000 to ¥99,000
Brian Berdanier
Jim & LaJuana Berdanier
Laura Bray Nakano
Joanna Chinen
Sylvie De Repentigny
Atsushi Ebuchi
Friends of Kate Prior
Nicolas Gregoriades
Kelly Haavaldsrud
Yuko Kasai
Steve & Sharon Knode
Takeshi Mayama
Maya Mori
Benjamin Porter
Saya Suetsugu
Rhonda Tezuka
TIP Youth
Michael Wagner
Rika Wakasugi
Mayuka Wake
Jeremy White
Sharon Yamakawa
Kazuko Inoue
Gifts up to ¥9999
Ursula Bartlett
Hugo Delacharlery
Ann Endo
Janet Fuentes
Dale Geyer
Irmgard Gregoriades
Scott Hernalsteen
Annis Miwa
Paul Pasion
Kenneth Sell
Patricia Wagner
Rachel Walzer
Tip Board 2024-2025
President: Karen Pauley
Vice President: Jon Reimer
Secretary: Zack Kobayashi
Treasurer: Chieko Tanaka
Brian Berdanier
Ashley Ellerman
Carlos Quiapo
Saya Suetsugu
Taylor Wanstall
Michelle Yamazaki
Advisors to the Board
Joan Chen
Scott Hernalsteen
Kazuko Inoue
Ann Jenkins
Shinji Kobata
Jack Merluzzi
Marty Pauley
Laura Pollacco
Rachel Walzer
