Festival Report フェスティバル レポート 2008

Comedy over the culture/ Rob Torres

Rob Torres, with charming red cap, has worked in among 43 countries in the world. Wherever he perform, audience laugh similarly. Needless to say, in Shizuoka.
He changes performance according to the culture he stands. For examples, in Europe or USA they don't take off their shoes but in Japan they do. Then, in Japan, he cuts out a process of "making room" on the stage. He had been in Japan for some years, so he knows well about Japanese.
And however it is changed, his comedy can make anyone laughing by his innocence and adorable act.
He may think audience as someone to play with? He seems to be good spirits anytime. That reminds me of my childhood.
(Nagapong)

Here Come the Prince of Balloon Art / Balloonperformer AKI

Balloonperformer AKI is a very handsome guy,
who has an exceptional ability
to make balloon arts faster than anyone in Japan.

Today, he performed 30 minutes.
I (author) thought it was not so long,
but he said, “to perform 30 minutes in front of the audience,
you need to practice more than 3 years.”
So I was very surprised to hear that.



He makes balloon arts really quickly, and the works are so cute!
When he was a child, his dream was to be a hairdresser.
One day, he saw a balloon show, and thought “oh, I think I can do it, too.”
So he started to practice it.
For the very first step,
he read a book about making balloons, and made a dog.
The dog was the first work ever of him.

Now, he can make about 300 kinds of balloon arts.

There was a competition of making balloon arts.
In that competition, he made a work
which is about 2 meters, constructed by 234 balloons.
It took him 23 hours to make the work.
Without doubt, he won the first prize.

Please come to DAIDOGEI and see his show!
The greatest surprises and pleasure are waiting for you!

(lwill)

Charmed by infinite potential　/ Yabe Ryo

"It's my fate to play diablos." says Yabe Ryo.
This year is 6th time of performance in Shizuoka and his first entry in the competition category so he is pumped up.

He was devoted to yo-yos in his childhood. But after he met diablos 11 years ago, he turned his style to diablos.
"Then there were few tricks with diablo so I made about 200 new tricks."
He might hardly think about his future as diablo player. It was "lucky, or fate" to continue playing with diablo what is only no descriptive plaything, and to be measured by surroundings.

Diablos appeal to Yabe Ryo on its showiness.
Balls or club juggling has fewer sorts of tricks as throw from the back or area between thighs. By diablos, folding strings or increase diablos... "Diablos have infinite growth potential." he said.

His top-line performance just as juggling 4 diablos make his cogency strong.
But his strong point is not only diablos.
He asked to assistant who is also dancer from 4 years ago, and aiming to play diablos as show, focuses on aspect, and action matched with the music.
Also he makes several shapes of diablos. He might pursue originality in his performance. For the future, he will interweave Japanese taste into his performance for the oversea.

And, Yabe have a dream to spread diablos. He wants to provide something make children lost themselves, to lead the diablo world.
For the purpose, he advertised diablos at the end of his show.

If you are interested, check the URL:

Yabe Ryo website
http://www.ryoyabe.com
Diablo Shop「RADFACTOR」
http://radfactor.shop-pro.jp

(sige&risa)

''I like you. I like you'' / Rudi Maccagi

''I like you. I like you.''
From the begging to the end, Rudi Maccagi was giving love for the audience.

He became the Champion of this event on 2003 with his partner but as for this year,
he took part in this event alone so many people were looking forward to being able to see and find 'New Rudi Maccagi' this year.

About participation as solo, he said ''I wanted to make my performance more acrobatic this year so that I came here alone this year.''
As he said, he showed us very acrobatic performances for us.
There were many acrobatic performances he showed but among them, the last performance was the most exciting performance.
He put some wine bottles on the floor, put a board, put some glasses on it, put a board again and finally he put a basketball on it.
Then, he stand on that ball upside down and surprisingly he put his hands off the ball!

''How do you want the audience to see you on your performance?'' we questioned.
''I want to be seen myself as it is that's why I don't even make up my face on my performances.'' He said.
We could feel his passion on his performances.
(勝)