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Banner image for CORPUS & Kio Company's Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time). Photo and text on a black background. To the left are three actors, costumed as wolves. To the right is a woman, costumed as a white crane, including a white origami crane atop her head. A red circle in the background behind her bears the title of the show in white and black font.
Photo and text on a black background, with the title Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time) in white and black font within a red circle. To the bottom right is a photo of a woman, costumed as a white crane, in a white flowing dress with wing-like sleeves and a white origami crane atop her head.
Photo: CORPUS. Photo by Yoshikazu Inoue.

Wolf meets Crane Wolf meets Crane

in a tale that combines Japanese & Western storytelling traditions.

Photo: Kaitlin Torrance. Photo by Yoshikazu Inoue.

Home Events Performance CORPUS presents: Mukashi, Mukashi

CORPUS presents: Mukashi, Mukashi

CORPUS Dance Projects, in association with Japan’s The Kio Company, presents the North American premiere of Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time). Conceived and directed by CORPUS Artistic Director David Danzon and created with the ensemble, it will play at The Theatre Centre from Tuesday, Sep. 24 – Sunday, Sep. 29, 2024. Speaking to children and adults alike, the story blends the poetic and intriguing world of Japanese folk tales with the dark and comedic undertones of Western fairy tales – where Wolf meets Crane with a playful twist and cross-cultural sensibility.

“Both the Wolf and the Crane carry deep roots in the collective consciousness of their respective cultures. We set out to adapt two of their most popular stories mixing traditional and contemporary theatre forms in ways that we feel will entice Toronto audiences. It’s been my privilege to have spent many years working in Japan, and working with Japanese artists to inform the process of Mukashi, Mukashi specifically. Many Japanese art forms are very rooted in the body, and approached with such rigour and respect for tradition – something that aligns with both my personal interests and the values of CORPUS.”

– David Danzon, Artistic Director, Co-creator & Director

First premiering in 2023 at Japan’s Toyooka Theatre Festival, Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time) combines traditional and contemporary Japanese art forms (Origami, Kyōgen, Bunraku, Manga) with Western pantomime and the comedy traditions of Looney Tunes cartoons and TV talk shows to explore the unlikely meeting and subsequent interaction between two iconic fairy tale characters from Western and Japanese folklore: the Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and the Crane from The Gratitude of the Crane. The piece is presented in English and Japanese with English surtitles and is recommended for audiences aged 6 and older.

Photo of a man on stage, costumed as a wolf, a fur hood covering his head and shoulders as he bends slightly toward us, elbows bent and palms facing upward as he speaks to us.

(Photo credits: CORPUS; Kohey Nakadachi in Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time). Top banner: Kohey Nakadachi, Sakura Korin, Takako Segawa & Kaitlin Torrance. Photos by Yoshikazu Inoue.)

 

About CORPUS Dance Projects

Co-founded in 1997 by Sylvie Bouchard and David Danzon, CORPUS is an award-winning Toronto-based dance theatre company that combines movement with theatrical imagery in productions presented at both traditional and unusual locations for large and diverse audiences. Known for its surrealist humour, CORPUS has performed across Canada and around the world – and is particularly acclaimed in Japan, where the company has performed annually since 2008. International hits include Les moutons, La bulle and Divine Interventions; and their work can also be seen on television and on film. They also co-created, with Treehouse TV, 4 Square, a popular educational television series for preschoolers. For eight years, CORPUS produced Dusk Dances, a popular summer outdoor dance festival set in urban public parks. Now an independent festival, Dusk Dances remains a popular event in Toronto and throughout Ontario.

Photo of a woman, costumed as a white crane, in a white flowing dress with wing-like sleeves and a white origami crane atop her head. She sits with knees bent and arms gently outstretched on a black stage in front of two moveable screens set side by side.

(Photo credit: CORPUS; Kaitlin Torrance in Mukashi, Mukashi (Once upon a time). Photo by Yoshikazu Inoue.)

 

Event details

Hosted by: A CORPUS Dance Projects production, in association with The Kio Company, an Osaka theatre company producing works for young audiences

Conceived and directed by: David Danzon

Created with the ensemble: Kohey Nakadachi, Sakura Korin, Takako Segawa & Kaitlin Torrance

Type of event: dance & theatre performance

Dates: Tuesday, September 24 – Sunday, September 29, 2024

Start times:

  • Tuesday – Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET;
  • Saturday & Sunday matinees @ 2:00 PM ET. 
  • There will be a post-show discussion following the performance on Thursday, September 26.

Duration: Approximately 60 minutes (no intermission).

Cost:

  • Tuesday, September 24: Pay what you can C$15.00 – $40.00
  • Wednesday, September 25 – Sunday, September 29: C$44.50 regular; $20.50 for students, seniors and arts workers

Location: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M6J 1J1

Trailer: Watch the trailer here.

Booking link: Book your tickets here. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the box office at 416-538-0988.

Contact Details: CORPUS Dance Projects, 805 Dovercourt Rd., #300, Toronto, ON, M6H 2X4, Canada; info@corpus.ca, corpus.ca

Content warning: For audiences 6+.

Accessibility: The Theatre Centre is physically accessible to audiences and artists alike. Each level has a barrier-free washroom and there’s a lift available for public use. If you have questions or need specific accommodations, please email or call the box office at 416-538-0988 and they’ll do their best to help you out. While the box office staff is working from home there will not be anyone on site to answer the phone. Leave a message and they will endeavour to return your call within 24 hours. More info here. 

COVID-19 policy: Info here.