Written by Shirley Van Sanden

Directed by Monica Main

Featuring Brian Liau, Rhoda Lopez, Monica Main, Ian Toyne, Shirley Van Sanden

Live Piano by Mark Turton

 

Thurs 14 August @ 6pm

Sun 17 August @ 4.30pm * includes Talkback after show

Wed 20 August @ 9.15pm

Fri 22 August @ 7.15pm

Sat 23 August @ 3.45pm

Venue # 8 The Theatre at The 14th St Y

 

“Even a hunter cannot kill a bird which flies to him for refuge.”

 

A chance meeting between a child and a diplomat leads to a lifeline that saves thousands.

 

The Warrior and the Princess is an extraordinary story of courage about the sacrifice of one for the lives of many. Set during the Second World War, this highly innovative work is a story of hope that shatters preconceived stereotypes.

 

The Warrior and the Princess is an immersive theatrical experience blending live action with shadow play, puppetry, and live piano accompaniment.

 

1939: Kiyoshi Yoshida begins his post as the Japanese vice-consul in Lithuania. Nazi Germany invades Poland. World War II begins.

 

In the wake of the Nazi invasion, Jewish refugees, Anna and her uncle Jakub, flee Poland for Lithuania. As the war progresses and the Allied forces strike back, the Soviet Union and Germany threaten to invade Lithuania. With borders closing, the refugees are desperate; their future looks dire whichever force may invade.

 

The Warrior and the Princess is a unique reimagining of true events, showing us that even in times of war there is no black and white and that -

 

“…each person must be judged on their character and nothing else.”

 

REVIEWS

“A fascinating story, presented in spellbinding fashion, The Warrior and the Princess brings a message from the past for those with ears to hear.”

Nerida Dickinson ArtsHub

 

“This tale has interwoven several fascinating story threads…with several well-observed characters and plenty of humour to give whole performance a sparkle.”

Gordon Johnston Theatre Australia

 

“ ... the clever use of the overhead projector…was an inspired piece of design. Poignant motifs of birds and kendo patterns helped weave various plot points and concepts together into a unified whole.”

Nerida Dickinson ArtsHub

 

“Under the directorship of Monica Main, the performance is slick, exciting and fascinating. The blending of the genres worked superbly. This is not a gruesome tale, but one that will be understood and enjoyed by children from 12 upwards.”

Gordon Johnston Theatre Australia

 

“Shirley Van Sanden has taken the story of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews in World War II Lithuania, and fashioned an inventively told and moving tale of universal human sympathy and courage.”

David Zampatti The West Australian

 

“The Warrior and the Princess did not disappoint. The play cuts back and forth across countries and time which could potentially be confusing in a stage production, but the actors switch from role to role remarkably quickly, and the projected puppetry adds a really delightful element, working wonderfully in keeping you on track. “

Jelena Maticevic WeLovePerth

 

For more Review Highlights see Past Productions - The Warrior and The Princess 

 

Biographies of the team.

 

MONICA MAIN – Director/Design/Performer


Victorian College of the Arts graduate 1986. Monica is an award winning actor & voice over artist, writer, director, improviser, corporate performer and MC. 2008 Equity Guild Award for services to the WA Professional Performing Arts.  Her Directing and Producing credits include Fifty Shades of Black: Director, co-creator Yorga Waabiny Productions & Yirra Yaakin Theatre Co, FringeWorld (2013), Kimberley Performing Arts Centre Broome (2013), Platform @ La Mama Courthouse (2013), The Warrior & the Princess: Director Blue Moose The Blue Room Theatre (2012), Black as Michael Jackson; Director, Dramaturge, Designer
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Co (2012), Navigating Rose; Writer, Director, Designer, the WA Maritime Museum (2009). The Spook; Co-Produced for Logos Productions at PICA, (2009).  Monica's One Woman play The Insect Spinster had 2 sell-out Perth seasons and toured to the Hong Kong Fringe Festival and La Mama in Melbourne. In Sept 2010 she performed her one woman show A Germ of an Idea at the inaugural Sydney Fringe Festival and presented a 3week season in June 2011 at The BlueRoom Theatre.  As a voice over artist, Monica has done - over 1000 campaigns and is a Golden Stylus Award winner. 


SHIRLEY VAN SANDEN – Writer/ Design/Performer 

Shirley is an actor, writer, producer and director. Her commissioned work has been in Theatre for Young People with Barking Gecko Theatre Company (1001 Nights, Ghost Train, Hidden Dragons, Trains of Thought), Spare Parts Puppet Theatre (Grendel and the Gladiator) and Wildflowers in Focus for The Adorable Florables at Kings Park. Her adult plays produced by independent theatre companies include "Two Loud Slopey Chicks" and "The Hand and other creeping tales..." both Directed by Monica Main; and "Heartworm".  Shirley is a 3 times AWGIE (Australian Writers Guild) Award Nominee :"Hidden Dragons"(2005), "Trains of Thought" (2007) and "The Warrior and The Princess" (2013).  She won the WA Equity Guild Award for Best Actor, Female for her role in "Hidden dragons" and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Female for her role in "Gertrude Stein and a Companion" at the Performing Arts WA Awards 2014.  She has toured nationally and internationally several times with various companies. 

  IAN TOYNE – Performer


Ian’s Perth appearances have included Company and Rough Crossing at the Playhouse; The Seagull and The Glass Menagerie at the Hole in the Wall; Under Milkwood and Zen and Now at Swy Theatre; Romeo and Juliet and Bratwurst and Damper with Deckchair; Amadeus at His Majesty’s Theatre; and Me and My Girl and Annie Get Your Gun (Peach). He featured in the Perth Theatre Company’s The Goat, and Baby Boomer Blues. He toured Australasia in Les Misérables and Mamma Mia. He has featured in Sydney and Melbourne in Aspects of Love, Scrooge the Musical, Sweet Charity, Showboat, Follies, Into the Woods, Romeo and Juliet and Kafka’s Dick. He spent two years with the New England Theatre Company and appeared in Bluey Koala, Pinocchio and Who was Harry Larsen? Ian’s film and television appearances have included Neighbours, a Country Practice, Blue Heelers, Janus, Genie From Down Under, Crush, AE2 Gallipoli Submarine, The Circuit, Three Acts of Murder and The Great Escape – The Reckoning. Ian has been a proud MEAA member for twenty-nine years.
  
  BRIAN LIAU - Performer


Brian has been acting professionally since 2004, both on screen and on stage. He has thrilled children of all ages as characters from famous children's books, made adults cry as part of The Hotbed Programme which toured the sold out production of "The Laramie Project" and made everyone else roar with laughter as a standup finalist for the RAW Comedy Competition TWICE.
He has won Best Actor at a short film festival, received a special mention from The West Australian where he was described as "a hoot" and the first short film he made for a national competition in Singapore won Best Art Direction and Best Screenplay in 2011.
Brian has worked with the best in the stage and film industry both in Australia and in Singapore.  In 2014, he was nominated for a Performing Arts WA Award for his role in "The Warrior and The Princess'.
  

  RHODA LOPEZ- Performer


A proud member of Equity since 2003, and currently the recipient of the WA Equity Guild Best Actor (Female) Award for her title role in Lorelei by Deckchair Theatre, Rhoda is constantly looking to keep honing her craft as a performer. In 2012 Rhoda was in the premiere season of The Warrior and The Princess.  2013 saw her play a feisty Latina (Motherf*cker With the Hat), an obedient Filipina wife (Pluck!), an iconic French singer (Madame Piaf), a proud Cockney wench (Playhouse Creatures), a witch and a Lady in Macbeth, a sour baker in Scent Tales that toured WA, and singing with The Sirens (a roving musical act). 2014 will see her reprise some roles, but also some new ones in The Night Guardian for Fringe World Festival, and in A Streetcar Named Desire for Black Swan Theatre Co. With training in Certificate II and a BA in Music Theatre at WAAPA, Rhoda also has screen credits including The Great Mint Swindle (Channel 9), Marx and Venus (SBS) and StreetSmartz (Channel 9). Rhoda thanks those who continue to support the arts!


MARK TURTON - Musician 


Mark Turton is a professional musician/pianist currently working in Perth Western Australia as an accompanist for the dance department at WAAPA and the WA Ballet Co . He has composed and performed for a range of Theatre and Dance productions (2004-13).  Mark’s recent productions include composer/performer John Curtin College of the Arts (contemporary dance performance 2013) music director for Kindly Leave the Stage; Oh Want a Lovely Cruise; The Good Companions; Jack and the Beanstalk (2004-08 Total Theatre Co) and performer composer for Showtime (Collaboration with Phillippa Clarke Fremantle Arts Centre 2005).  In 2000 Mark wrote, produced and composed for the play A Strong Left Hand which had a successful critically acclaimed 2 week season at the Rechabites Hall, Perth.   In 1989-92, he composed and performed the recorded music series Music for Dance (with Wency D’Sousa); which has been used by dance schools and companies throughout Australia.

PAULA COOPS – Stage Manager
Paula is a Stage Manager extraordinaire having worked  on more productions than most have had take away meals. In addition Paula was nominated for a 2014 Performing Arts WA Award for Best Director for her work on "The Guys" (Classis Works). 

 

REVIEWS

nytheatre now

The Warrior and The Princess
by Wendy Coyle · August 17, 2014

A piano and a fedora-wearing musician set the mood with 1930s favorites as the house fills. Songs like Ain’t Misbehavin, Dream a Little Dream of Me and Someone to Watch Over Me foreshadow the story line and will be themes. A three-panel Japanese rice paper wall marks center stage and will be used as entrance and exit doors and for projections and shadow puppets. Two suitcases, a man’s overcoat and hat are props. Soon, bunraku-style Japanese puppets, shadow puppets, origami animals and a gifted troupe from Australia will turn these into a heartwarming multicultural tale that spans 60 years and several continents.

Adapted from the real life of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who defied his superiors and followed his own conscience during World War II to issue visas that saved 6,000 Jewish lives, we see his life (in this adaptation he is called Kiyoshi) in multiple scenes from childhood in Japan to his last years in Japan. Kiyoshi, played with a mix of power and gentleness by Brian Liau, is the “warrior” of the title and takes to heart the Samurai maxim, “Even a hunter cannot kill a bird which flies to him for refuge.” When he enters government service, he swears loyalty to his superiors and accepts another Japanese maxim, “The boss is always right.”

Assigned as Consul to Lithuania in 1939, Kiyoshi encounters a Jewish refugee and his niece, survivors of a pogrom, who run a puppet show on the street. Kiyoshi is captivated by Jakob and the niece Anna, whom he calls “princess.” They become friends and Kiyoshi becomes aware of the Jewish plight. As the war displaces more and more with nowhere to run, he asks his superiors in Japan for permission to get them out by issuing visas. He is refused.

As Kiyoshi’s two codes conflict, a helpless bird that has flown in and out of the story using shadow puppets, origami and sound effects comes to symbolize the plight of the refugees as well as Kiyoshi’s inner conflict. In one memorable scene Kiyoshi writes yet another telegraphic plea to Japan, slowly folds the paper into a white origami bird and attaches it to a black wire. In slow motion his assistant wafts the wand across the stage into the hands of his evil bunraku puppet boss who unhooks it, then tosses it to the ground.

The Warrior and the Princess is a delightful show put together by a highly skilled ensemble that plays multiple characters, creates and works puppets, directs light and sound. Shirley Van Sanden has written a beautiful script while piano, costumes and sound effects are perfect. The multi-talented Monica Main, Mark Turton, Rhoda Lopez, Ian Toyne, Brian Liau and the crew create more theater enchantment in one hour plus than many companies do in three times that.

 

MARK SAVITT, Hi Drama: THE WARRIOR AND THE PRINCESS

Written by Shirley Van Sanden

Directed by Monica Main

 

The Warrior and the Princess is a fable inspired by the true story of Chiune Sugihara. Here, the Japanese diplomat is named Yoshida (Brian Liau), a man who goes against his boss' orders and provides exit visas for over 6,000 Jewish refugees fleeing both the Nazis and the Soviets in Lithuania, 1939.  The Princess is Anna, (Rhoda Lopez) a sensitive, artistic young girl whose mom was killed in Poland and has fled there with her uncle Jakub (Ian Toyne) to work with him in  a puppet theatre in Lithuania..  Yoshida’s German assistant Johanna (Monica Main) is also very helpful in helping the refugees.  As she says, “Everyone should be judged only on their individual characters.”  Music, an essential part of the show, mostly Debussy and Gershwin, is provided by pianist Mark Turton.  Yoshida’s character represents a great combination of traditional Japanese Samurai virtues (honesty, loyalty, courage etc.) and modern international interests – American baseball and Pushkin poetry.  Among the inventive and endearing puppets used by this creative troupe, an inflexible boss and a very frisky dog are standouts.  There is also great beauty and delicacy to their use of shadow play.  The total effect is both moving and exhilarating.  This is what theatre should be but rarely is.1939. The princess is Anna (Rhoda Lopez) a sensitive, artistic young girl 1939. The princess is Anna (Rhoda Lopez) a sensitive, artistic young girl  1939. The princess is Anna (Rhoda Lopez) a sensitive, artistic young girl Brian Liau), a man who goes against his boss' orders and provides exit visas for over 6,000 Jewish refugees fleeing both the Nazis and the Soviets in Lithuania, 1939. The princess is Anna (Rhoda Lopez) a sensitive, artistic young girl whose mom was killed in Poland and has fled there with her uncle Jakub (Ian Toyne) to work with him in a puppet theater in Lithuania. Yoshida's German assistant Johanna (Monica Main) is also very helpful in helping the refugees. As she says, "Everyone should be judged only by their individual characters." Music, an essential part of the show, mostly Debussy and Gershwin, is provided by pianist Mark Turton. Yoshida's character represents a great combination of traditional Japanese Samurai virtues (honesty, loyalty, courage,etc) and modern international interests -- American baseball and Pushkin poetry. Among the inventive and endearing puppets used by this creative troupe, an inflexible boss and a very frisky dog are standouts. There is also great beauty and delicacy to their use of shadow play. The total effect is both moving and exhilarating. This is what theater should be, but rarely is.

 

 

 

For Information/Tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org