Japanese comedy at ACP reflects effects of globalisation on country

The ongoing 38-day World Culture Festival Karachi being held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi (ACP) offered a performance by Japanese theater group GOMBO on its 10th day on Saturday.

The Japanese group performed a comedy drama titled ‘Are You Lovin’ It?’ in English at the Auditorium I of the ACP. The stunning performance by Japanese actors had the hall echoing with laughter. The play was directed by Kayo Tamura and featured a talented cast including Nono Miyasaka, Ryo Nishihara and Kenichi Mabuchi.

The comedy drama revolved around the impact of Western culture on the Japanese civilisation, which was expressed symbolically through the lens of dark comedy.

Set in a fictional theme park called Walk Donald's Land, the play used the fast food industry as a metaphor to highlight globalisation and its impact on contemporary Japanese society. The story shed light on various societal issues Japan faces today, blending traditional theatre techniques like Kabuki and Japanese swordplay with modern pop culture elements such as Gothic Lolita. The unique production offered the audience a vivid glimpse into contemporary Japanese culture.

A music concert was also held at the ACP on Saturday at its Jaun Elia Lawn. The concert was titled ‘Mega Concert 2.0’ and drew a massive crowd of music enthusiasts.

The performers included renowned musicians and bands such as Bayan, Aashir Wajahat, Mai Dhai, DJ Natalia, Shahzaib Ali, Mustafa Baloch, Ghuman Band, Ali Mohammad and Sattar Jogi. Their captivating performances left the audience spellbound with the crowd swaying to the beats.

The festival will continue at the ACP until November 2. Its tickets can be purchased from the ACP and ticketwala.com. Geo and the Jang group are the media partners of the ACP for the event.