Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey (2024-2025)
Text by: Sandy Grierson & Matthew Lenton
Japanese Translation & Dramaturgy: Nozomi Abe
Venue: Japan / UK Tour
Company: Vanishing Point
Conceived, Staged & Directed by: Matthew Lenton
Associate Direction: Sandy Grierson
Scenography: Kei Ishihara/BlankRD
Lighting Design: Simon Wilkinson
Sound Design & Composition: Mark Melville
Costume Design: Sacico Ito / BRüCKE
Hair, Wigs & Make Up Design: Eri AkamaTSu / ESPER
Puppet Design & Making: Ailie Cohen
Associate Artist: Joanna Bowman
Production Manager: Niall Black
Production Electrician: Maki Ueyama (Japan), Josh Brown (UK)
Lighting Programmer: Katsura Inada
Photographer: Mihaela Bodlovic
Press Quotes
Together the scenographers (Kei Ishihara and BlankRD) and lighting designer (Simon Wilkinson) have designed the production with a sumptuousness and intelligence that express visually the beautiful, dream-like quality of the piece.
A near-perfect coming together of text, staging and performance,
Mark Brown, Sunday National
The monkey tells the writer sad tales about his strange life caught between the animal and human worlds; some of which begin - often literally, in Simon Wilkinson’s beautiful lighting design - to throw light on the other strands of the narrative.
A stunning piece of total theatre
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Rarely have I seen such dynamic attention to how light and effect can merge with the theatrical intention on display. It happens from the beginning where the curtain of light that diagonally cuts off our vision of the rest of the stage is used beautifully to introduce us to the performers. It emerges as a snap not a fade and what we are treated to thereafter is a combination of fading into the lurking shadows alongside a visual theatrical language that doesn’t just intrigue it also questions the way we’re looking at ourselves
Donald Steward, Fringe Review
The physical aspects of the production are remarkable. The set is stripped back and at times appears to dissipate into the fog, not by magic, but through the cast’s skilful staging and innovative use of light and depth. This creates an experience that feels cinematic and otherworldly. Notably, with a few deft movements and some clever lighting design by Simon Wilkinson, a sewer opening transforms into a steaming onsen.
a gorgeous fusion of style and substance. Kei Ishihara and Blankrd’s ice-cool scenography is key to this, as is Mark Melville’s seismic score and Simon Wilkinson’s other worldly lighting.
Neil Cooper, The Herald
A theatrically gorgeous show
Bathed in Simon Wilkinson’s dusty orange lights, the stage occupies a space between night and day, wake and sleep
Mark Fisher, The Guardian
Lenton’s endlessly imaginative, impressively slick production unfolds like a dream. Simon Wilkinson’s gorgeous lighting casts stark shadows, from which a paraphernalia of puppets and props suddenly emerge, evoking blossom-strewn parks, snowy mountainsides and steamy bathrooms.
Fergus Morgan, The Stage
The sort-of story swirls around the misty stage, gorgeously lit by Simon Wilkinson
Anna Burnside, Across The Arts
