(本事業は、科学研究費補助金 基盤研究(C) 「英語コミュニケーション力と協調的問題解決力を養成するドラマ教育の開発と体系化」17K04809の助成を受けています)
White Horse Theatreは、ドイツに拠点を置く、英語学習者対象の出張劇団です。同劇団は英国出身の若手俳優を擁し、1980年代からヨーロッパ各地ならびに日本・中国で子供から大人対象の本格的な演劇を出張公演しています。White Horse Theatreのレパートリーは、差別、異文化理解に関する本作品を含め、時代に左右されることのない人間社会の本質をえぐる作品が豊富です。全脚本を、かつて英語教員を務めたPeter Griffith氏が書き下ろしています。生き生きとした台詞はまさしく生きた教材です。場面に応じた分かりやすい台詞を聞いているうちに、それらが豊かで意味のあるインプットとなります。
芝居を演じている役者達は、ロンドンでの7日間にわたるオーディションを経て厳選された優秀な若手俳優です。しかも英語学習者対象という、自分たちの使命の自覚のもと、どんな役柄でも「本格的な演技」の範囲内で明瞭な発音、聞き取りやすいペースで発音します。また、舞台と俳優たちがつくりだすコンテクストにより、英語学習者にも容易に作品世界に入り、メッセージをつかみやすいことでしょう。
まずは、舞台を楽しんでください。観劇後、このドラマから異文化理解や交流について考えてみてください。
I had a lovely time working with the students! At first the students seemed a little shy to speak English themselves, however it was clear that they were understanding what we were saying. As the workshop began the students mentioned that they felt a little apprehensive about getting involved, but during the exercises I thought that they really came out of their shell participating and concentrating throughout. The students were very involved by the end of the workshop and started to speak English with Confidence describing their thoughts on cultural difference in front of the whole group. I found this to be such an amazing achievement! It was such a rewarding experience to see this change and I hope that the students found the workshop useful for their future encounters with the English language.
All my best,
Erin-Mae
学生からの寄稿1
ドイツに拠点を置き、英語学習者向けの出張劇団であるWhite Horse Theatreの劇、Neighbours with Long teethが、10月24日に記念館2階の地下ホールにて行われました。この作品は、主要人物となるスミス一家の隣に、吸血鬼が引っ越してくることから物語が始まります。スミス夫妻は、隣人が吸血鬼であることを知ると、怯えてしまうのですが、彼らの息子であるリックは、怯えるどころか、吸血鬼の娘フィリシアに好意を抱き始めます。
人種の差別や、考え方の違う両親との対立や、初々しさが感じられる恋愛など、私たちも実際に経験したような事も劇中で描かれ、微笑ましくもありながら、問題に真摯に向き合おうと思うようになった作品でした。また、英語も聞き取りやすく、観客を物語の中に引込むような役者の方々の演技だったため、初めて英語劇を鑑賞する人でも楽しむことができました。
昼休みの後に開催されたワークショップでは、前半に体を使っての自己紹介や、歩きながら英語での指示を聞き、指示に合わせた動作をする、喜怒哀楽を指定された割合で表現する練習といった、頭も働かせながら体を動かすアクテビティーを行いました。
後半では、昼前に行われた劇のテーマや内容について簡単に振り返り、役者の方々を含めた3~5人のグループに分かれ、英語で意見交換。参加した学生は、和気あいあいとした雰囲気で役者さん達と交流を深めていました。そして、振り返ったテーマから一つを選び、小芝居しました。どのグループも個性のある内容で、とても面白かったです。
最後に、White Horse Theatreの役者さんと職員の方々に總持寺の中を御案内。案内している途中でも、皆さんと世間話などをしてさらに交流を深め、和やかな雰囲気で1日を締めくくりました。
私にとっても初めての英語劇鑑賞だったのですが、物語の世界観や流暢な英語の発音を直接肌で感じて耳にすることができたので、見入って時間が経つのがあっという間に感じられました。こちらの劇団は、日本でも何度か公演されるとのことなので、来年度以降も時間を作って観劇に行きたいです!
(浅山郁美 4年生)
学生からの寄稿2
1) The story
Even though some people may already have realized what the “Long Teeth” means, the story starts the scene when Richard (Rick) who is a teenage son of humans falls in love with Phylthia who is a daughter of vampires. They tried to be together as same as other human couples, however Rick’s parents (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) did not think that it was a good idea because being with her would disturb their high expectations on their son’s future. In addition, their prejudice for vampires also interrupted the relationship between Rick and Phylthia. Consequently, he argued with them and decided to leave the house.
After leaving the house, he went to her house (as she actually tempted him to get into there). But he felt confusion as there were two coffins in the room instead of any furniture and she drunk strange red drink in front of him. Then, one of the coffins started shaking and so she pressed him get in another coffin. At the same time when Rick closed the coffins door, her father came out of his coffin. He can be said that Vampire version of Rick’s father because he respects vampire tradition. Even though, he needs to take humans blood into his body, the style differs from modern vampires like his daughter. He went out somewhere else to find blood to suck (By the way, at this scene, there was an opportunity for students to join the play. Since my friend got the chance and she said it was fun after the show, so you will get a great experience like her when you are eager to do it).
Surprisingly, Mr. Smith trespassed her house to find his son and he appeared in front of the two, but he thought that he became a vampire as he stayed with her and he fainted. After that, his wife also entered the house without any permission to find Rick, but she fainted soon after she found his husband. Despite the situation, Phylthia respirated them quickly and they could recover. Although Mr. and Mrs. Smith guessed that we became vampires as they were kissed by a vampire, it was just a guess.After that, they sang a song together and it leads to the end of the show.
2) Review
This play features not only the importance of cross-cultural communication but other various things such as a generation gap (between Rick and his parents), so every audience may have different impressions after watching the play. For me, the most impressive scene is when Phylthia was staring by other people at a pub. After all, he screamed at them and left there. In fact, since I had a similar experience when I entered a place where there was no Asians in a foreign country, I did not think that it was another person’s problem. After the show, I tried to think of the feelings of the people who stared at me. Then, I found that the people may had anxiety or interesting which is based on race for me as I was a stranger, but all that kind of things can be happened anytime and anywhere as long as people do not understand and respect other cultures well. To conclude, I could think about why cross-cultural communication is important again through this drama.
3) Advice
If you are interested in English plays after reading above my review, I recommend you take part in many English activities aggressively. For first time, it may be difficult to understand all, but actors act with slow and clear English. Thus, it will be a good exercise to improve your listening skill. In particular, there may be very few opportunities to watch (Free!) English play in Japan, so you should not miss any chances.
Finally, I deeply appreciate everyone who read my long paragraph.
(Katsunori Ishii, the 4th year student)
学生からの寄稿3
We joined an English derma workshop on Wednesday 24th October at 1:30 PM in Kinenkan ball Tsurumi University. Some students who joined the workshop got nervous.
First, we introduced our self after made circle, and we took action: “go”, “stop”, “jump” or “crap”. I got mixed up, for instructors who were group members said the reverse. Next, we talked about the drama in the morning. All participants played one scene at the drama. After that, we made 4 groups that each group should be in one of being in one of the group members. All small groups played role in a simple skit after they choose one theme from debated the drama. We also discussed each characteristic between Japan and the UK. I've never known Passengers on a bus in London spend the time to be quiet. It resembles in Japan. Finally, all group members and students shared each impression from the drama to the workshop. At that time students looked very enjoyable. Instructors gave them pictures with a sign. I appreciate you. Thank you very much. White house theater gave me some energy. I had a great time.
I also guided Sojiji after the workshop. Group members got breathing while seeing lots of buildings. I got used to use that place for going to a high school. It was relaxing for me to take a walk occasionally. I wish I go to Germany where is the group capital or to England where is their home.
(Yuto Nakanishi, the 4th year student)