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A hybrid play led by Filipino director James Harvey Estrada is part of the Tokyo Festival 2021. The play titled フレ フレ (Fure fure) Ostrich! Hayupang Die-Bow-Ken! is an allegorical tale that takes inspiration from the realities in Asia.

James, who once was a writer-assistant director for Kapuso programs such as Inday Will Always Love You, Wagas, Karelasyon, and Tadhana, leads the directorial team that also includes Japanese directors Aokid and Masashi Nukata.

The play also has Asian performers from different countries, namely Bunny Cadag from the Philippines, Robi Rusdiana from Indonesia, and Mei Yamanaka from Japan.

Ostrich revolves around A-mat (Kapitan Amat), the ruler of Bayan ng Damo who uses his dreams to lead his people. His dreams are summoned by the mysterious powers of the healer and prophet, Ante.

However, when Ante passes away, A-mat loses his ability to dream and is left with one prophecy to act upon: “A one-eyed goat shall be born, bringing great misfortune to this land.”

Hence, A-mat orders his guards to search and kill every last pregnant goat.

James Harvey Estrada leads the hybrid play “Ostrich,” which is part of the Tokyo Festival 2021 / Source: @james.h.estrada (FB)

In case you're wondering where the ostrich enters the picture, the ostrich characters will actually interact with the audience as they look for eggs during the performances.

And yes, the ostrich characters in the play were inspired by the two ostriches that ran loose in the streets of Quezon City in August 2020, which eventually became the ultimate symbol of freedom.

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A post shared by James Harvey Estrada (@jeymsharbi)

In a statement given to GMANetwork.com, James discussed why Ostrich is a must-watch for Filipinos, especially with the upcoming 2022 elections.

“Ang 'フレフレ Ostrich!! Hayupang Die-Bow-Ken!' ay patungkol sa isang lider na si Kapitan Amat. Maaaring maging repleksyon ang likha kung paano nga ba pipili ng lider at kung paano (mamuno) ang lider na walang 'dream' para sa bayan,” he said.

James also said that the importance of voting is demonstrated through the interactive nature of the play.

“Importante ang pagboto sa likhang dula lalo na at interactive ito. Mayroong parte ng likha kung saan maaari kang bumoto sa nais mong mangyari kay Kapitan. Isa itong paanyaya na sa tunay na buhay natin gamitin natin ang kalayaang bumoto! Get out and vote! May kapasidad at kapangyarihan tayong baguhin ang nangyayari sa bansa.”

He also gave his two cents of using art as a tool to express one's political stance.

“Art will always be political. Whether you speak about politics or be silent about what is happening is a political stand.”

Interactive play “フレフレ Ostrich!! Hayupang Die-Bow-Ken!” will be streamed for free via Zoom / Source: Tokyo Festival website

The Filipino director then talked about how working on Ostrich was very much like being in a long-distance relationship (LDR).

“Ginawa itong likhang hybrid na parang ang mga collaborators ko ay ka-LDR o long distance relationship. Magkakaiba ng oras kasi Japan, Pilipinas at Indonesia at mahabang oras ng meeting sa zoom."

“May interpreter din kami bilang di naman lahat ay ingles na gamit na salita. Bagama't maraming hadlang pisikal, lenggwahe at kultura ang importante ay ninais naming magsama-sama.”

He also stated that staging a hybrid theater performance like Ostrich proved unity and ingenuity can help bridge the physical gap brought on by the pandemic.

“We name this kind of work Theater of Togetherness kasi may nasa Zoom nagre-rehearse, may on site o sa physical space nagre-rehearse. Tapos kapag pinanood, (mayroong) dalawang klase ng interactive participative na audience, online at onsite, at magkakaiba rin ang dynamics para sa bawat espasyo.

“Performing in three time zones at puwede ma-access ang Social Asia Theater all over the world kaya ang saya i-explore ang togetherness sa ganitong espasyo.”

James also said that the crisis presented by the pandemic, gave birth to an opportunity for them to reinvent performing arts as we know it.

“We meticulously craft the work that will have a very interesting audience experience. Kumbaga it is a proposal of what can a future of Performing Arts can be."

“Kung paano ang technology could bridge the physical gap and eventually create meaningful relationships para sa audience at performers and share stories together saan mang panig ng mundo.”

Performances of Ostrich will be streamed from the Minami-Otsuka Hall on Zoom until October 8.

You can watch it for free via Zoom but reservation is required. To reserve tickets, head to the link in the social media post below.

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