FRANCESCA LE LOHÉ
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THE鍵KEY

THE鍵KEY website
日本語

An award-winning, site-specific opera, inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki's novel “The Key” 

wonderfully and meticulously crafted piece"
​
Schmopera​
an inspired synergy between words, music, visuals and space"
Opera magazine
​an intellectually and sensually stimulating experience"
Mercure des Arts
‘20 years of marriage yet, I can’t speak with my wife’

But the husband is desperate to discuss their mutually unfulfilling sex life. 
When he notices his wife paying attention to Kimura, a man they intended to set up with their daughter, he is surprised to finds he enjoys feeling jealous.

He writes about this in his diary and subtly encourages his wife to read it.
Thus begins a new marriage with the couple communicating their feelings and fantasies tacitly through their diaries.
When their daughter discovers these diaries, she and Kimura cooperate to turn her parents' wishes into reality.

​ However, as their actions become riskier, the couple’s new-found fulfilment threatens to be tragically cut short...
Music and words by Francesca Le Lohé with excerpts from Junichiro Tanizaki’s original in Japanese.

Audiences are invited to peer into the private lives of this complex family as they struggle 
with communication, intimacy, gender expectations and changing cultural identities.

The intimate drama unfolds through an exciting combination of Japanese and Western art-forms. Each character, portrayed by a trio, performs in separate rooms of a house. Audiences become voyeurs, moving freely around and eavesdropping on these small ensembles of singers, a dancer, and Japanese and Western instruments.
Winner of the "19th Keizo Saji Prize" (2019) awarded by The Suntory Foundation for the Arts
​The concepts of Francesca Le Lohé, who is responsible for both composition and direction, fit perfectly in the keyhole provided by “The Key.”

Morihide Katayama, Keizo Saji Prize Committee Member
Learn more about THE鍵KEY's creation, development and those involved at the opera's dedicated website

Productions to date

Find out more about each run of performances by clicking on the images 
Picture

Tokyo 2018

Francesca Le Lohe · THE鍵KEY_Tokyo 2018: World Premiere
​​
​World premiere

​19th May 2018

Nakacho House, Tokyo
Staged by: ‘Kagi’ Project Executive Committee
Supported by: The Mutomai Fund for Music Creation, Education and Research and Kickstarter donators
Cooperation: Arts Access “Otomachi”
Whole Hog Theatre 
Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation




Picture

Tokyo 2019

Francesca Le Lohe · THE鍵KEY_Tokyo 2019: Revised Premiere

​​Awarded the "19th Keizo Saji Prize"

19th - 26th May 2019
​Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier​
Staged by: ‘Kagi’ Project Executive Committee
Supported by: Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
and the
Japan Arts Council (Japan Arts Fund)
Cooperation: Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture, Ueno-Sakuragi Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier,
NPO Taito Cultural and Historical Society, 
Arts management group 'Yanaka no Okatte', 

Whole Hog Theatre



Picture

London 2019

Francesca Le Lohe · THE鍵KEY: 2019 UK Premiere

​Tête a Tête: The Opera Festival 2019
3rd - 4th August 2019
10 Tollgate Drive, London
Staged by: ‘Kagi’ Project Executive Committee
In partnership with Japan Foundation, Mu Arts, Azuki Foundation and Powell Tuck Associates

Supported by: Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Arts Council England, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation,
RVW Trust

Cooperation: Tête a Tête: The Opera Festival,
Southbank Sinfonia, London Festival of Architecture,
Whole Hog Theatre

Official event of the Japan-UK Season of Culture

In cooperation with

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  • News
  • Biography
  • Works
  • Community/Education
  • Contact
  • 日本語
    • プロファイル
    • 作品
    • コミュニティ・教育
    • お問い合わせ