Basil Twist

Audacious theatre artist and puppeteer Basil Twist collaborates with master musician Yumiko Tanaka on a spectacular visual journey inspired by the Japanese art of dogugaeshi.

As more than 100 handpainted gilt and paper panels unfold, revolve and slide, images from both ancient and contemporary Japan are revealed. Bamboo thickets, soaring bridges and dense cityscapes materialise while wide-eyed foxes with drooping moustaches dance mid-air.

Drawing on an ancient tradition that involves the creation of beautiful illusions through perspective, Dogugaeshi layers brilliant puppetry with video projection and electronic sound to give this rarely seen craft a contemporary spin. In keeping with Japanese puppetry performances, the musical accompaniment is played live on a three-stringed shamisen.