Chekhov, Butoh and Actor Training — with You-Ri Yamanaka

Time: 2-4pm UK time | Location: on Zoom

(Image: Takehiko Hirabayashi)

Both Chekhov and Butoh have several significant aspects in common. When I teach acting or lead workshops, I commonly use retain Butoh elements. When I discovered Michael Chekov about twenty years ago, I was quite struck at how Chekhov clearly explained and defined in words what is practiced in Butoh and also in traditional Japanese theatre.

In acting training, what we pursue is universal : the question of “Do you really mean it?” In order to explore this idea, we must continue courageously on this endless journey.

This workshop combining both Butoh and Chekhov technique and philosophy, delved into the deep connection between our body, mind, soul, voice and text.

The workshop was open for anyone who has a passion for acting/performing/expressing themselves in any form and for creating a new open path.

You-Ri Yamanaka was born in Japan and has lived in the UK since 1995. She has been trained at LAMDA and Lecoq (by PhillipeGaulier) in the UK after completing an MA in directing at the Drama department at Royal Holloway University of London, also in Kabuki dance(traditional Japanese dance) and Butoh (avant-garde Japanese dance) in Japan for over 25 years. She encountered the Michael Chekhov technique in 2001 when she started her journey with it. You-Ri has been exploring the meeting points between the East and the West to find something universal in acting. She has taught at LAMDA, East 15, The London Dramatic Academy in the UK and at the New National Theatre Drama Studio in Tokyo Japan, Sophia University & Toyo University Japan and various theatres, high profile production companies and universities in Japan, as well as globally and most recently in Cairo, Egypt amongst many. She will be movement directing a new production for Royal Shakespeare Company under the direction of Phelim McDermott in 2022. You-Ri is also one of the founders of Michael Chekhov Europe.