Five Cambodian artists, among them Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle), Chy Lina, Khon Chansithyka (Mo) and Khon Chansina (Nan) from Amrita, have been rehearsing with director Amon Miyamoto on his upcoming production, “The Terrace of the Leper King”, written by the iconic Japanese author by Yukio Mishima. They were invited to collaborate with Japanese actors to revive the glamor of the Khmer empire through Apsara dancing, a classical style dating back to the Angkorean era.
Cambodian dancers with Japanese director Amon Miyamoto
Amon Miyamoto is one of Japan’s leading theater directors and is now focusing more on Japanese tradition with contemporary flair. His latest work, “The Terrace of the Leper King”, is set in the Khmer Empire of the 12th century. The play follows the story of the rise and the fall of Jayavarman the Seventh, the empire’s most powerful leader. While dedicating himself to building a grand temple he was deformed by disease. It questions whether the soul or a youthful body can represent timeless beauty. “The Terrace of the Leper King” will premiere in early March in Tokyo.
If you want to watch a short reportage about this groundbreaking piece, click here.
Amrita dancer Chy Lina
