Dance Base Yokohama / Conan Amok / “R/evolution(s)”
This summer, Dance Base Yokohama (DaBY), which was established in 2020, is launching an international collaboration with Dance Base Edinburgh.
DaBY — whose artistic director, Eri Karatsu, is also the Artistic Director of Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater — is operated by the Sega Sammy Arts Foundation, through its Wings project launched in 2024, is actively promoting the international activities of six artists: Conan Amok, Teita Iwabuchi, Ayaka Ono & Yo Nakazawa —Space Not Blank, Mariko Kakizaki, Ryu Suzuki, and Moto Takahashi.
撮影：HATORI Naoshi
World premiere at Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater in 2025
As the first installment of this Wings project, at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe DaBY will present “R/evolution(s)” — a work choreographed, directed and designed by Conan Amok and performed by four contemporary dancers.
Open rehearsal at DaBY studio on 11th August 2026
In this production, in which Amok, who was a member of the renowned Butoh company Dairakudakan until 2019, carries on the Butoh tradition while refreshing its style with a contemporary twist that features four female dancers (Moeka Nagata, Kaya Tsurumi, Mano Hatanaka and Yuki Matsukura) performing a physically demanding, solid 45-minute piece in metallic makeup and costumes.
After watching the premiere of “R/evolution(s)” at Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater in October 2025, Tony Mills — the Artistic Director of Dance Base Edinburgh, Scotland’s national dance center that is presenting 23 works from 12 countries during the 2026 Fringe Festival — remarked, “It will likely be very well received in Edinburgh”, adding that he decided to stage the production in the hope of introducing the new possibilities of Butoh to a wider audience.
Tony Mills (L) and Eri Karatsu
As part of the collaboration between DaBY and Dance Base Edinburgh that has been building mutual trust since 2023, it has been decided that the next phase will involve inviting dance artists from Edinburgh to Yokohama as both organizations plan to cement a long-term partnership to connect the Japanese and British dance scenes.
“R/evolution(s)”, which opens on Aug. 18, 2026, will present an unprecedented 12 performances for a contemporary dance production.
Conan Amok
Dance Base Yokohama / Conan Amok / “R/evolution(s)”
Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base, DB1
14-16 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU
Performance dates: Aug. 18 (Tue) – 30 (Sun), 2026 (12 in total)
Ticket Prices: £14.25 ~
Details: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/revolutions