25th-27th August 2017: we spent three days workshopping a section of the new work, encouraging all participants to explore their roles and to give their ideas.  During the weekend , Francesca worked with each trio separately to workshop what had been written so far and then ran rehearsals and a test performance at the venue on the final R&D day. Acquaintances of the performers and those involved were invited to the test performance as audience members, allowing us to test the audience movement and to receive feedback through questionnaires and discussions.

On 25th and 26th August, Francesca ran separate rehearsals for each trio at 3 hours each.　In these rehearsals, the performers tried out what had been written so far and gave their ideas and suggestions regarding lyrics and instrumental writing. Francesca made amendments, answered any questions the performers had and experimented with musical and theatrical ideas she wished to try.
　

On 27th August, the audience arrived from 3.15pm. Yamashita (manager) met the 18 audience members and introduced them to the space. After a short introduction by Francesca, the 30 minute test performance began. Once the performance had finished, a questionnaire was handed out to the audience members and an informal discussion was held. There was an incredible variety of ideas and opinions given by the audience members and performers; in what format will 「THE鍵KEY」progress was a main point of the creative discussion.

We received a lot of positive and critical feedback from audience members and performers alike: the general consensus was that 「THE鍵KEY」provides a unique, interesting and exciting experience in an unsual and distinctive atmosphere suited to the story.
For the R&D, Whole Hog Theatre's Alexandra Rutter worked with dancer Rikki Metsugi to create choreography and movement. More details about their fantastic work can be found here.