YU-FO

(2007)

A man runs madly through the woods. He is searching for the mysterious woman he picked up hitchhiking. She was here a minute ago, by his truck that swerved inexplicably off the road. It's too dark. He thinks he hears her voice, but where is she? Out of nowhere, blinding lights suddenly appear above him. Something is descending. He lets out a scream. YU-FO follows the interactions one fateful night between a Canadian man and the mysterious Japanese woman he encounters at a side-of-the-road diner off the breathtaking Sea-To-Sky Highway.

YU-FO. Photo by Itai Erdal.

An exploration on themes of alienation and how far we humans can crawl into our own shells, YU-FO plays with the notion of musical story-telling and features the musical composition and direction of acclaimed local musician Veda Hille, who provides a powerful live accompaniment to the show. YU-FO is directed by Amiel Gladstone, with movement direction by international dance artist Sarah Chase, and lighting design by Itai Erdal. Written and performed by Maiko Yamamoto and James Long, YU-FO was presented at Rumble Production's TREMORS Festival in Vancouver.