The Firehall Arts Centre launched its 2025-2026 season with Hiromoto Ida’s Vacant Lot running only until October 25th.
The hybrid dance/theatre production by acclaimed Nelson-based choreographer, director, and actor Hiromoto Ida is based on the Japanese play “SARACHI”, by contemporary Japanese theatre artist Shogo Ota. Vacant lot finds a long-married couple (Hiromoto Ida and Lindsay Clague) taking a light and poppy stroll-dance to visit the vacant lot where their house once stood. Once there, they recount their memories of the house, and their family life that took place on the lot. Like a can of worms, the lid (roof) has opened to reveal the vastness of the universe. As they reminisce, they each come to realize how fleeting life and memories really are. Lindsay having a more existential journey while Hiromoto takes a simpler straightforward route to get there.
Lindsay Clague and Hiromoto Ida (Homecoming 2020; Sh?gun) are beautifully melded into a married couple. Telling their tale through smoothly synced movement, eloquent dialogue, and at times, 15 seconds of quiet – creating a nice balance of dance and theatre. At times Vacant Lot is humourous and light, while other moments are deep and introspective wrapped up in sweet, warm recollections. With the sparsest of sets, Stage Designer Ian Robertson has created a evocative representation of a vacant space, but at the same time when combined with John Tucker’s sound and music and Sharon Huizinga’s lighting it has the warmth of home filled with Clague and Ida’s dynamic chemistry.
The charm of Vacant Lot will touch every viewer as they too will reminisce about their own stories and journeys through life. Don’t miss your chance to peak into this Vacant Lot, only on stage until October 25, 2025 at Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street. Visit firehallarts.ca for showtimes and tickets.