Haruki Murakami’s masterpiece is brought to life and we are taken on a journey, discovering what it means to be human

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Melly Still, is played at the Arcola Theatre. We witness the story of Sumire, a young Japanese writer as she engages in a journey of self-exploration. This journey is one of understanding the intricacies of the world we are living in and of how someone can be guided or changed by them. Love was explored through the relationships of Shumire, K, and Mui, whilst under Murakami’s magical realism.

The staging manages to provide a solid foundation for the flashbacks of Sumire’s life; it is black, minimalistic with modern geometric shapes. The interesting part is the countdown numbering of 96:12 that serves to provide the timeframe up until Sumire’s disappearance at the Greek island of Rhodes. Interestingly, the phone cubicle on the stage has a central function. It serves as a medium of duality; as a phone cubicle that Sumire calls her friend K, but also as the door/mirror of the other self that each of us has. The minimalistic staging is made more interesting through the use of videos on the walls alongside music that plays in the background. 

Millicent Wong (Sumire) , Naruto Komatsu (K) and Natsumi Kuroda (Miu) among other talented actors gave exceptional performances. They were performing so close to the audience, really making you feel part of the fourth wall. Throughout the play I felt connected to the cast, especially during the joint choreography of Miu and Sumire that explored their feelings about each other. At points during the play, the fourth wall was broken down by the actors ,to either express their thoughts or their emotional and ideological struggles. An impressive balance was maintained between the aside techniques, the breaking of the fourth wall, and the various flashbacks..

I feel that it would be a pity to spoil the plot and to provide lots of details on the action. The reason behind it is that the play is an opportunity for each member of the audience to embark on an explorative journey together with the cast. Hence, together with the main characters of the play, the audience can ponder on the meaning of life and of societal belonging. This journey will see them travelling across the world, namely Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece. The audience will not only explore the cultural aspects of the aforementioned countries, but also have an accurate audiovisual representation of them. 

Another aspect worth mentioning is the wide array of themes that are put forward. Indeed, Haruki Murakami chooses to include the topics of conformity, metaphysics, the nature of knowledge and of love. Both Melly Still and Bryony Levory did exceptional work in the adaptation and direction of the play. Of particular interest to me was the metaphor of change, namely of adjusting a gear in the car. Another idea that stimulated me was that of “who the real me is”. As a Greek and Romanian having studied in the UK and worked in various countries, the play managed to challenge my understanding of my perceived identity. 

Even though the play has lot of sexual descriptions and visuals as it touches on the points of sexual orientation and desire, it never became vulgar. Millicent Wong, Natsumi Kuroda, and Naruto Komatsu with natural charisma act without being extreme. They manage to make the audience feel comfortable and even laugh at points. Particularly at the mention of cucumbers in the fridge. I found astonishing Natsumi’s Kuroda’s acting regarding Miu’s sexual assault when she was just 25; the actress masterfully manages to be emotionally charged, but also untouched as being the observer of her own suffering. 

Overall, Sputnik Sweetheart is a play that engages all of the audience’s senses through various audio-visual means. This production manages to successfully bring to life Haruki Murakami’s work with simplicity and real artistry, which is not an easy task to accomplish. If you want to challenge your thoughts and existence this play is a must; for 80 minutes leaving reality for the world of dreams where everything is possible.