Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 5 | Page 21

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE Someone at the back of the theatre cheers and applauds, the crowd begins to sing along: The blushin’ bride, she looks divine/The bridegroom he is doin’ fine I’d rather have his job than mine/When I’m cleanin’ windows Shigeto is in great form, grinning from ear to ear and I can’t get over the talent, the versatility and the incredible ability he has to play and sing a kind of music that surely must feel unnatural to him. Pyjamas lyin’ side by side/Ladies nighties I have spied I’ve often seen what goes inside/When I’m cleanin’ windows At this point in the song there is an intricate instrumental piece that George Formby was renowned for. The hall is so silent; I am sure we are all collectively holding our breath. And then we run into the finale with great aplomb: An old maid walks around the floor/She’s so fed up, one day I’m sure She’ll drag me in and lock the door/When I’m cleanin’ windows When I’m cleanin’ windows... Shigeto smiles. He takes his bow and walks elegantly across the stage to the wings. The audience is on its feet. Cheering. “Encore, encore,” they call. I have no idea if Shigeto understands, but then he appears. He has removed his jacket and his white shirt is reflected in his pale face. He speaks, in well-rehearsed English, “I will now play Japanese music for you,” he says, haltingly, “the song is about two people who love. It is about the cherry blossom tree where they meet.” We all sit. He plays. He sings. The music is transporting. It takes us to what we think of as Shigeto’s world. And he has ventured into ours. 20 | November 2016