As usual, I decided to take a short walk when I felt tired from work in my office.
I headed to the usual florist.
After selecting the flowers, we ended up talking about music and theater as I was the only customer. The florist is a trombonist, so I always enjoy our conversations about art.
I mentioned, "It's really sad that the booklet 'Pia' has ceased publication."
He nostalgically replied, "I feel the same. I've known it since the first issue. I used to decide which concerts to go to, or which plays to watch based on 'Pia'."
That was exactly the case for me as well.
With 'Pia' in hand and a red pencil, I used to mark out, "Let's watch this movie at this cinema over the weekend. Oh, such a play is being performed, I have to circle it…".
I reminisced about the times when I treasured the "Blue Pocket Pia" that was issued from 'Pia'.
There were young men and women, not yet well known. The plays they performed may have been hard to describe if asked, but their youthful energy and passion overflowed in the theater.
I wonder if the movie theaters and small theaters I frequently visited are still around?
Hondatheatre in Shimokitazawa, Theatre Echo in Ebisu, JanJan in Shibuya.
At Theatre Echo, I used to sit on a cushion to watch the plays, and during the intervals, they would distribute ice cream similar to Anpan (sweet roll filled with red bean paste).
Such small theaters may no longer exist.
Like the discontinuation of 'Pia', I suppose theaters have also evolved over time.