However, Mr Fujimori's spokesman, Carlos Raffo, said he still believed that the appeal could be won.

BBC: NEWS | Americas | Japan requests access to Fujimori

But one cannot help but respond to Ms Raffo's humane plea when so much American theatre makes scant reference to the wider world.

ECONOMIST: Broadway shows

Ms Raffo, though born in Michigan, has an Iraqi father, and her show is at its best when honouring the stories quietly gathered over the years from people who, until recently, had no way of being heard.

ECONOMIST: Broadway shows