JUNE 2008

4 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theater, Theater Cocoon), 2 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 1 in Nagoya (Chûnichi Gekijô) and 1 tour (Kansai)!

Nakamura Kichiemon, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Shikan, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Tomijûrô and Nakamura Shibajaku perform at the Kabukiza!

Sakata Tôjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Baigyoku and Nakamura Kanjaku perform at the Hakataza!

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke and Nakamura Senjaku perform at the Theater Cocoon!

The Omodakaya guild performs at the Chûnichi Gekijô!

Kataoka Takatarô performs at the National Theater!

Kabukiza (Tôkyô)

Dates	3 ~ 27 June 2008 (Rokugatsu Ôkabuki)
Matinée	Shin Usuyuki Monogatari Niwaka Jishi
Evening	Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura (Sushiya) Migawari Zazen Ikite-iru Koheiji Mitsu Ningyô
Casting	Nakamura Kichiemon, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Shikan, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kaishun, Ichikawa Danshirô, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Kashô, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato
Comments	???

Hakataza (Fukuoka)

Dates

5 ~ 28 June 2008 (Rokugatsu Ôkabuki)

Matinée

Kotobuki Soga no Taimen

Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji

Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijô (Kamiyui Shinza)

Evening

Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami

Kamo Zutsumi

Ga no Iwai

Dattan

Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami

Casting

Sakata Tôjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kanjaku, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Tôzô

Comments

???

Shibuya Bunkamura Theater Cocoon (Tôkyô)

Dates

10 ~ 29 June 2008

Program

Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami

Casting

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô, Sasano Takashi, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Shichinosuke

Comments

9th edition of the original Cocoon Kabuki performance, which recreates the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai and brings the actors closer to the audience.

Natsu Matsuri: this grisly murder story became a smashing hit when it was first performed in 1745 because of the chivalrous spirit of the many Ôsaka characters appearing in this story, the contrast between a brutal murder and the jovial mood of a summer festival, and the splashing of real water used on the stage. Danshichi, a gallant fishmonger, does everything he can to protect the weak young son of his patron with the help of his companion Tokubei and the older Sabu. Although even Tokubei's wife Otatsu heroically helps out, in the end, Danshichi is betrayed by his evil father-in-law Giheiji and, in the most famous scene of the play, must kill him in a mud-covered fight in a lonely alley with the shouts of the local festival nearby. This program stars Nakamura Kanzaburô as Danshichi, with Nakamura Hashinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô and Nakamura Kantarô (10~19)/Nakamura Shichinosuke (20~29) as Tokubei, Sabu and Otatsu.

Chûnichi Gekijô (Nagoya)

Dates

9 ~ 27 June 2008

Program

Yamato Takeru

Casting

Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Danjirô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Kaneda Ryûnosuke

Comments

Ichikawa Ennosuke's troupe of young and talented actors perform a modern style of theater, which they created a few years ago and called "Super Kabuki" (Sûpâ Kabuki in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's lingo): it's spectacular (lots of chûnori), the costums are gorgeous and ultra-sophisticated, the music is modern, the texts are easy to understand and the plots are as twisted as a good Kabuki classic. Usually a big commercial success! "Yamato Takeru" was the first Sûpâ Kabuki drama of the Omodakaya guild and the most successful one. For this revival, the leading role of Yamato Takeru is played by both Ichikawa Danjirô and Ichikawa Ukon.

Ichikawa Ennosuke is on sick leave and does not perform in this production.

National Theater (Tôkyô)

Dates	1 ~ 24 June 2008 (Rokugatsu Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitsu)
Program	Kabuki no Mikata Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi
Casting	Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Ichizô
Comments	Educational program at the National Theater called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"). This is a very interesting formula for the beginners because there is lively presentation on stage of Kabuki or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes, followed by the drama "Yaguchi no Watashi": Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi: this play was written by Hiraga Gennai, an Edo inventor, explorer and writer of comic fiction. Young Ofune is the obedient daughter of her evil father Tombei, the keeper of a river crossing. She meets and falls in love with a young fugitive. Unfortunately, her father wants to capture the fugitive for a reward and Ofune can only save his life by sacrificing her own. Starring Kataoka Takatarô and Kataoka Ichizô in the roles of Ofune and Tombei.

Educational Kabuki tour in Kansai
Date	1 ~ 23 June 2008
Program	Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima (Shunkan)
Casting	Kataoka Gatô, Kamimura Kichiya, Kataoka Shinnosuke, Bandô Shinsha
Comments	33rd edition of an educational Kabuki tour in Kansai: Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Kataoka Gatô) has been exiled to Devil's Island for plotting against the dictator Kiyomori. A pardon is given to his fellow conspirators, but Shunkan is only saved by an additional pardon given by Kiyomori's compassionate son. Even so, he gives up his place on the boat to freedom so his companion's new wife can accompany her husband back to the capital. The boat leaves and Shunkan is left watching is disappear in the distance, knowing he will be left on the island forever.