APRIL 2003

3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô), 2 in Nagoya (Misonoza), 2 in Kyôto (Minamiza) and 2 on Shikoku island (Kanamaruza)!

Nakamura Kichiemon, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Jakuemon and Nakamura Shibajaku perform at the Kabukiza!

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Fukusuke and Nakamura Hashinosuke perform at the Misonoza!

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Tokizô and Bandô Mitsugorô perform at the Kanamaruza!

Ichikawa Ennosuke and his troupe perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Kabukiza (Tôkyô)

Dates

1 ~ 25 April 2003 (Shigatsu Ôkabuki)

Matinée

Kokusen'ya Gassen

Minaroute Chotto Nanabake

Evening

Genroku Chûshingura (Ôishi Saigo no Ichinichi)

Momo Chidori Naruto no Shiranami (Ninin Yûgiri)

Ningen Banji Kane no Yo no Naka

Casting

Nakamura Kichiemon, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Nakamura Kaishun, Sawamura Tanosuke, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kashô, Kataoka Gatô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Bandô Kichiya, Ichikawa Komazô, Onoe Matsusuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Ichimura Manjirô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Nakamura Shinjirô, Nakamura Tamatarô

Comments

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Misonoza (Nagoya)

Dates	2 ~ 25 April 2003 (Yôshun Ôkabuki)
Matinée	Imayô Kasane Keshô no Sugatami
Evening	Heike Nyogo no Shima (Shunkan) Toshima Osome Hisamatsu Ukina no Yomiuri (Osome no Nanayaku)
Casting	Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Tôzô
Comments	A great spring program made of two Tsuruya Nanboku IV's plays ("Imayô Kasane Keshô no Sugatami" and "Osome no Nanayaku"), a delicate dance ("Toshima") and Chikamatsu Monzaemon's classic "Shunkan" (with Hashinosuke playing the eponymous role).

Kanamaruza (Konpira)

Dates	5 ~ 20 April 2003 (Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai)
Matinée	Narukami Yakko Dôjôji
Evening	Sannin Kichisa Tomoe no Shiranami
Casting	Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Tokizô, Bandô Mitsugorô, Bandô Shûchô, Kataoka Roen, Ichimura Kakitsu, Ichikawa Unosuke
Comments	19th edition of the Spring Kabuki performance Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai at the Kanamaruza.

Shinbashi Enbujô (Tôkyô)

Dates	1 ~ 25 April 2003
Program	Shin Sangokushi III
Casting	Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Danshirô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Nakamura Karoku, Ichikawa Danjirô, Ichikawa Kamejirô, Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen
Comments	Ichikawa Ennosuke and his 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!