Categories
Dance English English subtitles Theater

K-EX kicks off on Oct/4

Kyoto Experiment will spread over October, from 4th to 26th. It will features theater plays and performance in English, Spanish, and other languages, mostly with English (and Japanese) subtitles. To name a few,

Multiple bad things, an horrific comedy in English will tackle the subject of the worst worplace at the end of the world (Australia), on Oct. 4 and 5.
Fragments of Tuah will deconstruct/reconstruct a hero from the Malacca sultanate, in 15th century Malaysia, through the evolution of his image (in Malay, English, and with surtitles).

In Japanese with English surtitles, Performing the cemetery by Jun Tsutsui, from a military cemetery will focus on the individual stories of the buried soldiers,
while Tennis (stage version) from Takuya Murakawa will address alternative realities on a staged tennis court, from October 9 to 13.

You will also have the chance to assist to a performance on the history of power outages in Lebanon, a show in Spanish, dance works from akakilike, a staged reading of Dans la mesure de l’impossible from Tiago Rodrigues, in Japanese, following as we remember its wonderful performance in French in Shizuoka and first readings in SPT, and so much more.

For recommended performances in September, and October/December, click on the associated links.

Categories
Contemporary dance Dance

Dance Bridge 2025 – The Sky is Connected

On September 27 and 28, Session House will host an international contemporary dance project Dance Bridge 2025 – The Sky is Connected, in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.
#When we look up at the sky, we see no borders and clouds drifting freely. Yet beneath this sky, divisions, conflicts, and human suffering continue to exist.#
Dance Bridge 2025 seeks to explore tolerance and coexistence in contemporary society by learning about diverse cultural backgrounds and sharing a wide range of emotions and values through dance.
The program includes presentations of dance works from Korea, Japan, and the United States—each representing different cultural backgrounds, some focusing on the theme of “laughter.” Dancers nurtured in different cultural environments will use contemporary dance as a common language to place human emotions at the core of their work, proposing the diversity and inclusivity of dance through their performances.

As part of cultural exchange with Korea, two all-female Japanese dance companies will perform pieces inspired by the Bolero , each expressing distinct perspectives on the female body.
Mademoiselle Cinema, re-working Ito’s Her chair choregraphy, portrays the everyday life of working women and bridges to the future, while Magnum☆Madame explores the evolving physicality of women with age, highlighting their unique traits. Yoo Hosik from Korea will bring his signature work Forest to Japan. This collaboration will explore differences and commonalities in female expression between the two countries and reflect on coexistence in modern society. Reservations shall be possible in English

Also check recommended dance and theater performances in September and October-December

Categories
Butoh Dance

The rite of spring, butoh style

Dairakudakan, the famous butoh company established in 1972 and still headed by Akaji Maro, one of the most famous butoh dancers and choregraphers still alive, will perform a revisited Rite of Spring, choregraphed by Jongye Yang. This is a great chance to see an exciting works, performed at the company’s home base, Dairakudakan Kochuten, in Kichijoji. From October 28 to November 3rd. Tickets go on sale from September 20. As the Dairakudakan theatre has a limited capacity, it is advised to book early.
Information for booking : click on the link or on Rite of Spring

For more context
Akaji Maro, profil(e) in French
A short history of contemporary dance in Japan
Contemporary dance venues & others
And for more performances, dance and theatre in the autumn
Tokyo stages from October to December
Dance Bridge 2025 – Vol 2

Categories
Dance

Tryptich

The Belgian contemporary dance company Peeping Tom will perform Tryptich in Tokyo, at the Setagaya Public Theater from September 27 to 29. A sinister night spent by a group of eccentric men and women in a luxury ocean cabin is depicted with astonishing physical ability and a unique worldview. Don’t miss out on this most scandalous dance entertainment.
https://setagaya-pt.jp/stage/25024/

Categories
Butoh

Sankai Juku – Totem in Tokyo

Sankai Juku will be touring in Japan in October, presenting the late work of Ushio Amagatsu Totem in Tokyo from October 9 to October 13 (in Setagaya Public Theater) and then in BiwaKo on November 1st.

For reservation, it is best to use the Japanese version of Setagaya Public Theater (on the English version, there is no availability).

Categories
Dance

Sweet mambo

The Wupperthal Tanztheater will present a work from Pina Bausch, Dance, Sweet mambo, from Nov. 27 to Nov 30 in Saitama. A rare chance to see an original choregraphy from the famous German artist. Boris Charmatz is currently directing the dance company. The works will also be performed in Kyoto at Rohm Theatre on 21st and 22nd.

Categories
Dance English subtitles Theater

Dance Jurors’ dance

Newly appointed as artistic director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Toshiki Okada, the internationally acclaimed playwright and director, will present during the new Autumn Meteorite festival his latest work, a blend of theater and dance. Okada was inspired by Shoyuron A theory of property, a recent provocative text by philosopher Kiyokazu Washida. Subtitled in English, this work is a must see to get with ease into Japan latest theatre scene. From October 1st to October 5th.

https://autumnmeteorite.jp/en/2025/program/dancejurorsdance

https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2010/09/10/toshiki-okada-chroniques-arty-du-japon-contemporain_1409577_3246.html

Categories
English Theater

The mistake

A gripping, multi-perspective drama that confronts the atomic bomb’s legacy through Japanese, American, and European eyes.

80 years after the dropping of the atomic bomb, through the interwoven stories of a Hungarian physicist, an American pilot, and a resilient Japanese daughter, this play reveals the anguish and moral conflict behind one of history’s most fateful decisions. The use of the diary of a hibakusha makes it all the more authentic and gripping.

Performed by award-winning British playwright and West End actor Michael Mears and bilingual Japanese actress Riko Nakazono (HBO,Hulu’s The Head), the Mistake captivated audiences in London and Off-Broadway before touring in Japan. From September 13 to September 21.

Also check our proposed theater and dance spectacles in September and until December.

Categories
Dance English Theater

Eurydice, lost or found in Nagoya

The Nagoya based international theatre group Theater Iridescence will present Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, on August 2nd and 3rd in Aichi prefecture capital. Collaborating with a dance company, it looks like a great blend of acting, dancing – well, performing.

https://www.instagram.com/theatre_iridescence/

Categories
Dance

Firebird by Noism2, ballet for kids

Niigata Noism young company, Noism 2, will hold a performance of Firebird specially for kids and their parents in Tokyo Metropolitan Theater (Ikebukuro) on September 14 and 15. It will be followed by a workshop, also for kids. Noism is one of the most famous contemporary dance companies in Japan, and has the experience to work with young and amateur inhabitants in Niigata, where they are based. The choregraphy is from Jo Kanamori, the founder of the company. The workshop will be held in Japanese, for sure, but overall this looks like a wonderful experience with a leading company. The tickets are very cheap (1500 JPY for adults, 500 JPY up to 17).

Noism 0/1 company will also perform the Bolero on September 15th, after it was performed in Saitama in July. Information here.

https://www.geigeki.jp/performance/concert303/c303-4/

About Japanese contemporary dance https://tokyojardin.org/a-short-history-of-contemporary-dance-in-japan/