Tokyo stages and live arts, theatre and biodiversityFor Eri Watanabe 70th birthday, 2 of her plays, Whale ! Get on my hand and Ribbon will be shown at Honda theatre in Setagaya. Eri Watanabe, a famous playwright, director and actress, has played quite a role on the Japanese scene, and has been one of the very first woman director in Japan. Unfortunately, the plays will be in Japanese only.
https://office300.co.jp/kokikinen.html
Yosuke Meguro will perform at Setagaya Public Theater, in a poetic solo of juggling and dance, accompanied by a solo pianist. In the line of circus related performance, this program which will play from March 7 to 9 could also be of interest for the younger ones.
https://setagaya-pt.jp/stage/22675/
http://nagamekurasitsu.com/english/
NNTT presents from Jan.19 to Feb.1st, 2025, the Flying Dutchman with Japanese AND English subtitles. A great opportunity to review this classic from Wagner, and understand the plot to its full extent. Easy booking for English speakers, and relatively reasonable prices for the New National Theatre, Tokyo.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/derfliegendehollander.html
On March 29 and 30, a contemporary dance Japanese company will present a program widely appraised and appealing both to children and their parents. Very reasonable pricing to discover new works, and share with family. Booking is English friendly.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/ballet-dance/obachetta.html
New National Theatre Tokyo presents in March 2025 a large program, including The Firebird in the (?) original choregraphy by Fokine and a The vertiginous thrill of exactitude by William Forsythe. A 2h30 session, mix of classical and more contemporary forms of ballet. Definitely worth trying, with an English friendly booking site.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/ballet-dance/triplebill.html
Impro in French on Saturday, January 11, from 7pm, at Hatagaya Space by the Impro Tokyo troupe. A sure laugh, for French speakers. Register by writing to Thomas Sagnard, at improtokyo@outlook.fr
Sheepdog Theatre will be playing Romeo and Juliet from March 12 to March 16, 2025. After their great modern play The effect, the most regular English speaking troupe will be back to classical theater, in a Japanese and modern context. In English with both English and Japanese subtitles, it is ideal for non native speakers.
https://sheepdogtheatre.com/en/shows/romeo-and-juliet
Comic figures Iliza Schlesinger and Laura Peek will make you laugh on December 17th in Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure. Yurie Collins is a rising bilingual comedy star in Japan, with shows in both English and Japanese.
More information at livenation.co.jp/iliza-2024
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2024/12/10/our-lives/comedian-yurie-collins-roast/
On April 26 and 27, 2025, this play from Tiago Rodrigues in French, English and Portuguese will be performed in Shizuoka by the troupe of the Comedie de Geneve. World Festival Theatre Shizuoka, under the direction of Satoshi Miyagi, always presents great works. A fantastic opportunity to travel to this city, and watch a playwright focused on humanitarians and their dilemmas.
Butoh performance around the famous fairy tale figure, by Kohei Wakaba at Koenji. December 20 and 21st. For more details, info@wakaba.coffee. I had the chance to see other performances of this underground butoh group 2 months ago, and can recommend.
https://www.instagram.com/wakaba.coffee.butoh/