The New National Theatre, Tokyo celebrates its tenth anniversary with the 2007/2008 season. Over the past decade, we have focused on offering a high-level repertoir on a par with troupes around the world in both ballet and contemporary dance and on staging productions that demonstrate dynamic creativity that is in touch with the times. I am encouraged by the fact that your support has grown stronger each season.

The New National Theatre Ballet has intentionally produced classic ballets and contemporary creative works. We have developed a repertoir of a total of 34 ballets, including 16 full-length ballets and 18 smaller pieces, from 8 countries—Russia, England, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, and Japan. By having this kind of diverse repertoir, we are able to create enriching programmes that meet the wide range of requests we receive from our audiences. Over the past few years, we have aimed to create even higher level of productions, elegant performances that also have the cool contemporary flair.

Our ballet company was formed in 1997 at the time of the birth of the New National Theatre, Tokyo. This season will open with “La Dame aux Camélias,” an original ballet newly produced as the culmination of our first decade. We will stage “The Nutcracker,” a Christmas favorite that always delights audiences, and then we will perform original repertoir works, including “Carmen,”” La Bayadère,” and “Swan Lake.”

We have been invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the United States, and to make our international debut there in February 2008. We are determined to demonstrate the refined sensibilities that Japan is known for in our performances at this world-class stage.

In the contemporary dance productions, it is worth noting that Teshigawara Saburo, who continues to be in the spotlight in the international dance world for his unique artistic style, will create both the season opener and closer at the Pit. Every work that Teshigawara Saburo has created for the New National Theatre, Tokyo has become the talk of the town, and this year we will be able to follow his work over the season. Dance Selection will re-stage works that received high acclaim during the first decade of the theatre. “Triple Bill into the future” will showcase choreographers and dancers who are in the limelight overseas and will explore the future of dance. We hope you will be inspired in a way that you can only be inspired at our theatre and that you will sense the potential of contemporary dance at the New National Theatre, Tokyo.

We aim to stage ballet and contemporary dance performances that will again meet our audience’s high expectations. I hope many people will come and enjoy this season.