[Bridge to the Future] A New Play I
My Month

The first in our "Bridge to the Future" series is written by Sugai Ei and emerged from playwright workshops held by the Royal Court Theatre in London, renowned as "The Playwright's Theatre," and the New National Theatre Tokyo from 2019 to 2021 in Japan. Undergoing extensive discussions and revisions, and among the refined works, "My Month" was selected for production in 2022/2023 season. Directed by the acclaimed contemporary director Kae Inaba of the Bungakuza, the play weaves a poignant narrative of individuals who, despite their sorrow and need for redemption, strive to move forward.

Viewing Period: 19 July 2024, 12:00 - 19 August 2024, 12:00 JST
Performed in Japanese with English subtitles
Recorded on 11 November 2022
Performed at The Pit, New National Theatre Tokyo

• Cast and Creative Team

Written by SUGAI Ei
Directed by INABA Kae

Set Designer: IKEDA Tomoyuki
Lighting Designer: SUGIMOTO Kosuke
Sound Designer: HOSHINO Daisuke

Costume Designer: HANDA Etsuko
Hairstyling and Makeup: TAKAMURA Madoka

Assistant Director: SHIROTA Miki
Stage Manager: FUKUMOTO Nobuo

Cast: MURAOKA Nozomi, FUJINO Ryoko, KUBO Chukichi, TSUKAMOTO Keiko, OOISHI Masahiro, OKADA Yoshinori

• Scenes from rehearsals from Drama "My Month"

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[Bridge to the Future] A New Play Ⅱ
Beaching at Dawn

The second in our "Bridge to the Future" series is a new work by Yokoyama Takuya, the head of the theatre unit "iaku". Inspired by the theme "Bridge to the Future," Yokoyama has crafted a poignant story set in a port town in Wakayama Prefecture. The narrative follows a woman searching for the memory of a man she might have wronged 25 years ago. This play, characterized by Yokoyama's unique ability to depict the human heart with both quiet subtlety and intense emotion, showcases his distinctive theatrical world. Directed by the emerging director Yu Osawa, the production conveys the profound charm of the work through meticulous and delicate direction.

Viewing Period: 19 July 2024, 12:00 - 19 August 2024, 12:00 JST
Performed in Japanese with English subtitles
Recorded on 4 December 2022
Performed at The Pit, New National Theatre Tokyo

• Cast and Creative Team

Written by YOKOYAMA Takuya
Directed by OSAWA Yu

Set Designer: IKEDA Tomoyuki
Lighting Designer: WASHIZAKI Junichiro
Sound Designer: NOBUSAWA Yusuke

Costume Designer: NISHIHARA Rie
Hairstyling and Makeup: TAKAMURA Madoka

Assistant Director: YAMADA Midori
Stage Manager: KAWAYOKE Manabu

Cast:
KOJIMA Hijiri, IKEOKA Ryosuke, KOKUBO Toshihito,
MORIKAWA Yuki, OKAZAKI Satsuki, AKINO Masakazu,
KUSUMI Kaoru, ARATANI Kiyomi

• Excerpts from Drama "Beachnf at Dawn"

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[Bridge to the Future] A New Play Ⅲ
The Blissful Land

The third in our "Bridge to the Future" series is a new work by Yamada Kana, the multi-talented playwright, director, and film director, and head of the theatre company "ROJI9". The highly anticipated work by Yamada centres on an annual sacred ritual performed exclusively by women. Inspired by her own field research, Yamada has created a fictional story set on an imagined island. The narrative unfolds in a single setting, highlighting the earnest yet sometimes comical conversations of seven women. Through their dialogue, issues such as marriage, infertility, caregiving, and workplace harassment come to light. The traditional yet evolving rural town serves as a mirror to contemporary Japan.

Directed by Takuji Manabe of the Haiyuza Theatre Company, renowned for his productions of domestic and international plays, as well as musicals, operas, and musical dramas, the play features a stellar cast and captures the essence of present-day Japan.

Viewing Period: 19 July 2024, 12:00 - 19 August 2024, 12:00 JST
Performed in Japanese without subtitles
Recorded on 20 June 2023
Performed at The Pit, New National Theatre Tokyo

• Cast and Creative Team

Written by YAMADA Kana
Directed by MANABE Takashi

Set Designer: ITO Masako
Lighting Designer: SATO Satoshi
Music by KUME Daisuke
Sound Designer: KATO Yutaka

Costume Designer: YAMASHITA Kazumi
Hairstyling and Makeup: TAKAMURA Madoka

Assistant Director: SHIROTA Miki
Stage Manager: KAWAYOKE Manabu

Cast: TOYOHARA Erika, DOI Shiori, NISHIO Mari, SHIMIZU Naoko, FUKAYA Miho, NAKAHARA Michiyo, MASUKO Shizue

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