OPERA

KIDS OPERA 2025 "Let's Make An Opera! The Little Sweep"

SCHEDULE

New Production

Special Support: Keio Corporation,
TOMY Company, Ltd.
Corporate Sponsorship: Shogakukan Inc., Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems, Ltd.

Music by Benjamin BRITTEN
Sung in Japanese without surtitles
THE PIT

5 May - 6 May, 2025 ( 4 Performances )

TICKETS

Running time is approx. 1 hour and 45 mins including an interval .

DETAILS

The New National Theatre Tokyo provides children with the invaluable opportunity to experience high-quality live performing arts and the joy of opera.

In May 2025, we are excited to present Benjamin Britten's Let's Make An Opera! The Little Sweep, marking the return of the kids opera programme after 13 years.

Several works by Benjamin Britten, a celebrated 20th-century British composer, have been staged at the NNTT, including the operas The Turn of the Screw, Peter Grimes, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the ballet The Prince of the Pagodas. Known worldwide for The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Britten dedicated much of his career to creating works for young audiences. For The Little Sweep, he crafted charming, playful music for children in the audience to join in singing, making it an especially delightful experience.

Let's Make An Opera! The Little Sweep involves both children and adults on stage, creating a unique experience that invites audience participation. The performance is structured in three parts: Part One is a play that begins with a lively dialogue between the children and adults as they set out to create an opera. Part Two, a "rehearsal," invites the audience to sing along, creating a sense of involvement. Part Three is the fully staged opera The Little Sweep, performed with the participation of everyone involved. This interactive approach naturally draws young audiences into the world of opera, creating an unforgettable experience of joy, unity, and accomplishment.

The story of The Little Sweep follows Sam, a young boy forced to work as a chimney sweep, and the children of a grand estate who band together in a courageous plan to rescue him. Through this performance, children will experience live opera, engaging their imagination and empathy, and creating lasting memories to share with their families. Join us for this extraordinary opportunity to connect with the timeless art of opera in a way that captivates and inspires audiences of all ages.

CREATIVE TEAM & CAST

CREATIVE TEAM

Libretto by Eric CROZIER
Translation and Adaptation: KATO Tadashi
Conductor: TOMIHIRA Kyohei
Script and Production: SAWADA Yasuko
Set Design: NAGATA Yoshiko
Costume Coordinator: KATO Hisako
Lighting Design: KAWAGUCHI Masahiro
Sound Design: KAWARADA Kenji

CAST

Black Bob:
AKIMOTO Ken (11:00) /
TANAKA Masafumi (15:00)

Clem:
NAKAGAWA Masahiro (11:00) /
TAKAHASHI Takuma (15:00)

Sam:
ASANO Yuki (11:00) /
KATO Gaku (15:00)

Miss Baggott:
TACHIKAWA Kazusa (11:00) /
MATSUURA Rei (15:00)

Juliet Brook:
NAKAMURA Marie (11:00) /
WADA Shihori (15:00)

Gay Brook:
SHIMAUCHI Nanako (11:00) /
SHIGETA Shiori (15:00)

Sophie Brook:
NAKAMURA Ayano (11:00) /
TAKEMURA Maho (15:00)

Rowan:
KAWAKOSHI Miharu (11:00) /
IWAMOTO Mari (15:00)

Jonny Crome:
MAEKAWA Yoriko (11:00) /
SAITO Hina(15:00)

Hughie Crome:
HOMMURA Ibuki (11:00) /
KOYASU Otowa(15:00)

Tina Crome:
URUSHIBATA Yurina (11:00) /
TSURUMARU Sophie Aoi(15:00)

Tom:
AKIMOTO Ken (11:00) /
TANAKA Masafumi (15:00)

Alfred:
NAKAGAWA Masahiro (11:00) /
TAKAHASHI Takuma (15:00)

Orchestra: Kids Opera Ensemble
（by members of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra）

Piano: FURUSE Yasuko, SHIMOMURA Kei

  • CREATIVE TEAM
  • CAST
  • TOMIHIRA Kyohei
    Conductor
    TOMIHIRA Kyohei
    SAWADA Yasuko
    Script and Production
    SAWADA Yasuko
    NAGATA Yoshiko
    Set Design
    NAGATA Yoshiko
  • AKIMOTO Ken
    Black Bob/Tom
    AKIMOTO Ken

    11:00

    NAKAGAWA Masahiro
    Clem/Alfred
    NAKAGAWA Masahiro

    11:00

    ASANO Yuki
    Sam
    ASANO Yuki

    11:00

    TACHIKAWA Kazusa
    Miss Baggott
    TACHIKAWA Kazusa

    11:00

    NAKAMURA Marie
    Juliet Brook
    NAKAMURA Marie

    11:00

    SHIMAUCHI Nanako
    Gay Brook
    SHIMAUCHI Nanako

    11:00

    NAKAMURA Ayano
    Sophie Brook
    NAKAMURA Ayano

    11:00

    KAWAKOSHI Miharu
    Rowan
    KAWAKOSHI Miharu

    11:00

    MAEKAWA Yoriko
    Jonny Crome
    MAEKAWA Yoriko

    11:00

    HOMMURA Ibuki
    Hughie Crome
    HOMMURA Ibuki

    11:00

    URUSHIBATA Yurina
    Tina Crome
    URUSHIBATA Yurina

    11:00

    TANAKA Masafumi
    Black Bob/Tom
    TANAKA Masafumi

    15:00

    TAKAHASHI Takuma
    Clem/Alfred
    TAKAHASHI Takuma

    15:00

    KATO Gaku
    Sam
    KATO Gaku

    15:00

    MATSUURA Rei
    Miss Baggott
    MATSUURA Rei

    15:00

    WADA Shihori
    Juliet Brook
    WADA Shihori

    15:00

    SHIGETA Shiori
    Gay Brook
    SHIGETA Shiori

    15:00

    TAKEMURA Maho
    Sophie Brook
    TAKEMURA Maho

    15:00

    IWAMOTO Mari
    Rowan
    IWAMOTO Mari

    15:00

    SAITO Hina
    Jonny Crome
    SAITO Hina

    15:00

    KOYASU Otowa
    Hughie Crome
    KOYASU Otowa

    15:00

    TSURUMARU Sophie Aoi
    Tina Crome
    TSURUMARU Sophie Aoi

    15:00

TICKETS

SEATING PLAN

Box Office: +81-(0)3-5352-9999

10:00 - 18:00

Booking Opens: Sun, 9 Mar 2025, 10:00am

*There are no discounts for this performance including the discount for Atre members.

Please Note

  • During this performance, entering and exiting the venue is allowed. For re-entry, please kindly follow the instructions of the theatre staff.
  • No admittance to children under 4. Each child older than this age requires a ticket for entry, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Tickets may not be changed or refunded except in the case of a cancelled performance.
  • Users of wheelchairs are requested to contact the Box Office.
  • Please note that cast change may be required depending on the situation.