2013/2014 Season Guide NEW NATIONAL THEATRE,TOKYO · 2017. 4. 12. · Faster/Carmina Burana 21 The Prince of the Pagodas 22 DANCE ... the 2013-2014 season opens with a new production

September 2013 - July 2014

Opera Ballet Dance Play

2013/2014 Season GuideNEW NATIONAL THEATRE,TOKYO

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to New National Theatre, Tokyo

The New National Theatre, Tokyo, is Japan’s only national theatre dedicated to the performing arts of opera, ballet, dance and plays. Since its opening in October 1997 this theatre has planned and produced works of a consistently high caliber, earning critical acclaim in both Japan and worldwide. I would like to express my deep respect for the efforts of all those involved to date, and my heartfelt thanks to the patrons for their support.

The New National Theatre, Tokyo has two major missions. The first is to con-tinue to create world-class performances to present in Japan and abroad, while the second is to become a theatre that is widely enjoyed and loved by the people of Japan. We will strive to fulfill these missions and become a theatre that the Japanese people will refer to with pride and affection, and that those abroad will regard with respect and admiration.

In the 2013/2014 season, we have prepared a widely varied selection of produc-tions which is a distinctive feature of the New National Theatre, Tokyo. This is the last seasons for Mr. Tadaaki Otaka, an artistic director of Opera, and for Mr. David Bintley, an artistic director of Ballet and Dance, so I believe that this season will be the culmination of their four-year term. In the play section, the ambitious projects of Ms. Keiko Miyata, an artistic director of Play, are lined up.We look forward to seeing you in the theatre.

Fukuchi ShigeoPresident, New National Theatre Foundation

OPERARigoletto (New Production) 6Le Nozze di Figaro 7Les Contes d’Hoffmann 8Carmen 9Madama Butterfly 10Die tote Stadt (New Production) 11Wozzeck 12Cavalleria Rusticana/I Pagliacci (New Production) 13Arabella 14Rokumeikan 15

BALLETBallets Russes Stravinsky Evening 17The Nutcracker 18Swan Lake 19Symphony in Three Movements/Grosse Fuge/ 20 New work by Jessica LangFaster/Carmina Burana 21The Prince of the Pagodas 22

DANCENakamura Megumix Shuto Yasuyuki 23DANCE to the Future ~ Second Steps ~ 24A Women’s House 25DANCE ARCHIVES in Japan 26

PLAYOPUS/Edward II 29Pygmalion 30Les Séquestrés d’Altona/History of Mizuho in Manila 31The Tempest 32Nineteen-year-old Jacob/Time Stands Still 33

THE THEATREBuying Tickets 33Opera Palace 34Playhouse 36The Pit 38Education Programmes 39Facility Information 40Access 42

Contents OPERAAs I look back on the seasons I’ve spent at New National Theatre Tokyo thus far, let me take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to one and all. And now, a few words about our line-up for the upcoming season, which will be my fourth and final one.

2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi. At NNTT, the 2013-2014 season opens with a new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto”. The production is directed by Andreas Kriegenburg and will be conducted by Pietro Rizzo. I look forward to these performances of the new production. “Rigoletto” is followed by four productions that we as a theatre must cherish, just as we cherish all of you. The first of these is “Le Nozze di Figaro”, then “Les contes d’Hoffmann” . Heading into the new year, we present “Carmen” and “Madama Butterfly”. I do hope you will thoroughly enjoy these repertory productions. Our second new production of the season will be “Die tote Stadt” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. This opera is not frequently performed, and is one I knew I wanted to do. I am confident that all involved, from the two leads, who have been cast in challenging roles, to the entire production crew, will bring out the true merit of this work. Next up, an opera from a composer from the same era, which created a buzz during its previous run here: “Wozzeck” by Alban Berg. This is followed by a new production of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci”. These are two operas that reward repeat viewings, and for them we have secured the services of two fine tenors. Next, we present “Arabella”, an opera that always brings laughter to audi-ences. It is also one that holds special meaning for me, as it was the first produc-tion I oversaw as Artistic Director at NNTT, and I had really hoped to stage it again in my last season here.

Rounding off my four-year term, NNTT presents a Japanese opera. The selection for the season finale embodies our hope for the continued growth of Japanese opera, as we bring you “Rokumeikan”, based on the play by Mishima Yukio.

Otaka TadaakiArtistic Director, Opera

RIGOLETTO LE NOzzE DI FIGARONew Production

Music by Giuseppe Verdi

Opera in 3 Acts

Sung in Italian with Japanese Subtitles

2013/2014 Season Opera Sponsor

Giuseppe Verdi

From 2010 perform

ance, Photo: Saegusa Chikashi

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Opera in 4 Acts



STAF F : ConduCtor: Pietro rizzo 1ProduCtion: AndreAs Kriegenburg 2sCenery design: HArAld tHorCostume design: tAnjA HofmAnnligHting design: stefAn bolliger

CAST: rigoletto: mArCo VrAtognA 3gildA: elenA gorsHunoVA 4il duCA di mAntoVA: Woo-Kyung Kim 5sPArAfuCile: tsumAyA HideKAzu 6mAddAlenA: yAmAsHitA mAKiKo 7il Conte di monterone: tAni tomoHiro 8gioVAnnA: yodA AsAKomArullo: nAritA HiroyuKiborsA: KAmosHitA minoruil Conte di CePrAno: KobAyAsHi yosHiKi

CHorus: neW nAtionAl tHeAtre CHorusorCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrA

STAF F : ConduCtor: ulf sCHirmer 1ProduCtion: AndreAs HomoKi 2sCenery design: frAnK PHiliPP sCHlÖssmAnnCostume design: meCHtHild seiPelligHting design: frAnCK eVin

CAST: il Conte AlmAViVA: leVente molnÁr 3lA ContessA: mAndy fredriCH 4figAro: Aris Argiris 5susAnnA: KusHimA KAnAe 6CHerubino: lenA belKinA 7mArCellinA: tAKemoto setsuKo 8bArtolo: mAtsui HirosHi 9bAsilio: ono mitsuHiKo 10don Curzio: itogA sHuHeiAntonio: sHimurA fumiHiKobArbArinA: yosHiHArA KeiKo


OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013OPERA PALACE OPERA PALACE

An exciting new production by Kriegenburg shows of the sparkling competence of the world’s top class singers.

The 2013/2014 season opener will be our new production of “Rigoletto”, which forms the highlight of our celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Verdi’s birth. Love stories, curses and the tragedy of revenge evolve around Rigoletto, an ugly jester, Gilda, an innocent girl, and the prodigal duke of Mantova. This work is filled with singing and famous arias such as “La donna è mobile/ The Woman is fickle”, “Caro nome/ Dearest name”, and “Cortigiani! vil razza dannata/ Courtiers, you vile, damned race”. This is highly popular among all of Verdi’s operas. The production is directed by Andreas Kriegenburg, the genius of German theatre. We also invite fascinating singers such as Marco Vratogna, an Italian baritone who is playing an active role in La Scala and Vienna State Opera; Elena Gorshunova, who combines beauty and a magical voice; and Woo-Kyung Kim, whose fine voice graced the 2011 NNTT performances of “La Traviata”.

An immortal masterpiece of Mozart that keeps shining for eternity.

This opera is indeed an enduring masterpiece that has been loved for over 200 years. The well-known overture is overflowing with the musical charms of the genius Mozart. This opera comes complete with popular arias such as “Voi che sapete/ You know what love is”, and “Non più andrai farfallone amoroso/ You won’t go any more, amorous butterfly”. The sophisticated production of Andreas Homoki fully depicts the humanity of dramatis personae to highlight the universality of this work that persists even today. Ulf Schirmer, a German maestro, will conduct the adorable young cast, including young Hungarian bari-tone Levente Molnár, who is playing outstandingly in Vienna, Munich and London.

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The Sponsored Performance at the Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs The Cooperative Performance at the Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs

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Special sponsor Sponsor

Private showing*

Music by Jacques Offenbach

Opera in 5 Acts

Sung in French with Japanese Subtitles


From 2003 perform


From 2010 perform


Music by Georges Bizet

Opera in 3 Acts

Sung in French with Japanese Subtitles


STAF F : ConduCtor: frÈdÈriC CHAslin 1ProduCtion, sCenery, ligHting design: PHiliPPe ArlAud 2Costume design: AndreA uHmAnnCHoreogrAPHer: uedA HAruKACAST: HoffmAnn: Arturo CHACÓn-Cruz 3niCKlAusse, lA muse: AngelA broWer 4lindorf, CoPPelius, mirACle, dAPertutto: mArK s. doss 5olymPiA: KoudA HiroKo 6AntoniA: HAmAdA rie 7giuliettA: yoKoyAmA KeiKo 8AndrÈs, CoCHenille, frAntz, PitiCHinACCio: tAKAHAsHi jun 9lutHer, CresPel: osAWA KensPAlAnzAni: sHibAyAmA mAsAnobusCHlemil: AoyAmA tAKAsHilA Voix de lA mere, stellA: yAmAsHitA mAKiKo


STAF F : ConduCtor: AinArs rubiKis 1ProduCtion: uyAmA HitosHi 2sCenery design: sHimA jiroCostume design: ogAtA KiKuKoligHting design: sAWAdA yujiCHoreogrAPHer: isHii junCAST: CArmen: KeteVAn KemoKlidze 3don josÉ: gAston riVero 4esCAmillo: dmitry ulyAnoV 5miCAËlA: HAmAdA rie 6zunigA: tsumAyA HideKAzu 7morAlÈs: mAsu tAKAsHile dAnCAÏre: tAni tomoHirole remendAdo: ono mitsuHiKofrAsquitA: HirAi KAorimerCÉdÈs: sHimizu KAsumi

CHorus: neW nAtionAl tHeAtre CHorusorCHestrA: toKyo symPHony orCHestrA

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014OPERA PALACE OPERA PALACE

Three tragic love stories of the poet Hoffmann invite audiences to a dreamlike world.

Offenbach’s only opera, which depicts an enigmatic journey of the poet Hoffmann’s romance, will return to the NNTT for the first time in eight years. It is an absolute gem of French opera, featuring chic and beautiful music such as “Les oiseaux dans la charmille /The doll song” sung by splendid coloratura sopranos and the well-known “Barcarolle/Boat song”. The stage, which is filled with the Arlaud’s unique colours, thoroughly il-lustrates the fantasy of this work. The title role will be sung by the Arturo Chacón-Cruz, who is making remarkable progress after debuting in the same role at La Scala last year. We also invite celebrated singer Mark S. Doss, who takes on four villainous roles. Audiences will also enjoy three Japanese sopranos, who flamboyantly play opposite each other as Hoffmann’s lovers.

Set in Spain, the fatal love of Carmen the femme fatale, and Don José, flares up with enthusiasm and passion.

Together with the well-known arias such as “Habanera” and “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre/Toreador song”, Carmen, a free-spirited woman, and Don José, an honest and trusting man, unfurls a drama of love and death. This great masterpiece of Bizet, with over-whelming popularity around the world, will be directed by Uyama Hitoshi, who brings a flavour of Spain to this production. Carmen will be sung by Ketevan Kemoklidze, a popular mezzo-soprano who combines fine singing abilities, good looks, and acting skills so well that she is flooded with acting offers from opera houses all over the world. Gaston Rivero, a young tenor who attracts audiences with his mellow voice and sweet mask, will sing Don José.

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Tickets on Sale from Sep. 21(Sat) S ¥23,100 A ¥18,900 B ¥12,600 C ¥7,350 D ¥4,200

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The Coorperative Performance at the Arts, Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs

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CARMENLES CONTES D’HOFFMANN

Music by Giacomo Puccini

Opera in 2 Acts



From 2011 perform


Performance from

Finnish National O

pera, Photo: Stefan Bremer

New ProductionMusic by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Opera in 3 Acts

Sung in German with Japanese Subtitles


STAF F : ConduCtor: Keri-lynn Wilson 1ProduCtion: KuriyAmA tAmiyA 2sCenery design: sHimA jiroCostume design: mAedA AyAKoligHting design: KAtsusHibA jiroCAST: mAdAmA butterfly: AlexiA VoulgAridou 3PinKerton: miKHAil AgAfonoV 4sHArPless: KAi eijiro 5suzuKi: obAyAsHi tomoKo 6goro: uCHiyAmA sHingo 7lo zio bonzo: sHimurA fumiHiKo 8il PrinCiPe yAmAdori: KobAyAsHi yosHiKiKAte PinKerton: ono WAKAKo


STAF F : ConduCtor: jAroslAV KyzlinK 1ProduCtion: KAsPer Holten 2sCenery design: es deVlinCostume design: KAtrinA lindsAyligHting design: WolfgAng gÖbbelCAST: PAul: torsten Kerl 3mAriettA/mArie: meAgAn miller 4frAnK/fritz: tHomAs joHAnnes mAyer 5brigittA: yAmAsHitA mAKiKo 6gAston/ViCtorin: oHArA KeiroH 7juliette: HirAi KAori 8grAf Albert: itogA sHuHei 9luCienne: ono WAKAKo 10


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 MARCH 2014OPERA PALACE OPERA PALACE

The tragedy of Cio-Cio San, who devoted herself to single-minded love, will appear on our premier stage where many masterpieces have been performed.

This is the popular work of Puccini, well known for its aria “Un bel dì vedremo/One fine day”. Kuriyama Tamiya’s production is simple yet beautiful. It will talk eloquently about the single-minded love and tragedy of Cio-Cio San, together with Puccini’s mellifluous and dra-matic music. The role of Cio-Cio San will be sung by Alexia Voulgaridou, a beautiful soprano singer who played the same role for her first time in Hamburg in 2012 and received great acclaim. Mikhail Agafonov, who gave a much-lauded performance in our 2010 production of “Andrea Chénier” in the title role, will play Pinkerton. On the podium will be Keri-Lynn Wilson, who is taking active roles in the Vienna State Opera and Bavarian State Opera, win-ning attention from all over the world.

A tale of loss and recovery that unfurls in the atmosphere of fin-de-siècle decadence.

The magnum opus of Erich Wolfgang Korngold finally appears at the NNTT. In the historical Belgian city of Bruges, Paul meets a woman who is a spitting image of his late wife. “Die tote Stadt” fantastically illustrates the tale of his perverted time. Korngold enjoyed great success as a prodigy in Vienna in the early 20th century, but soon after was buffeted by the winds of his era and forced to flee for America, where he became famous as a film music composer. Korngold’s music is in the style of post-romanticism, which is reminiscent of R. Strauss and Mahler, and his sweet melodies and rich orchestral music are appealing. We proudly present an outstanding cast, including Torsten Kerl as Paul, who is singing the same role all over the world. This is an unmissable performance for opera fans.

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Tickets on Sale from Sep. 22 (Sun)S ¥21,000 A ¥15,750 B ¥10,500 C ¥6,300 D ¥3,150

Tickets on Sale from Oct. 13 (Sun) S ¥26,250 A ¥21,000 B ¥14,700 C ¥8,400 D ¥5,250

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DIE TOTE STADTMADAMA BUTTERFLY

WOzzECKCAVALLERIA RUSTICANA

/I PAGLIACCIMusic by Alban Berg

Opera in 3 Acts

Sung in Germanwith Japanese Subtitles


From 2009 perform


New ProductionCavalleria Rusticana

Music by Pietro Mascagni

Opera in 1 Act


I PagliacciMusic by Ruggiero Leoncavallo

Opera in 2 Acts


STAF F : ConduCtor: gunter neuHold 1ProduCtion: AndreAs Kriegenburg 2sCenery design: HArAld tHorCostume design: AndreA sCHrAAdligHting design: stefAn bolligerCAST: WozzeCK: georg nigl 3tAmbourmAjor: romAn sAdniK 4Andres: moCHizuKi tetsuyA 5HAuPtmAnn: WolfgAng sCHmidt 6doKtor: tsumAyA HideKAzu 7HAndWerKsbursCH 1: osAWA KenHAndWerKsbursCH 2: HAgiWArA junder nArr: AoCHi HideyuKimArie: elenA zHidKoVA 8mArgret: yAmAsHitA mAKiKo 9


STAF F : ConduCtor: renAto PAlumbo 1ProduCtion: gilbert deflo 2sCenery & Costume design: WilliAm orlAndiligHting design: roberto VenturiCAST: [CAVAlleriA rustiCAnA]turiddu: WAlter frACCAro 3 sAntuzzA: luCreCiA gArCiA 4lolA: tAniguCHi mutsumiAlfio: nAritA HiroyuKi 5luCiA: moriyAmA KyoKo[i PAgliACCi]CAnio: gustAVo PortA 6neddA: rACHele stAnisCi 7tonio: Vittorio Vitelli 8PePPe: yosHidA HiroyuKisilVio: yonAsHiro Kei


APRIL 2014 MAY 2014OPERA PALACE OPERA PALACE

The insanity of Wozzeck that drives him to doom. A significant milestone of the 20th century opera.

This startling production of Kriegenburg, which depicts the tragedy of people at the bottom of the heap from the viewpoint of Wozzeck, and received great acclaim in 2009, makes a much-awaited return to the NNTT. This work is one of few 20th century operas that have become part of the popular repertoire of many opera houses worldwide. Alban Berg’s music is so elaborate that audiences cannot resist its beauty. On the podium will be world-renowned conductor, Günter Neuhold. The title role will be sung by George Nigl, who is known for modern opera and who played the same role at the Bavarian State Op-era in 2012. Marie will be sung by Elena Zhidkova, who is highly popular among audiences at the NNTT.

Love-hate dramas that vividly portray the passion of Southern Italy.Two great masterpieces of Verismo Opera.

“Cavalleria Rusticana” is well known for its beautiful yet wistful interlude, while “I Pagliacci” grabs your hearts with its passionate tenor ‘Vesti La Giubba/Put on the costume’. These magnum opuses of verismo opera depict the tragedy caused by love and jealousy in the context of the rich provincialism and religious atmosphere of Southern Italy. Conducting will be Renato Palumbo, who is a real hand at Italian opera. Directing will be Gilbert Deflo, who is playing active roles in the Paris Opera House and the Zurich Opera. You can also look forward to a vocal feast from Lucrecia Garcia, who enjoys popularity at La Scala, and Gustavo Porta, who earned critical praise for his debut as a Canio at Vienna State Opera.

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Tickets on Sale from Nov. 23 (Sat) S ¥23,100 A ¥18,900 B ¥12,600 C ¥7,350 D ¥4,200

Tickets on sale from Jan. 18 (Sat), 2014S ¥26,250 A ¥21,000 B ¥14,700 C ¥8,400 D ¥5,250

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Scenery Plan2013/2014 Season Opera Sponsor

ARABELLAMusic by Richard Strauss

Opera in 3 Acts

Sung in German with Japanese Subtitles


From 2011 Perform


From the 2010 Perform


Music by Ikebe Shinichiro

Opera in 4 Acts

Sung in Japanese with Japanese Subtitles


STAF F : ConduCtor: bertrAnd de billy 1ProduCtion, sCenery, ligHting design: PHiliPPe ArlAud 2Costume design: mori HAnAeCAST: grAf WAldner: tsumAyA HideKAzu 3AdelAide: tAKemoto setsuKo 4mAndryKA: WolfgAng KoCH 5mAtteo: steVe dAVislim 6ArAbellA: AnnA gAbler 7zdenKA: AnjA-ninA bAHrmAnn 8grAf elemer: moCHizuKi tetsuyAgrAf dominiK: HAgiWArA jungrAf lAmorAl: oKubo mitsuyAdie fiAKer-milli: yAsui yoKo 9eine KArtenAufsCHlÄgerin: yodA AsAKo


STAF F : ConduCtor: iimori noriCHiKA 1ProduCtion: uyAmA HitosHi 2sCenery design: sHimA jiroCostume design: mAedA AyAKoligHting design: sAWAdA yujiCHoreogrAPHer: uedA HAruKACAST: Count KAgeyAmA HisAtosHi: KurodA HirosHi (19, 21) 3 yonAsHiro Kei (20, 22) 4Countess AsAKo, His Wife: oKurA yuKie (19, 21) 5 KosHigoe mAmi (20, 22) 6 AKiKo: tAKAHAsHi nobuKo (19, 21) 7 KoudA HiroKo (20, 22) 8HisAo: idAne yAsuHiKo (19, 21) 9 suzuKi jun (20, 22) 10

CHorus: neW nAtionAl tHeAtre CHorus orCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrA

MAY/JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014OPERA PALACE PLAYHOUSE

A love story of beautiful sisters who dream about romance with the men of their destiny.

This is indeed a veritable masterpiece in which the love story of two sisters - Arabella and Zdenka - is portrayed with R. Strauss’s sweet and sophisticated music in the setting of the aristocracy of Vienna. Philippe Arlaud decorates the stage with 300 kinds of blue, grasping audiences’ eyes with vividness. Along with the elegant and gorgeous costumes designed by Mori Hanae, his staging is one of the main attractions. We have invited a fascinating cast, which includes artists such as Bertrand de Billy, who is active in both fields of opera and orchestras worldwide, Wolfgang Koch, who has worked at many top-class opera houses in Europe, focusing on the Wagner opera, and Anna Gabler, who performed very well as Rosalinde in the “Die Fledermaust” in 2011.

A love-hate drama and a conspiracy swirling in the splendid social circles of the Meiji era.A masterpiece of opera produced by the NNTT.

The “Rokumeikan” was originally a masterpiece of a play written by Mishima Yukio, but it has been skillfully re-produced by Ikebe Shinichiro into a dramatic opera. The opera, that had its world premiere as a newly commissioned work at the NNTT and made a splash in 2010, will return to the NNTT this season. This love-hate drama of a parent and child’s relationship unfurls in the setting of the gorgeous Rokumeikan. In the ballroom scene of the fourth act, breathless, dramatic music plays while a masked crowd dances an eerie Waltz, adding a tremendous boost to the drama. Making his NNTT debut will be conductor Iimori Norichika, who is working actively both in Japan and abroad. Powerful singers who represent the best of Japanese opera will meet together on this stage as well.

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Tickets on sale from Jan. 25 (Sat), 2014S ¥26,250 A ¥21,000 B ¥14,700 C ¥8,400 D ¥5,250

Tickets on sale from Mon. 1 (Sat), 2014S ¥15,750 A ¥12,600 B ¥8,400 C ¥6,300 D ¥3,150

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BALLET &DANCE

The 2013/2014 Season is full of exciting works, the opening programme, a celebration of the twenti-eth century’s greatest ballet composer, Stravinsky. The Firebird, Apollo and Les Noces, seminal works from three of Diaghilev’s greatest choreographers, Fokine, Balanchine and Nijinska, give us a mouth watering taste of the Ballets Russe company.

Maki Asami’s The Nutcracker returns to the repertory, and along with her revision of Swan Lake continues our annual homage to Tchaikovsky, the nineteenth century’s greatest ballet composer.

The New National Theatre remains true to both its classical heritage and its commitment to the future, and this season the Contemporary Dance division and the National Ballet of Japan are both presenting exciting new work to challenge both dancers and audiences.

Acclaimed choreographer Nakamura Megumi will create a new work UNE PETITE MAISON for the first of two programmes in the Playhouse, the second being a revival of Shakespeare THE SONNETS. Also in the Playhouse, another of my favourite Japanese choreographers, Onodera Shuji revives A Women’s House.

Choreographers from within the Company ranks once again present new dance pieces. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot the choreographers of tomorrow in Second Steps!

It’s the choreographers of yesterday who are remembered in a special programme dedicated to early dance pioneers in Japan that marks the end of the Dance Season in June.

Back on the Playhouse stage, more creativity, with the world premiere of a new piece by choreog-rapher Jessica Lang, rising star in the choreographic firmament, Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements, and Hans Van Manen’s seminal Grosse Fuge, a beautiful and sensuous dance-work. And finally, two programmes of my own work end this season and alongside my Carmina Burana, I have chosen to present my most recent short ballet, Faster, as accompaniment. Created to celebrate the London Olympic Games of 2012, Faster is an exploration of both the agony and ecstasy of Olympian sportsmen and women. Finally, Benjamin Britten, whose 100th anniversary we celebrate during this season, wrote The Prince of the Pagodas in 1957, and with this, our 2011 production of his ballet, I take my leave. I do hope that you will find something to excite you in this my final season.

David BintleyArtistic Director, Ballet & Dance

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New Production

STAF F : musiC: igor strAVinsKy

tHe firebirdCHoreogrAPHy: miKHAil foKinesCenery: diCK birdCostumes: nAtAliA gonCHAroVAligHting: sAWAdA yuji

APolloCHoreogrAPHy: george bAlAnCHine

les noCesCHoreogrAPHy: bronislAVA nijinsKAdesigns: nAtAliA gonCHAroVA

ConduCtor: Koen KesselsorCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrACHorus: neW nAtionAl tHeAtre CHorus

CAST:“tHe firebird”firebird: ono AyAKo (13,16) 1/ yonezAWA yui (15,17) 5iVAn tsAreViCH: yAmAmoto ryuji (13,16) 2/sugAno Hideo (15,17) 6tHe beAutiful tsAreVnA: terAdA AsAKo (13,16) 3/motojimA miWA(15,17) 7tHe immortAl KostCHei: mAylen tleubAeV 4 (13,16)/furuKAWA KAzunori(15,17) 8

“APollo”APollo: fuKuoKA yudAi (13,16) 9/tbA(15,17)

NOVEMBER 2013 OPERA PALACE

A splendid homage for Diaghilev & Stravinsky

We present “Apollo” and “Les Noces” for the first time at our theatre, together with “The Firebird” which gained a great popularity at the NNTT in the past. These works are gold standards created by Diaghilev, a founder of Ballets Russes who made an impact on Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, and by Stravinsky, one of the most prominent composers of the 20th century. These three works will be presented on a scale that could only be realized by the NNTT. The 2013/2014 Season opens with a homage to the legendary ballet company that established the fundamentals of Modern Ballet.

The FirebirdThis Russian folklore-based work was the main act of the second performance for Ballets Russes in Paris. Stravinsky, who was unknown in the world, or Russia, at that time, came into the spotlight with this work after Diaghilev requested the young composer to write its music. The National Ballet of Japan presented this work in 2010 and received great acclaim.

Apollo (Company Premiere)Apollo is a masterpiece of George Balanchine from his Ballets Russes era, and this work is regarded as the first example of neoclassical ballet. This work portrays how Apollo, the God of the Sun, climbs Mount Parnassus, together with three goddesses: Calliope, the Goddess of Epic Poetry; Polyhymnia, the Goddess of Hymns; and Terpsichore, the Goddess of Dance.

Les Noces (Company Premiere)Les Noces depicts the Russian wedding ceremony in a stylized manner. Starting with prepara-tions for a young bride, it continues to a celebration for a bridegroom, departure from the bride’s parents’ house, and then on to a celebratory feast. The gruffness of the music, which shares primitivism in common with “The Rite of Spring”, is reflected in Nijinska’s choreography, too. The performance includes music from four pianos, a vigorous corps de ballet, with group singing, and the sense of exaltation growing towards its final stage, giving such a special kind of atmosphere that this ballet is counted as a magnum opus of the 21st century.

13W7:00

Tickets on sale from Jul. 27 (Sat)S ¥12,600 A ¥10,500 B ¥7,350 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

15F7:00

16SA2:00

17 Su2:00

17

BALLETS RUSSES

STRAVINSKY EVENING

Photo: From 2010 perform

ance “The Firebird”, Photo: Shikam

a Takashi

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The Sponsored Performance at the Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs

STAF FmusiC: Pyotr ilyiCH tCHAiKoVsKyCHoreogrAPHy: mArius PetiPA / leV iVAnoVProduCtion: mAKi AsAmidesigns: Peter CAzAletligHting: sAWAdA yuji

ConduCtor: Alexei bAKlAnorCHestrA: toKyo symPHony orCHestrA

STAF F : musiC: Pyotr ilyiCH tCHAiKoVsKylibretto: mArius PetiPACHoreogrAPHy: leV iVAnoVProduCtion: mAKi AsAmidesigns: olAf zombeCKligHting: tAtsutA yuji

CAST:sugAr Plum fAiry: AyAKo ono (17, 21) 1 yui yonezAWA (18, 22) 2 miWA motojimA (20, 23) 3 KAyo nAgAtA (21)PrinCe: Hideo sugAno (17, 21) 4 yudAi fuKuoKA (18, 22) 5 KosuKe oKumurA (20, 23) mAylen tleubAeV (21) 6

ConduCtor: idA KAtsuHiroorCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrACHorus: tHe little singers of toKyo

DECEMBER 2013 FEBRUARY 2014OPERA PALACE OPERA PALACE

The crowning work of classical ballet worth watching any number of times will be performed in the distinctive, high quality NNTT style.

“Swan Lake” has won enormous popularity among classical ballets due to Tchaikovsky’s lyrical music and its captivating dance. Our former artistic director, Maki Asami, revised and re-choreographed the original NNTT production in 2006. In this production, a prologue was added to highlight the sad destiny of Odette, so that the beautiful love story can be portrayed with more texture. Another feature is that the scene of Russkaya, an often-omit-ted Russian dance, will be performed by a solo leading dancer. British artist Peter Cazalet will beautifully decorate the stage with a modern and sophisticated chromatic sensation. Our audiences tell us that even though they have watched this work again and again, they still discover something new each time. The advanced techniques and the deep expression of the lead dancers, and the beauty of the ensemble of corps de ballet, can surely reaffirm the attractiveness of the National Ballet of Japan.

The ultimate Christmas ballet!A fantasy ballet that will please both children and adults.

“The Nutcracker” is a seasonal tradition that will be performed at theatres all around the world during the Christmas season, its story unfurling alongside the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky and attracting both children and adults. “The Nutcracker” of the NNTT is an original production revised by Maki Asami, who was artistic director in 2009. Since then it has received a favorable reception after every performance. This ballet is filled with the distinctive highlights of the NNTT: an opening scene that brings to mind modern-day Tokyo; a storyline that includes a jaw-dropping Santa Claus and that even small children can relate to; choreography strewn with advanced techniques; gorgeous stage composition in which a number of lead dancers appear as soloists; and stage art filled with rich and deluxe colours perfectly suited to Christmas.

17Tu7:00

15SA2:00

Tickets on sale from Sep. 14 (Sat)S ¥12,600 A ¥10,500 B ¥7,350 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

Tickets on sale from Nov. 10 (Sun)S ¥10,500 A ¥8,400 B ¥6,300 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

18W7:00

16Su2:00

20F7:00

21F7:00

21 SA2:00 & 7:00

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22 SA2:00

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SWAN LAKETHE NUTCRACKER

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ance, Photo: Seto Hidem

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STAF FCHoreogrAPHy: dAVid bintley

fAstermusiC: mAttHeW HindsonsCenery And Costumes: beCs AndreWsligHting: Peter mumford

CArminA burAnAmusiC: CArl orffsCenery And Costumes: PHiliP ProWseligHting: Peter mumford

ConduCtor: PAul murPHyorCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrACHorus: neW nAtionAl tHeAtre CHorus

STAF FsymPHony in tHree moVements musiC: igor strAVinsKyCHoreogrAPHy: george bAlAnCHine

grosse fuge musiC: ludWig VAn beetHoVenCHoreogrAPHy: HAns VAn mAnensets: jeAn-PAul VroomCostumes: HAns VAn mAnenligHting: jAn HofstrA

neW WorK CHoreogrAPHy: jessiCA lAng

APRIL 2014MARCH 2014 OPERA PALACEPLAYHOUSE

A hot new work and a timeless masterpiece… Enjoy Bintley’s world!

We present two works choreographed by David Bintley: “Faster” is a work inspired by the Olympic Games, which premiered in Britain in June 2012 and gained a high reputation; the other work is a popular repertoire, “Carmina Burana”, which became the catalyst to connect Bintley and the National Ballet of Japan.

Faster (Japan Premiere)This new work was produced in celebration of the 2012 London Olympics. This is the first time for this work to be performed in Japan. Its title is derived from the motto of the Olympics - “Faster, Higher, Stronger” - and dancers are made up as athletes to express their speed, strength, and sportsmanship. The music is directed by Matthew Hindson, who also composed “E=mc2”, another Bintley work. The world premiere in Britain on June 2012 received a great response.

Carmina BuranaThe sensational ballet “Carmina Burana” fuses the world of Medieval German secular songs and British pop culture and was performed at the NNTT in 2005 & 2010, attracting tremendous interest. In the melody of cantata, Carmina Burana, composed by Orff, it depicts how three monks are swept up by secular lust. Its dramatic music, including three soloist singers, will satisfy music lovers as well. In combination with Bintley’s strong, witty choreography, this performance will surely please many audiences.

The NNTT presents the world premiere of Jessica Lang, a new star of choreography who is winning a lot of attention in the dance world. Furthermore as part of this triple bill, two other premiere works for the NNTT are lined up: “Symphony in Three Movements” is a work filled with a sense of speed and choreographed by George Balanchine, a representa-tive choreographer of the 20th century; and “Grosse Fuge”, a work choreographed for the string quartet of Beethoven by Hans van Manen, a central figure in the dance world of the Netherlands. This will be a valuable opportunity for you to enjoy the works of three seminal choreographers.

Symphony in Three Movements (Company Premiere)“Symphony in Three Movements” premiered as an opening work of the Stravinsky Festival at Lincoln Centre, USA, in 1972. The breathtaking show will be performed with a sense of speed, brutal energy, and the complicated formation of the corps de ballet.

Grosse Fuge (Company Premiere)Grosse Fuge is one of the representative works of Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen, and premiered at the Netherlands Dance Theatre in 1971. This work portrays the relations of four couples in a sensual atmosphere.

New Work (World Premiere)Choreography by Jessica Lang

19SA6:00

18Tu7:00

Tickets on sale from Jan. 19, 2014 (Sun)S ¥10,500 A ¥8,400 B ¥6,300 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

Tickets on sale from Dec.15 (Sun)S ¥10,500 A ¥8,400 B ¥6,300 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

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FASTER / CARMINA BURANASYMPHONY IN THREE MOVEMENTS/GROSSE FUGE/NEW WORK BY JESSICA LANG

20 ©Bill C

ooper. Photo: Symphoney in T

hree Movem

ents, Choreography by G

eorge Balanchine, ©1972 T

he George Balanchine Trust



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STAF F :direCtion: nAKAmurA megumi/sHuto yAsuyuKiCHoreogrAPHy: nAKAmurA megumimusiC: dirK P. HAubliCHligHting: AdACHi HisAsHisound: uCHidA mAKotAset design: sugiyAmA itAruCostume: yoHji yAmAmoto inC./yAmAdA izumi

CAST:nAKAmurA megumisHuto yAsuyuKi

STAF F : musiC: benjAmin brittenCHoreogrAPHy: dAVid bintleydesigns: rAe smitHligHting: sAWAdA yuji

ConduCtor: PAul murPHyorCHestrA: toKyo PHilHArmoniC orCHestrA

OCT. 2013JUNE 2014 THE PLAYHOUSEOPERA PALACE

Nakamura Megumi and Shuto Yasuyuki appeared at the NNTT for the first time in autumn 2011 in “Shakespeare THE SONNETS”. They won great acclaim portraying the world of darkness and light on the stage of PLAYHOUSE, through various characters such as “Juliet”, “Othello”, and “Shylock”, in addition to the “Poet, Dark lady, and Fair Youth”. In this season, in addition to Programme B, which is a rerun of the “Shakespeare THE SONNETS”, we will present Programme A of the most recent work “UNE PETITEMAISON” inspired by the creativity of architect, Le Corbusier.

PROGRAMME A - UNE PETITE MAISON (New Piece)

PROGRAMME B - Shakespeare THE SONNETS

A masterpiece, which won great admiration will return to meet hot demand.

“The Prince of the Pagodas”, which the National Ballet of Japan premiered in 2011, drawing high praise, will return to the NNTT by popular demand. With inspiration from Japanese culture and art, Bintley revives a phantasmal grand ballet created by Cranko as a totally new artwork. This is an adventurous fantasy in which Princess Belle Sakura sets out on a journey to save her father, and meets her long-lost older brother in the far-off Pagoda Land. Coupled with Britten’s music, heavily tinged with gamelan, the heartwarming story, in which witty and unique characters such as Yokai (monsters) and sea horses appear, leaves a deep impression on audiences. Bintley himself says: “This is an homage to the great country, Japan, and its people.” Don’t miss this work, which fuses the cultures of Japan and Britain in an artful way. For your information, the Birmingham Royal Ballet is also scheduled to perform this work in 2014.

4F7:00

12TH7:00

Tickets on sale nowS ¥6,300 A ¥5,250 B ¥4,200 C ¥3,150

Tickets on sale from Mar. 16, 2014 (Sun) S ¥12,600 A ¥10,500 B ¥7,350 C ¥4,200 D ¥3,150

5SA3:00

13F2:00

9W7:00

14SA2:00 & 7:00

10 TH7:00

15 Su2:00

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THE PRINCE OF THE PAGODAS

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Photo: Seto Hidem

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ance, Photo: Shikama Takashi

NAKAMURA MEGUMI & SHUTO YASUYUKI

The Cooperative Performance at the Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs

Programme A Programme B

DANCE TO THE FUTURESECOND STEPS - CHOREOGRAPHIC GROUP A WOMAN’S HOUSE

‘LA C

HA

MBR

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IRE’, Photo: Falk W

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From 2012 perform

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roup SHO

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a Takashi

direCtion: dAVid bintleyCHoreogrAPHed And Performed by Artists of tHe nAtionAl bAllet of jAPAn

STAF F direCtion/CHoreogrAPHy: onoderA sHujiligHting: isono sHinyAset design: mAtsuoKA izumiCostumes: domoto KyoKo

CASTComPAny derAsHinerAAsAno KAzuyuKi, KAjiHArA AKiKo, KoHCHi HiroKAzu, tAKeuCHi HideAKi, fujitA momoKo, onoderA sHuji

DEC 2013 THE PIT

‘Following on from the unprecedented success of the National Ballet’s first choreographic evening, First Steps, choreographers from within the Company ranks once again present an evening of new dance pieces. Since it’s beginnings in the Royal Courts of Italy and France in the 17th Century, ballet has established itself as a universal art form capable of expressing the deepest longings and desires of mankind, through the mediums of dance, music and theatrical design. New choreography is the lifeblood of that art form, for despite the greatness of our history and the rich canon of our repertoire, without new ballets we simply have no future other than becoming a museum for the works of past generations.

I am delighted that we have so many young aspirant choreographers within the company. The standard of their work, their imaginative and enquiring exploration of new ideas and movement is a joyous affirmation of the future of ballet in Japan. Second Steps promises to be once again a highlight of The National Ballet’s 2013/14 Season

In the 2011/2012 season, Onodera Shuji received high acclaim and the overwhelming support of audiences for their new production of “The Brothers Karamazov” at THE PIT. This season, they revise and re-run “A Woman’s House”, which was performed in 2008, and became a trigger to their success. Along with its speedy and simulative production, and choreography which gives a temporary illusion that dancers can manipulate the interspace with freedom, dialogue will be added, creating a world no one has ever seen.

7SA2:00

Tickets on sale from Oct.9 (Mon)A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

8Su2:00

24 25

JANUARY 2014 THE PLAYHOUSE23TH7:00

Tickets on sale from Oct. 20, 2013 (Sun)A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

24F7:00

25SA3:00

26 Su3:00

From 2010 perform

ance “The R

ite of Spring”, Photo: Shikama Takashi

JUNE 2014 THE PLAYHOUSE

This is the first installation of a project in which we look back the 100-year history of Modern Dance in Japan, and together with revival performances of past works, we also assemble and present the work of young artists who are the representatives of today. We will restore and present the works of those who pioneered Japan-specific contemporary dance. While confirming the original point of Modern Dance in Japan, we will also look towards the future.

Part 1 “The Drumming of Japan” (1951) choreographed by Ito Eguchi Takaya

Part 2 Small Pieces“Pizzicati” (1916) choreographed by Ito Michio“Whetting Appetite” (1925) choreographed by Ishii Baku“White Gloves” (1940) choreographed by Ishii Baku“Mother” (1941) choreographed by Takata Seiko“BANBAN” (1950) choreographed by Hinoki Kenji<Tango Trilogy>“Tango” (1927) choreographed by Ito Michio“Tango” (Japan Premier in 1937) choreographed by Komori Satoshi“Tango” (1933) choreographed by Miya Misako

Part 3 “The Rite of Spring” (2008) choreographed by Hirayama Motoko/ Yanagimoto Toshi

7SA3:00

Tickets on sale fromfrom Mar. 9, 2014 (Sun)A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

8Su3:00

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DANCE ARCHIVES IN JAPAN

PLAYRespective points of view

The curtain will rise on the 2013/2014 season with Opus, the first installment of a series titled ‘Try•Angle – The Viewpoints of Three Directors’. The “Try-Angle” series was named after the meaning of ‘Try’, ‘Angle of viewpoint’, and ‘Three Directors’. This series aims to provide an opportunity for three directors to bring out their abilities with no restraint. The three directors (Ogawa Eriko, Mori Shintaro, Kamimura Satoshi) are continuously creating some of the most fulfilling works today and are expected to lead the next generation of directing talent.

The plays selected by each director are varied in their theme, era, country and language. As a result, our line-up has become a very ambitious one. How do they cut into a world created by playwrights? And how will the story’s universe be allowed to unfold with original methods and viewpoints? The three directors’ trials will surely provide telling clues that will lead us to think about the essence of “staging” a work, and to explore its possibility at the same time.

In November-December, as the eighth work in the ‘Japan Meets’ series, NNTT presents a work of Bernard Shaw, a representative playwright of British modern theatre, for the first time on our stage. Pygmalion, an original piece that inspired the musical My Fair Lady is a quite witty and humorous work on the subject of regional characteristics and class differences in language.

Secondly, we will be staging a muscular production of “History of Mizuho in Manila” directed by Kuriyama Tamiya. The piece was written by Akimoto Matsuyo, who built up her own universe of art based on such themes as nation and ethnicity. Following “A Long Line of Grave Stones”, the graduates of the NNT Drama Studio are expected to exert their young talents.

In June, we will feature Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, directed by Shirai Akira who staged an audacious production of Castle Tower in May 2011. The world of a masterpiece that even became the theme for part of the Opening Ceremony for the London Olympics will spread all over the stage of Playhouse.

Furthermore, “Nineteen-year-old Jacob”, a novel written by Nakagami Kenji, will revive as a new play scripted by Matsui Shu and directed by Matsumoto Yukichi. Nakagami was a man obsessed with his blood and regional characteristics and who wrote in an energetic way. He has been sorely missed since passing away in 1992.

The crowning piece of the season will be the Japanese premiere performance of “Time Stands Still”, which premiered in New York in 2009. Focusing around wars and conflicts which are repeatedly occurring in the world, this is a thought-provoking piece which allows audiences to think about the passion, bafflement, and dilemmas of those who are engaged and involved in battle and who face their own personal problems.

Through the viewpoint of playwrights, directors, and translators, and seeking a path to look ahead to the future of the theatre world, I hope to walk together with my dearest audiences throughout this year.

Miyata KeikoArtistic Director, Play

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STAF F : ligHting: sugiurA HiroyuKiodAWArA jun (tHe rite of sPring)sound: KAWAtA yAsuomusiC suPerVisor: KAsAmAtsu yAsuHiromusiC PlAyed by: tsuCHidA eisuKe, sHinodA mAsAnAKA (Pf.) And otHersCollAborAted WitH: ContemPorAry dAnCe AssoCiAtion of jAPAn (CdAj)

STAF F :Written by: george bernArd sHAWtrAnslAted by: odAsHimA KosHidireCted by: miyAtA KeiKo

CAST:isHiHArA sAtomi 1HirA tAKeHiro 2KosAKAi KAzuKi 3tsunAsHimA gotAro 4mAsuKo sHizue 5HAsHimoto AtsusHi 6KurAno AKiKo 7HAruKAze Hitomi 8

THE PLAYHOUSE Tickets on sale from Sep. 1(Sun) S ¥8,400 A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

NOVEMEBER/DECEMBER 2013

NNTT presents a much-awaited romantic comedy, an original piece from “My Fair Lady” that was written from the cynical perspective of George Bernard Shaw.

NNTT presents “Pygmalion”, the play that formed the basis of the worldwide hit musical, “My Fair Lady”. In the context of the class society of 20th century London, this romantic comedy, by Nobel prize-winner George Bernard Shaw, will be played by an adorable, talented cast including Ishihara Satomi and Hira Takehiro, who make their debut at the NNTT, and Kosakai Kazuki. It will be fascinating to see how Odashima Koshi’s new translation and Miyata Keiko’s direction creates a brand-new Eliza.

Enjoy this glamorous, yet slightly bitter, romantic comedy this autumn.

13W7:00

22F2:00

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23SA1:006:00

28TH2:007:00

15F1:00

24Su1:00

29F1:00*

30 SA1:006:00

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PYGMALION

STAF F : Written by: miCHAel HollingertrAnslAted by: HirAKAWA dAisAKudireCted by: ogAWA eriKo

CAST:dAntA yAsunori 1AijimA KAzuyuKi 2Kondo yosHimAsA 3KAto torAnosuKe 4ise KAyo 5

THE PIT Tickets on Sale now A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

THE PIT Tickets on sale from Jul. 28(Sun) A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

SEPTEMEBER 2013

OCTOBER 2013

We believed we were good buddies, but… A great comedy for adults, buzzing around a middle-aged quartet, will land in Japan for the first time.

To open the 2013/2014 season, we present “Opus”. The play is being directed by Ogawa Eriko, a budding director who is rapidly making a name for herself in the world of theatre. This will be the first installment of “Try•Angel – The Viewpoints of Three Directors”, a series developed by Artistic Director Miyata Keiko. Miyata organized the series as “she wanted to see how directors in their 30s view the world, and to watch their work as one of the audience”.

Opus, which premiered in the US in 2006, centres on four male members of a string quartet. It is a brilliant work for adults that offers a humorous portrayal of human jealousy and betrayal. Ogawa Eriko brings her keen eye to directing the production, which features a new translation by Hirakawa Daisaku. Hirakawa earlier produced a critically praised translation for the NNTT production of “Copenhagen”.

A tale of a tragic king portrayed by Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, will be mounted as a full-fledged production for the first time in almost a half-century in Japan!

The second installment of the “Try•Angel – The Viewpoints of Three Directors” series will be Edward II. Director Mori Shintaro will tackle Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II. Marlowe was one of the leading playwrights of Elizabethan England. Mori wowed with his directorial talents in NNTT’s April 2011 production of Waiting for Godot (“Japan Meets” series, pt. IV). Edward II has been given a new translation by Kawai Shoichiro.

Christopher Marlowe, who was a contemporary of Shakespeare, wrote six plays, which also include “Doctor Faustus” and “The Jew of Malta”. This will be the first time for “Edward II” to be mounted as a full-fledged production in almost a half-century in Japan.

Marlowe is said to have greatly influenced Shakespeare, and that influence can be seen in the latter’s history play. At this time Mori will direct Marlowe’s historical play in a meticulous yet adventurous manner and that will be certain to get the theatre world talking.

10Tu7:00

22Su1:00

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11W2:00

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25F6:30

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EDWARD II

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CAST:emoto tAsuKu 1nAKAmurA AtAru 2otAni ryosuKeKubozuKA sHunsuKeoHtAKA AKirAKinosHitA HiroyuKinAKAmurA AKioisHizumi AKiHiKosHimofusA gentArotAnidA AyumiisHidA yosHiHisAHAsegAWA KoHAnzAi sHintAroodA yutAKAHArA yAsuyosHinisHimoto HiroyuKisAgAWA tetsuro

STAF F :Written by: CHristoPHer mArloWetrAnslAted by: KAWAi sHoiCHirodireCted by: mori sHintAro

OPUS

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“Try • Angel – The Viewpoints of Three Directors” series- Vol.1 ( Japan Premiere)

“Try • Angel – The Viewpoints of Three Directors” - Vol.2 (New Translation)

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The Sponsored Performance at the Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs

*Private Performance

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THE TEMPEST

STAF F : Written by: jeAn-PAul sArtretrAnslAted by: iWAKiri sHoiCHirodireCted by: KAmimurA sAtosHi

CAST:oKAmoto KeniCHi 1minAmi 2yoKotA eiji 3yosHimoto nAoKo 4KitAgAWA HibiKinisHimurA sogotsuji KAzunAgA 5

THE PIT Tickets on sale from Dec. 14(Sat) A ¥5,250 B ¥3,150

THE PIT

Performance: April , 2014 Tickets on sale from Feb. 15 (Sat), 2014

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

The last script written by Jean-Paul Sartre, exploring themes of war and responsibility.

For the third installment of our “Try∙ Angle – The Viewpoints of Three Directors “ series, director Kamimura Satoshi of Bungaku-za theatre company will take on Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Les Séquestrés d’Altona” (The Condemned of Altona), in a new translation by Iwakiri Shoichiro.

“Les Séquestrés d’Altona” was published in 1959 and premiered in Paris that same year. The play is Sartre’s last, and is commonly cited as one of his best three, alongside Huis-clos (No Exit) and Le Diable et le Bon Dieu (The Devil and the Good Lord). It was written during the days of the Algerian War of Independence (a.k.a. the Algerian War), as a way of calling attention to the torture being committed against Algerians by French troops and their supporters; the setting, however, has been switched to World War II. The play relates the story of Franz, a young man who went off to fight in the war and came back with deep emotional scars. Upon returning, he retreated inside his house and has not left for 13 years. Through Franz, Sartre explores not only the themes of war and responsibility, he also paints a portrait of the sense of despair and hopelessness felt by those who find themselves trapped with no way out.

We are just human sacrifices for southward expansion … A group performance of ordinary people buffeted by a nation through the ages.

Our March 2013 production of Fukuda Yoshiyuki’s “A Long Line of Grave Stones” was conceived as a vehicle for providing opportunities to graduates of the NNT Drama Studio. For our second such production, NNTT presents “History of Mizuho in Manila”, a masterpiece by Akimoto Matsuyo. The play focuses on some of the many people who left Japan for other parts of Asia in search of an ideal world during the middle years of the Meiji era. It offers a perceptive look at the history of Japan and its people, buffeted by the winds of changing times, and explores themes still very much relevant to us living in modern Japan today.

The protagonist, Akioka Denjiro, is modeled after Muraoka Iheiji, who spent many years in Asia start-ing in the Meiji era and ending in the Showa era. Film director Imamura Shohei made a film called Zegen, starring Ogata Ken, also based on the figure of Muraoka. And Akimoto Matsuyo herself, in addition to “History of Mizuho in Manila”, also wrote a biography of Muraoka Iheiji. These two examples give an idea of the extent to which Muraoka has sparked the creativity of artists.

NNTT is proud to bring the epic tale of “History of Mizuho in Manila” back to the stage in a pro-vocative production directed by Kuriyama Tamiya.

19W6:30

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CAST:CHibA tetsuyA 1yAmAnisHi AtsusHi 2inAgAWA miyoKofuruKAWA Koji 3tAKAsHimA rei 4mAedA KAzuyoui HAruo

STAF F :Written by: AKimoto mAtsuyodireCted by: KuriyAmA tAmiyA

HISTORY OF MIzUHO IN MANILA

LES SéqUESTRéS D’ALTONA

STAF F :Written by: WilliAm sHAKesPeAretrAnslAted by: mAtsuoKA KAzuKodireCted by: sHirAi AKirA

CAST:furuyA iKKou 1HAsegAWA HAtsunori 2KoCHi HiroKAzu 3tAyAmA ryosei 4HAbA yuiCHi 5irei KAnAtA 6yAmAno fubito 7sAKurAi AKiyosHi 8nomAguCH toru 9HArA KintAro 10

PLAYHOUSE Performance: May-June, 2014Tickets on sale from Mar. 8 (Sat), 2014

A glorification of humanity, the phantasmal world of Shakespeare.

“The Tempest” was the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. He started with dynamic history plays, created several side-splitting comedies, and wrote a number of tragedies that stand as painstaking examinations into the meaning of human existence. Finally, he produced the Romances, a series of works that give an impression of transparency like the calm after a storm. It is in these works—with their tales of families ripped apart by the cruelties of fate and nature, of people reunited through God’s help, of people who once hated each other making peace after time has passed—that we can glean Shakespeare’s message, which is often a glorification and affirmation of humanity.

“The Tempest” was the first play in the First Folio, the earliest collected edition of Shake-speare’s dramatic works, which was published seven years after his death. It was popular with audiences of the day, and it remains so today; what more proof do we need that contemporary audiences find the play fresh and accessible than the fact “The Tempest” was a key theme for the opening ceremonies of both the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics in London. Like “Hamlet” and “Romeo and Juliet”, “The Tempest” has been released as a film numerous times, and the tale continues to spark the imagination of many directors and film artists.

Directing the production as “The Tempest” comes to the NNTT stage for the first time will be Shirai Akira. Shirai did a magnificent job of bringing the aesthetic world of Izumi Kyoka to life in the November 2011 production of “Tenshu Monogatari”. We all look forward to seeing how Shirai handles the production of this wonderful work from Shakespeare’s later years.

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“Try • Angel – The Viewpoints of Three Directors” - Vol.3

sAibArA yAsuAKifujii sAyuriimAi sAtosHisAito mAriesenzAKi tAKAKoHinumA sAKurAKAjiWArA WAtAru

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Illustration from the First Folio of W

illiam Shakespeare First published in 1623

STAF F :Written by: nAKAgAmi KenjisCriPted by: mAtsui sHu 1direCted by: mAtsumoto yuKiCHi 2

THE PIT

Performance: June, 2014 Tickets on sale from Apr. 6 (Sun), 2014

STAF F :Written by: donAld mArgulies 1trAnslAted by: tsunedA KeiKo 2direCted by: miyAtA KeiKo 3

THE PIT

Performance: July, 2014 Tickets on sale from May 10 (Sat), 2014

The first dramatization of the “Nineteen-year-old Jacob”, a novel by Nakagami Kenji. The adolescence trapped and buffeted by unfocused feelings will be vividly portrayed.

Writer Nakagami Kenji never forgot Roji, a discriminated area where he came from. He wrote about human karma and other subjects in works that teemed with life. Now, 20 years after Nakagami died at the young age of 46, up-and-coming playwright Matsui Shu has adapted this Nakagami novel into a play. Directing the production will be Matsumoto Yukichi, of the inimitable Ishinha theatre company of Osaka. Ishinha has been putting on dynamic outdoor plays for roughly 40 years. “Nineteen-year-old Jacob” will bring the people of the Roji to life on the stage of our Pit theatre.

A German playwright depicts the present moment of “Ja-pan” and “Tokyo”.

The third installment in the “With – Connecting with World Theatre –” series takes us to Germany, with a new play commissioned from Roland Schimmelpfennig. The playwright is counted among the van-guard of Germany’s contemporary theatre scene.

The production of his play Die Frau von Frueher (The Woman Before / Mukashi no onna) brought him to Japan for the first time in 2008. His impressions of Tokyo and of Japan during that period as he traveled about, as well as what he has seen happening in Japan since March 2011 as someone on the outside looking in, helped shape this provocative new work. With his unique perspective, Schimmelpfennig explores the question: How are we going to live from this moment forward? This will be the first time a new Schimmelpfennig play will be premiered in a country outside the German-speaking world.

The story of four men and women in modern New York, revolving around a female war journalist, will premiere in Japan.

In an ongoing project, NNTT selects and mounts quality contemporary works from the US and Europe that have not been performed previously in Japan. The first in this series was our 2012 production of Sixteen Wounded, directed by Miyata Keiko. The second will be Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for his play, Dinner With Friends.

Time Stands Still premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in February 2009. In 2010, it played at the Manhattan Theatre Club, earning positive reviews from the New York Times and other media outlets. It was also nominated for two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

The story revolves around a female journalist, who covered the Iraq War on the ground, and the life changes experienced by her friends and acquaintances. Time Stands Still has been performed in theatres in many countries in recent years; this will be the first time the play is performed in Japan.

TIME STANDS STILL

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1 2 Buying Tickets

At the Box OfficeThe New National Theatre, TokyoBox Office (1st Floor)Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

By TelephoneThe New National Theatre, TokyoBox Office: +81-(0)3-5352-9999Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

By Internet*The New National Theatre, TokyoBox Office website (PC/Cell phone address)http://pia.jp/nntt/ Japanese OnlyOpen 24 Hours (Excludes maintenance hours)*Handling fee applies when buying tickets online.

Accepted Credit CardsAtre, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX,JCB, Diners Club

Other Methods

Ticket Pia 0570-02-9999http://pia.jp/t/ (PC/Cell phone)

Eplushttp://eplus.jp/ (PC/Cell phone)

Lawson Tickets0570-000-407http://l-tike.com/ (PC/Cell Phone)

CN Play guide0570-08-9990 (For Opera & Ballet)0570-08-9999 (For Dance & Play)http://www.cnplayguide.com/ (PC/Cell phone)

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan TS03-5685-0650 (For Opera&Ballet only)http://www.t-bunka.jp/ (PC)

Discount Information** Applies for all seat types (except D & Z seats) * Available from the New National Theatre,

Tokyo Box Office

Senior discount (Age 65 and over)5% discount - Passport requiredStudent discount5% discount - Student ID issued in Japan,or International Student Card requiredJunior discount: (Below Junior High School)20% discount - Passport requiredDiscount for Disabled20% discount - Disabled ID issued in Japan required

Buying Tickets on the Day

Tickets for seat Z can be purchased (¥1,500) atthe New National Theatre, Tokyo Box Office.A Limited number of tickets are available.One ticket per person. Reservation by phone not available.

Student Discount (Except D & Z seats) - 50% discount atthe New National Theatre, Tokyo Box Office.One ticket per person, reservation by phone not available.Student ID issued in Japan orInternational Student Card required.

* Please contact the New National Theatre, Tokyo Box Office for those visiting in a wheelchair.

Other information• No changes or refunds can be made on reserved tickets.• No changes or refunds can be made (excludes cancellation of performance)

• For seat D of Opera performances, maximum of 2 tickets per person on the first day of ticket sale

• Standard ticket fees apply to children• Children under the age of 6 cannot enter any performances (under the age of 4 for Ballet performances)

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NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD JACOB

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New Play

First time in Japan




NUMBER OF SEATS

1,814 Seats

1st Level:868 Seats(Including 8 Seats For Wheelchairs)

2nd Level:354 Seats

3rd Level:292 Seats

4th Level:300 Seats

Furthest Distance From Stage:29m (1st Level), 31m (4th Level)

Buffet: Theatre Levels 1st and 3rd LevelsRestroom: Theatre 1st, 2nd and 3rd Levelson Either Side of the Theatre

SEAT COLOURS

Seat Zs for tickets purchased on theday of performance.

OPERAPALACE

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NUMBER OF SEATS

Proscenium Style:Maximum Of 1,038 Seats


2nd Level:187 Seats

Open Style:Maximum Of 1,010 Seats


2nd Level:249 Seats

Furthest Distance From Stage:25m (2nd Level)

Buffet: Theatre 1st LevelRestroom: Theatre 1st and 2nd Levels,On Either Side Of The Theare

PLAYHOUSE

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NUMBER OF SEATS

End Stage:358~458 Seats(varies by the size of the stage)

Thrust Stage:416 Seats

Centre Stage:420 Seats

Arena Stage:468 Seats

Buffet: Theatre 1st LevelRestroom: Theatre 1st and 2nd Levels

THE PIT

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17 1815 16141311 1210

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17 1815 16141311 1210

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1920

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C5

D1

C6

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

C4

C5

D1

C6

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

CBCB

RB

RB

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1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

2930

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LBLB

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 C3C31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 C2C21 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 C1C11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210

17 1815 16141311 1210

17 1815 16141311 1210

17 1815 16141311 1210 A2

A3

B2

B1

A2

A3

B2

B1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 A1A11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 X2X21 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

17 1815 16141311 1210 X1X11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5

17 1815 16141 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Education Programmes

At the New National Theatre, Tokyo, we take on an activerole in presenting younger generation with the opportunityto experience excellent stage performances. Our aim isto further popularize stage performance, to contributein making our society filled with rich culture with broadminded people, and to educate the young.• Educational Programme

for High School Students (Tokyo/Kansai)• KIDS Opera• KIDS Ballet

Various EventsIn hopes to provide deeper understanding by the audienceand to enhance their experience of the performance,talk events by the staff members and casts are heldin correspondence of the performance. Also for theaudience to experience contemporary stage art, there areeducational materials at the theatre, foyer, library, and at thevideo theatre.• Please check the New National Theatre, Tokyo website

for details: http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/

Backstage TourBackstage tour introduces theatre facilities, and stageequipments. The tour will include going backstage of OperaPalace for those Opera and Ballet audiences, they will get asense of what it is like to be on the performing end.

Young Artists Training ProgrammeIn 1998, the New National Theatre, Tokyo, Opera Studioopened, followed by the opening of the Ballet School in2001, and the Drama Studio in 2005. It is where nextgeneration of talented opera singers, ballet dancers, actorsand actresses train day-in and day-out. This programmeis not only to teach these younger generation withspecific technical skills, with broad knowledge to cultivatethem, but also at the same time to provide them withprogrammes such as stage dedicated to further developingthe talents of younger generation with education ofspecific technical skills, broader knowledge, but to providethem with stage practice which only can be provided bythe theatre attached programme.

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Facility Information

CloakroomEach theatre has its designated cloakroom.

Resting RoomResting room with nurse is available duringperformance hours.

Information Centre (5th level)You can read collections of books and magazines of con-temporary performing arts in the Library. And in the video booths (1 to 2 people) and the video theatre (for group use) you can see visual records of performances staged by New National Theatre, Tokyo.

Opening Hours 10:00am-6:00pm(Reception close at 5:30pm)Closed on Mondays (Except Public Holidays andwhen performances are held).Closed in the summer time, the end and beginning of the year, and when special events are held. For more information on opening days, please refer to theNew National Theatre, Tokyo website.TEL 03-5352-5716

Stage Set & Design Centre (Choshi city, Chiba Prefecture)Facility for storing and displaying stage sets, costumesfrom sponsored performances. In the historical recordbuilding, there are displays of stage set models, costumes,and props. Events are also held here.

Opening Hours10:00am-4:30pm (Final entrance 4:00pm)Closed on Mondays (Or the following weekday if Mondayis public holiday)Closed in the summer time, the end and beginning of the year, and Tuesdays in winter season. *Please refer to the New National Theatre, Tokyo website for opening hours.

Entry Fee ¥200 (Below high school students /65 and older / Those with disabilities can enter for free)1-1044 Toyosatodai, Choshi-shi, ChibaTEL 0479-30-1048

Information Desk & Main Box Office (1st level)General information is available at the InformationDesk, performance information and tickets available atMain Box Office.

Box Office 10:00am-7:00pmTEL +81-(0)3-5352-9999 (Closed at 6:00pm)Open throughout the year(excludes year-end/beginning/theatre holidays)

Meeting Point (1st level)Located at the sub-entrance, flyers of variousperformances are available. Please feel free to use thisspace as a meeting place.

Terrace GardenConnects to the Opera Palace foyer, please come andspend a relaxing time.

Rooftop Garden (5th level)Great place to step out of the building to feel the air.

Opening Hours10:00am-4:00pm (Open until 6:00pm in summertime)Closed on Mondays (Corresponds to Library)

Restaurant Maestro (3rd level)Italian restaurant where pre/after theatre mealscan be enjoyed.

Opening - 11:30am (May defer due to time of theperformance, please contact for more information)TEL 03-3299-0036Reservations available at the theatre during performance.

BuffetDrinks and light meals are available at each theatre.

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AccessTrainHatsudai Station on the Keio-New Line(connected to Toei Shinjuku Line)One station from Shinjuku station.Direct access from Hatsudai main exit.For those with a wheelchair,please use the elevator in the East exit. (Opera City exit)

CarAt the Yamate Dori Street and Koshu Kaido Avenueintersection. (near Shinjuku Ramp of Expressway Route 4)

Parking*Shared with the adjoining Tokyo Opera City Building,visitor parking is available for approximately 860 cars.Parking fee: 300 yen for 30 minutes (7:00am to 11:30pm)

New National Theatre/Tokyo Opera CityBuilding Parking Centre 03-5353-0106

For those visitors watching a performance, there will be adiscount on your parking fees. (Please bring the parkingticket to the Theatre Information)

*Parking for large vehicles (height above 2.1m) is notavailable. For those coming on a coach bus, we requestyou park at the entrance of the theatre. As for otherlarger vehicles, please use the parking at the TokyoMetropolitan Government.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Parking 03-5320-7679

BusToei Bus and Keio Bus routes around Hatsudaistation area.

Tokyo Bus Information Centre03-5360-7111 (weekdays 9:00am-6:00am)

Parking for BicyclesBicycle parking is available on Opera street.(Hatsudai North Exit Bicycle Parking Station)One day fee: ¥100(6:00am-12:00am, manned hours 6:00am~8:00pm)

New National Theatre, TokyoHon-machi 1-1-1, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0071http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/

Published August, 2013Published by The New National Theatre FoundationEdited by The New National Theatre FoundationDesigned by Liam RamshawAdditional Editing/Printing by BC Media Group

Printed in Japan, 2013© 2013 New National Theatre, Tokyo, all rights reserved

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Documents

2013/2014 Season Guide NEW NATIONAL THEATRE,TOKYO · 2017. 4. 12. · Faster/Carmina Burana 21 The Prince of the Pagodas 22 DANCE ... the 2013-2014 season opens with a new production