What this is
Spanning World War II, the present day, and a future more than 700 years from now, this stage adaptation of Takahiro Ueda's epic novel weaves together the memories of people connected across time to question the very nature of individual identity. The cast is led by Koji Seto and Kasumi Arimura, two of Japan's most recognisable stage and screen actors. It's a philosophically ambitious production at one of Tokyo's premier theatrical venues.
Who should go
Theatregoers with an interest in Japanese contemporary drama and literary adaptations will get the most from this. Some familiarity with Japanese is essentially required, as no English subtitles are indicated.
Good to know
Tickets are typically sold via eplus.jp or pia.jp, both of which accept foreign credit cards; convenience store pickup at Lawson or FamilyMart is the most reliable option for visitors without a Japanese delivery address. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Playhouse (東京芸術劇場 プレイハウス) seats around 1,000 and is a fully seated, raked auditorium with good sightlines from most positions. Photography and video recording are almost certainly prohibited during the performance — check the official production page for the exact policy. The venue has a cloakroom for coats and bags. As with most Japanese theatrical productions, latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break, so punctuality matters.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.