We are delighted to announce the 2024/2025 Drama Season at the New National Theatre Tokyo.

7 Productions in Total

• The Pillowman
• Thebes
• The White Guard
• Yoru no Michizure
• Landscapes - Into the Beyond - Vol.1 Mother
• Landscapes - Into the Beyond - Vol.2 The Humans
• Landscapes - Into the Beyond - Vol.3 Morning Disappearance
  

Message from Ogawa Eriko, Artistic Director of Drama

We offer our prayers for all those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake, extending our deepest condolences to their families. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all victims of the disaster.

The 21st century continues to bring unending war and hardship, with fear and unease deeply felt around the world. This season, we have brought together a large collection of life-affirming stories emerging from the turmoil of war and dramatic social changes―exploring themes of pain, loss, worries and living in darkness― while thoughtfully depicting people striving to find hope for the future.

This season opener in October will be Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman. Set in the irrational and cruel world of a fictional country, the story asks questions about the roles and significance of "storytelling". In November, we will premiere the new play Thebes based on the stories of "Oedipus Rex", "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Antigone". This new work explores human destiny--contrasting proclaimed ideals of morality and peace against the desires, fears, and defensiveness that often holds us back. Beginning from the second period of the KOTSU-KOTSU (step-by-step) Development Project, this work will be scripted and directed by Funaiwa Yuta and features cast members from the KOTSU-KOTSU project.

Mikhail Bulgakov's The White Guard is coming up in December. Set in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv just after the Soviet regime takes hold, the story provides insight into present-day events and sheds light on the history behind the ongoing war. In April 2025, we will present Miyoshi Juro's Yoru no Michizure, directed by Yaginuma Akinori, in new trial format called Studio Performance, This limited performance is part of the KOTSU-KOTSU Project and is staged as a work-in-progress. Set in post-war Japan, the story portrays the confusion of the era and explores how people try to find meaning in life and move forward after the historical great war.

Then from May, we will be presenting our series, "Landscapes - Into the Beyond -" This series shines a light on modern-day society through various scenes focusing on the smallest unit of society, the family. In collaboration with the Czech Republic's The National Theatre Brno, we will invite their production of Karel Čapek's Mother as the first work in the series. Depicting a mother and her sons who are sent to fight during the war, this work tells a story of individual tragedy and inner conflict over humanity amidst the brutality of war. The second instalment in the series will be the Japan Premiere of Stephen Karam's The Humans. This work, which was adapted into a film after winning a Tony Award, delves into the existential anxiety and unshared fears of individuals in modern society, even within close family circles.
The third work in the series will feature Morning Disappearance, written in 2018 for the NNTT by Horai Ryuta. Entirely cast through auditions, this production will be directed by Horai himself. We believe that this story, which addresses issues of second-generation religious believers, will resonate even more profoundly with audiences in Japan today.

During wars or conflicts, strong ideologies can thrive, seemingly legitimizing destructive behaviours. However, each and every one of us must bear the heavy burden of the consequences. Moving away from normalization and utilitarianism―turning our gaze to each life, to each individual existence and cultivating compassion for others―sometimes demands tremendous effort, acknowledging there are limits. However, the art of Theatre always possesses the power to foster understanding and acceptance of others, whether they are strangers in distant lands--or right before our eyes. It enables us to discover perspectives previously unknown, empowering us to coexist beyond borders, boundaries and differences, instilling great hope.

We sincerely hope that you will enjoy this season.