2025/2026 Season Drama at the New National Theatre Tokyo
We are delighted to announce the 2025/2026 Drama Season at the New National Theatre Tokyo.
7 Productions in Total
- Yakiniku Dragon
- The Nosebleed
- Three Kingdoms
- Girls & Boys
- Endgame
- A New Play by NOZOE Seiji
- 11 Stories―One Act Anthology
Message from Eriko Ogawa, Artistic Director of Drama
At the beginning of the season, we will present "Yakiniku Dragon" marking the 60th Anniversary of the the Normalization of Japan-Korea Diplomatic Relations. This play originally premiered at the New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT) in 2008, with subsequent revivals in 2011 and 2016, making this its fourth performance. The story is set in 1970, during the time of the World Expo in Osaka, which was held under the theme "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." Now, half a century later, with the Expo being held again, what aspects of the world or of people have changed, and what has remained the same? The play questions our present and the future we envision from here. This will be staged as a Japan-Korea joint production at Seoul Arts Center in Korea. Additionally, as part of a gallery project in collaboration with the Japan-Korea Theatre Communications Center, a reading performance of plays by emerging Korean playwrights and a symposium will also be held.
In November, we will present the guest performance "The Nosebleed". This production, created by Aya Ogawa―who has roots in Japan and is active in Brooklyn, New York―is based on her own history. After a long development period, it premiered in 2017 and won the Obie Award in 2023. The story follows the journey of "failure" and explores the theme of forgiveness towards others and oneself. While it is the story of an individual, it is also a universal story that resonates with each of us living in the today's world.
In December, we will bring you the Japanese premiere of Simon Stephens' "Three Kingdoms".Framed as a suspense, this story delves into societal taboos, the darkness of capitalism, and the shadow world that exists alongside the visible world, exploring the deeper layers of modern society. Satoshi Kamimura, the next Artistic Director of Drama for the NNTT will direct the performance.
In April 2026, we will stage "Girls & Boys". This is a one-woman play in which a certain woman tells the story of the joys and losses of her life, as well as her intense pain. Through her perspective, the collapsing world and the distortions in society are brought to light. This production was originally scheduled to be performed in 2020 but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been made possible through the collaboration of a new team. The direction will be handled by Kae Inaba.
In May, we will stage Samuel Beckett's "Endgame", casting through auditions process. This play which classified as existentialist literature, reflects fundamental questions about human existence, the meaning of life, and how we find the will to continue living amidst all the absurdity. While it may seem like a bleak portrayal of the world's end, it is actually a story that challenges us to reconsider "how to live in a way that prevents it from ending".
In June, we will present a new play by Seiji Nozoe, directed by Nanae Kanazawa who will be making her debut at the NNTT. This production, along with the performances in April and May, is planned to be a series centred on the theme of "continuing to search for the meaning of life" in a world where isolation, disconnection, and fragmentation are increasingly prevalent.
The final production of the season will be " Working title:11 Stories―One Act Anthology". This performance will feature a collection of various short and mid-length plays from Japan and around the world, including new works. We will deliver the diverse enjoyment and richness of theatre to a wide range of audiences, from children to adults, and from first-time theatergoers to those with a deep knowledge of the art.
Lastly, as this season comes to a close, I will be concluding my eight-year term as the Artistic Director of Drama. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the creative efforts at this theatre, especially the audiences who have attended our performances and shared in the experience with us, as well as those who have supported the theatre's initiatives. I hope you will continue to look forward to the future of the NNTT as it moves forward into a new era. I am truly grateful for these eight years.