The 12th play of métro "The Girl's Mask" will be coming soon! Get a ticket in advance! It is "a must" to go and experience the world of Juro Kara, who has been at the forefront of the underground theater movement in Japan.
With this work, Kara won "The Kishida Prize for Drama" in 1970, a prestigious prize which recognizes contemporary playwrights. The story delves into the deep distress of legendary Takarasienne, Kasugano Yachiyo's life long struggle for eternal youth, unspoiled beauty and body.
Many actresses have so far played the leading role, but this is the very first time that a real ex-Takarasienne Sarara Tsukifune takes on the challenge. Don’t miss such a theatrical experience.
各回のトークには天願大介と月船さららも参加致します。
Sarara Tsukifune has been working hard so that international visitors who love theater may enjoy métro's play despite a language barrier.
Tsukifune has developed an audio guide system to utilize it for her show, given in Japanese. No subtitles or simultaneous translation services on stage. Instead, the English audio guide is available for free to aid understanding without interrupting the visual performance.
Feel free to email: booking@sarara.asia for reservations.
Get both tickets and a free English audio guide. Let us know your name, your phone number, the date you wish to watch the play, and the number of tickets you need.
"métro" is a performing arts company, launched by two actors in 2008; Sarara Tsukifune (ex-Takarazuka performer) / Yumiko Deguchi (retired).
"métro" has one and only artist, and a unique production/performance style for its plays, which has no regular or fixed performers and crew.
Instead, it gathers talented guest performers and fresh expert crew members every time "métro" has a new play.
Daisuke Tengan is another key figure in "métro," known as a cinematic genius. Producing and directing all of métro’s works from scratch, he continues to interpret and present works with his unique approach to literary masterpieces and black-humored works of satire.
唐⼗郎とはいろいろな縁がある。もちろん作品は⾒てきたし、直接だと私の商業映画デビュー作に出演してもらい、今村組「カンゾー先⽣」では⼀夏、共に過ごした。周辺の⼈たちとの交流も続き、紅テント出⾝の俳優さんたちとは数多くの仕事をしてきた。
――私の考えでは、アングラとは唐⼗郎のことだ。アングラを発明したのは唐⼗郎で、兄貴分に寺⼭修司がいて(寺⼭さんはアングラではない)、この⼆⼈がアングラ重⼒の真ん中に⽴ち、後に続くすべてに強い影響を与えた。
では、そのアングラの中⼼は何かというと、それは⾔葉だ。鶏か卵かという問題はあるものの、特権的⾁体を持つ俳優たちを継続してあのように動かすことができたのは、唐さんの⾔葉に強⼤な魔⼒があったからだと思う。
その唐⼗郎の戯曲を、metro で演出できることは、⼤変嬉しい。私も⽉船も、辿り着くべくして辿り着いた、とでも⾔うべきか。
外部に向けて書かれたこともあって、「少⼥仮⾯」はコンパクトで枝葉が少なく、構造がくっきりして⾒える。しかし、そう簡単に分解できるものではない。唐の⾔葉は蒸溜⽔ではなく、ミネラル豊富な天然⽔だ。正体のわからぬものも溶け込んでいる。ある者には仙界の滋味になり、ある者には魔界の毒となる。書かれていることをそのまま信じてはいけないし、背後に隠された何かを意識し過ぎても駄⽬なのだ。
唐⼗郎が掘った通路に⽔が注がれ、⽔路となる。幾筋もの⽔路は複雑に繋がって運河となり、やがて⼤海に⾄る。今回はその運河を遡っていく冒険の旅になるだろう。「闇の奥」のように。
元宝塚男役の⽉船は、肩にオウムを乗せて舳先に⽴っている。魔王若松武史画伯の⽕⼭の旗が⾵になびく。私はいつものように、ただ⼼を研ぎ澄ませ、⾒えないものを⾒つめ、舵を取るだけだ。悪くない。
The Takarazuka (Girls) Revue has a long history dated back to 1914 as a Japanese all-female performing arts company based in Western Japan. (Takarazuka is a city in Hyogo prefecture.)
The Takarazuka Revue is, in a way, opposite to the modern all-male Kabuki, a classical Japanese dance-drama. Women play all the parts no matter what type of play, show, or musical it would be. With its motto of "Modesty, fairness, and grace," only young girls aged from 15-18 can be selected as performer-to-be to learn whatever required to become a versatile actor, who can sing, dance and play masterfully on stage. They spend two years at a particular music school attached to the company. After graduation, most students belong to either of the five troupes named: Flower, Moon, Snow, Star, and Cosmos.
According to various factors, each performer plays either of the male or female roles or both. To be young, beautiful, and active is almost essential to keep the audience captivated. Currently, the Takarazuka performs for some 2.5 million people a year, and the majority of its fans are women of all ages from all over Japan and from overseas as well.
During their 100+year history, very few performers stayed long as the star all the way until retirement. Legendary star Kasugano Yachiyo devoted herself as a Takarasienne throughout her life. She lived up to 96, winning various awards for her performing talents, and spending over 80 years at the company.