The program and cast for the Kyoto Minamiza Theater's December "Kichirei Kaomise Performance" was announced on September 3, 2024. The opening day is December 1 and the final performance is December 22. Living National Treasures Kataoka Nizaemon and Nakamura Baigyoku will meet in "Genroku Chushingura: Sengoku Yashiki," and Nakamura Manju, who took on the stage name this summer, will also perform. There will also be a new work based on the opera "Madame Butterfly."
Other actors appearing from the Kansai region include Nakamura Ganjiro, Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Kotaro, Kataoka Ainosuke, and Nakamura Ichitaro. Nakamura Kinnosuke and Ichikawa Chusha will perform from Tokyo.
The matinee performance of "Madame Butterfly" is a new work based on Puccini's opera. The Kaomise performance will be the premiere, and Ichitaro, Kinnosuke, and Ganjiro will appear.
Following the Okawabata scene from "Sannin Kichisa" starring Kotaro, Nakamura Hayato and Kinnosuke, Ainosuke will take turns playing five roles from Otsu-e paintings, including the Fujimusume, in the dance "Otsu-e Dojoji." In "Grandpa and Grandma" by Mori Ogai, Nakaguruma and Senjaku show the love between a husband and wife who have been separated for many years.
The evening performance will open with "Sengoku Mansion." Nizaemon as Oishi Kuranosuke and Baigyoku as Sengoku Hoki no Kami reveal the details of the raid and the feelings of the loyal samurai through their dialogue.
The dance "Kasane," depicting the love and drama of men and women, will be performed by Manju and Ainosuke for the first time in Kyoto since their name succession. "Gosho Goroza" will be supervised by Nizaemon, and will feature the younger generation, including Hayato and Bando Minosuke. The festival will conclude with Ganjiro and others performing the light-hearted dance "Echigo Lion." The daytime performance is scheduled to finish at around 3:15 pm, and the evening performance is scheduled to finish at around 8:40 pm.
There are no performances on December 10th and 16th. Tickets will go on sale on November 9th. First prizes range from 25,000 yen to 6,000 yen for fourth prize. Ticket phone for Shochiku: 0570 (000) 489.
