Musical

About the 2008 Garasu no Kamen Musical


"Garasu no Kamen" - 2008 Musical

July 15th 2008:
Press conference

August 8th-24th 2008:
in Saitama at Sai-no-Kuni Saitama Geijutsu Gekijo (Sai-no-Kuni Saitama Arts Theatre).

August 29th, 30th, 31st 2008: in Osaka at Brava Theatre.

September 5th, 6th and 7th 2008: at Kitakyushu Arts Theatre.

Cast
Maya Kitajima Miho Oowada
Ayumi Himekawa Kae Okumura (first stage)
Masumi Hayami Eiji Okuda
Utako Himekawa Hitomi Tsukikage
Chigusa Tsukikage Mari Natsuki
Yuu Sakurakouji Takuji Kawakubo
Haru Kitajima Ryouko Tateishi
Hajime Onodera Yasuyoshi Hara
Rei Aoki Yuuki Tsukikawa (actor!)
Keiko Ninomiya Marina Kuroki
Genzou Tadashi Ogawa
Crew
Director: Yukio Ninagawa
Script:Gou Aoki
Composer:Tamiya Terashima(OVA's music)
Music:Chikako Ikegami
Choreographer:Uran Hirosaki
Stage Setting Artist:Tsukasa Nakagoshi
Stage Lighting:Ikuo Murofishi
Dresser:Noriko Muyamoto
Acoustics:Masahiro Inoue
Hairdresser:Yuuko Satou
Assistant Directors:Sachiko Ishimaru, Takaaki Inoue
Stage Supervision:Eisuke Shiraishi
Songs instruction:Tadamichi Izumi

Garasu no Kamen Musical: Cast

My friend Shion's opinion on the musical (kindly translated by Nanako)

The target of this musical is children with parents and people not used to go to the theatre. So this piece a was a big challenge for Ninagawa, the stage director. He scattered many surprises through the play: several rainshowers using 2 tons of water, the same set scenes at the beginning and the end as in the original comic, using the auditorium as a part of stage (like in "Forgotten Wilderness"), Kurenai Tennyo flying over the spectators.

The two main actresses, with little experience in stage playing, are supported by a powerful, enegetic companay of 45 young actors and veteran supporting actors. The changes of sets is as swift as in Takarazuka. About three hours is not long for Ninagawa, but the development feels rather rushing.

The script, packed with up to the chapter "Spring Tempest," deserves admiration, much owing to cooperation with Suzue Miuchi.

However it is doubtful whether the audience who didn't read the comic could enjoy it as it is intended. If you did, and you don't usually go to the theatre, you'll probably be happy with this play.

The casting of Hitomi Tsukikage as Utako in the musical part is a big success, but the main cast have problem with singing. (Asahi Shinbun, one of the national daily papers, also pointed this out in its review.)

I was hoping to see Maya Kitajima of "Glass Mask" but it was Miho Ohwada that I found on the stage. The acting of the two heroines leaves much to be desired. So does that of "Masumi Hayami". Hayami has a lot of entuhsuastic fans at home and abroad, and I heartily feel that playing this part is a tough challenge.

In general, scattered surprises, the power of ensamble, and up-tempo flow of the story will enchant the audience, but if you love plays and go to the theatre often, I'd recommend you not to expect too much.

Image Gallery

More info:

Theatrix

Saitama Art Foundation

Miho Oowada and Kae Okumura


Credits:

Many very special thanks to SHION, KATE, MASASUMI, ECCHAN, NANAKO and GO.

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