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A thrilling encounter between the leading director of the new generation,

Toshiki Okada, and Kobo Abe's play"Tomodachi."
Toshiki Okada’s talent has been praised not only in the field of theatre that awarded him the Kishida Drama Award in 2005 but also in other fields as seen in the fact that he was given the Kenzaburo Ooe Award in April 2008. Leading his company "Chelfitsch" as the playwright/director, he has been creating unprecedented theatrical expressions with words that reflect the contemporary reality of young people’s feelings and unique physical movements that look as if amplifying daily gestures.

This production is a new trial in which Toshiki Okada, who is regarded as the leading director of the new generation, interprets Kobo Abe's most acknowledged play"Tomodachi" with the original cast, independently from his own company. "Tomodachi" in the 21st century by the spirited director Toshiki Okada, who has been drawing both national and international attentions, is one of the productions in 2008 that cannot be missed.

Peculiar human relations played by unique performers.

Kobo Abe's "Tomodachi" was premiered in 1967 and was given Junichiro Tanizaki Award.
"A strange family of nine suddenly intrudes into an ordinary man's room. What is the true motive of the family that keeps preaching neighborly love with smiles of goodwill on their faces? The story, with dark humor, reveals the relationship with the other and exposes the peculiarity of human relations in the present age." This story will be played by the performers with unique presence from diverse backgrounds: Juichi Kobayashi, the former principal of Bejard Ballet, Akaji Maro, the master of butoh who leads Dairakudakan, Takeshi Wakamatsu, who was the leading actor of Tenjosajiki, Hana Kino, one of the establishing members of the legendary theatre company Aoi Tori, Tomohiko Imai, a talented actor who has been active in the field of Shingeki, and others.

In autumn 2008, we confidently present the production that only Setagaya Public Theatre can realize, with performers who have powerful presence and Toshiki Okada’s cutting-edge direction through original interpretation of the play.

[ Written by ] 　Kobo Abe
[ Directed by ]　Toshiki Okada

[ Performed by ] 　Juichi Kobayashi / Akaji Maro / Takeshi Wakamatsu / Hana Kino / Tomohiko Imai /
Tamaki Kenmotsu / Kei Kato / Koromo Tomosato / Tokio Emoto / Kiriko Kure /
Rin Shiota / Yoji Izumi / Eriko Aso / Naohiro Ariyama

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