Hamlet Productions

Outline

After Staging Countless Works by Shakespeare,
Mansai Nomura Passes the Torch to the Next Generation

In March 2023, Setagaya Public Theatre (SePT) presents a production of Hamlet directed by and starring Mansai Nomura.

After leading SePT in the role of Artistic Director since 2002, in February 2022 Mansai Nomura gave the final performance of his tenure with SePT’s play-reading program: Excerpts from “Hamlet”, a production that sent a message to the next generation of theatre practitioners. This performance was an experimental fusion of classical and modern theatre techniques that made full use of Mansai’s unique abilities as a performer of the traditional Japanese comic theater form known as kyogen. This staged reading of Hamlet was structured around an exploration of the identity of the title character, a role that Nomura has played multiple times. The end result was a one-of-a-kind performance of Hamlet that only Nomura could have created, and it was met with widespread acclaim.

Now, in March 2023, Mansai Nomura will go on to direct a new production of Hamlet, in which he will play both the ghost of Hamlet’s father and also Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, who assassinated Hamlet’s father and married Hamlet’s mother. As Mansai Nomura plays the two conflicting roles of both Hamlet’s father and his father’s enemy, he will come face to face onstage with his own son and kyogen disciple, Yuki Nomura, who is playing the role of Hamlet.

The staged reading of Hamlet in February 2022 was Yuki Nomura’s first appearance in a theatrical production that was not a work of kyogen. Yuki Nomura earned acclaim for his performance, which emphasized Hamlet’s sense of isolation by making full use of both line delivery techniques forged over years of kyogen training since childhood and also his commanding stage presence.

Yuki Nomura’s father Mansai Nomura once made his own debut performance in a translated work of theatre in the role of Hamlet, and now, strangely enough, Mansai is passing the torch to his son Yuki in that very same role.

Featuring Fresh Faces, Including Yuki Nomura, Keito Okamoto, and Sawako Fujima
Also: Actors Mayumi Wakamura, Takehiro Murata, and Kunitaro Kawarasaki Return After Appearing in Director Nomura’s Requiem on the Great Meridian

For this performance, Mansai Nomura has assembled a team that includes both veteran production staff and cast members that he has collaborated with previously, in addition to some of today’s most in-demand upcoming young actors.

Yuki Nomura, Keito Okamoto and Sawako Fujima are three young actors following in their parents’ footsteps as they enter the world of the performing arts.

Keito Okamoto plays the dual roles of Rosencrantz the courtier and Laertes, Ophelia’s older brother who comes into conflict with Hamlet. Okamoto studied at America’s oldest acting school and has recently appeared in a number of high-profile theatrical productions, receiving widespread acclaim for his vibrant performances. Okamoto’s skillful portrayal of these dual roles is sure to delight audiences.

Sawako Fujima plays Ophelia, who harbors feelings for Hamlet. Sawako Fujima is active in multiple performing arts fields, including stage, screen, and traditional dance. She also goes by the name Murasaki Fujima III in her position as the head of the Murasaki sect of Fujima style traditional Japanese dance, and she is also a member of the theatre company Asagaya Spiders. Don’t miss your chance to see how Fujima draws on her wide-ranging talent to rise to the challenge of portraying Ophelia.

Yasuyuki Unezawa plays Horatio, Hamlet’s friend and confidant. Despite being a young actor, he has established a reputation at the Bungakuza theatre company for reliably delivering rock-solid performances. Unezawa’s Horatio is sure to have a strong rapport with Yuki Nomura’s Hamlet.

In addition to those rising stars, this cast also features an extravagant and captivating group of talented veteran actors. These cast members include Mayumi Wakamura, Takehiro Murata, and Kunitaro Kawarasaki, who previously worked with director Mansai Nomura to stage Requiem on the Great Meridian (2017, 2021).

Mayumi Wakamura returns to play the role of the elegant Queen Gertrude after playing the same part in director Mansai Nomura’s earlier staged reading performance. She has also previously acted across from Mansai Nomura in Requiem on the Great Meridian, in which he played Taira no Tomomori and she played his beloved Lady Kagemi. She is sure to deliver a multilayered and enthralling performance that captures the complexity of Hamlet and Gertrude’s mother-son relationship.

Takehiro Murata plays Polonius, the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Murata is sure to deliver a larger-than-life performance brimming with compassion, in a way that only he can. This performance also features Kunitaro Kawarasaki in the roles of gravedigger and the leader of the travelling players. Kawarasaki is a seasoned actor who is sure to create a multifaceted performance for audiences to savor. Although both Murata and Kawarasaki have long careers in the performing arts, this will be their first time appearing in a production of Shakespeare, creating yet another reason that no one should miss this performance.

Don’t miss your chance to see this production of Hamlet, the culmination of Mansai Nomura’s years of experience staging Shakespeare!

Summary

Prince Hamlet is told by the ghost of his father, the former king, that he was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. After this, Hamlet vows revenge and feigns madness as part of his plan to achieve it. Hamlet’s plan throws the lives of those around him into chaos, including his mother Queen Gertrude and Ophelia, who harbors feelings for Hamlet.

Cast & Creative

Original play: William Shakespeare
Translaton: Shoichiro Kawai
Direction: Mansai Nomura
Cast:Yuki Nomura／Keito Okamoto／Sawako Fujima
Yasuyuki Unezawa　Kainosuke Matsuura　Tomoki Morinaga　Haruo Tsukizaki
Ryosuke Jimbo　Shinsuke Urano　Yusuke Tooyama
Takehiro Murata／Kunitaro Kawarasaki／Mayumi Wakamura／Mansai Nomura　

Videos

• Mansai Nomura's comment vol.1
• Mansai Nomura's comment vol.2
• Yuki Nomura's comment
• Keito Okamoto's comment
• Sawako Fujima's comment
• Yasuyuki Unezawa's comment
• Takehiro Murata's comment
• Kunitaro Kawarasaki's comment
• Mayumi Wakamura's comment

Audience Support

Childcare Service

A childcare service is normally available for performances for which advance tickets are sold.
However, as capacity is limited, use of childcare service is by reservation only.

You may reserve childcare services up to noon of the day 3 days before the desired reservation time, but when the number of children registered reaches capacity, applications will closed.
So please make your reservation well in advance.
Also, please consult with the theatre regarding children with special needs.

Wheelchair Spaces

Both Setagaya Public Theatre and Theatre Tram are equipped with wheelchair spaces to allow visitors to watch performances from their wheelchairs. However, as capacity is limited, use of wheelchair spaces is by reservation only. So please make your reservation well in advance.

Guide dog-accompanied seating for the visually impaired

Guide dogs are allowed in the theatre.
Please consult with the theatre in advance as large and small seating spaces are available.

Written communication devices

Written communication devices are available in theatre lobby and ticket centre.

Voice Support for the Hearing Impaired

Earphones are available at the theatre lobby for lending out free of charge to hearing impaired audience members.
To borrow an earphone, after purchasing your ticket, please apply to the theatre no later than three days before the performance in question.

Information pamphlet in braille and text for the visually impaired

A Braille pamphlet (about 10 pages) will be available for loan at the theatre lobby on the day of your visit.
Includes an overview of the work, information on the theatre lobby,and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
You can also email us a similar text in advance.

Please check here for audience support and barrier-free services provided by our theater.