Musical drama "The Tale of a Horse"

“Run until the world disappears!”
Tolstoy's masterpiece that asks the meaning of life from the perspective of an intelligent horse
Setagaya Public Theater Artistic Director Akira Shirai will launch a new production

From June to July 2023, the Setagaya Public Theater will present "A Horse's Story" directed by Artistic Director Akira Shirai.This work was scheduled to be performed from June to July 6, but due to the first state of emergency declaration due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the museum was temporarily closed, and the performance was forced to be abandoned. .And this time, after exactly three years, the performance will finally come true.

The story of a horse, which is based on a novel by Russian literary master Tolstoy (original title: Horstmail, published in 1886), contrasts the stupid creatures called humans with intelligent horses that think, and portrays the insatiable desire to possess humans. While focusing on , it is a work that asks the universal theme of "What is the meaning of living in this world?"
Since its premiere in Russia in 1975, this work, which has been highly acclaimed internationally, will be newly directed by Akira Shirai.

Narikawa, Tetsuya Bessho, Ryosei Konishi, Kei Ototsuki and others
Company members for the 2020 performance reunite for 2023

Narikawa plays the role of a horse who was born with a mottled pattern and has an unfortunate fate.
Tetsuya Bessho as the duke who discovers the talent hidden in the horse,
Ryosei Konishi as a male (stall) who can be said to be a symbol of beauty and youth standing in front of a duke and a mottled horse.
And Katsura Ototsuki will play the role of a femme fatale who will change their destinies.
In addition, Hiroshi Omori, Takayasu Komiya, Yomo Harumi, and Tomo Koyanagi are attractive performers full of individuality, and 10 cast members who excel in singing and dancing to aggressively form a herd of horses.A total of 18 performers, along with talented staff, will create a story of Russia from a hundred and several decades ago as our modern story.
With Kazuki Kunihiro as the music director and Un Yamada as the choreographer, a strong staff line-up, in addition to songs with a rich ethnic feeling, incorporates plenty of elements of music and physical expression, giving a sense of human life from the perspective of a horse. Project it.

Akira Shirai

Three years have passed since the planned 2020, and now I am finally able to face this work.The main cast remains the same as three years ago.In this day and age, this is a miracle.I am very much looking forward to working with these charming actors again.

And I think that these three years have brought about a slight change in the way I look at my works.
What makes a person's life fulfilling?What does it mean to own things?Shall I say that this primitive question has come to feel even more urgent? Tolstoy's question from over 100 years ago weighs on our backs like a weight.Yet people cannot escape their desires.

I would like to boldly reconstruct this world-famous theater masterpiece, which was launched from a novel by a Russian theater company 50 years ago, with a new direction.If Tolstoy were to see this modern society today, what kind of thoughts would he draw?I would like to work on creating works from such a perspective.

Narukawa

It's been a long time since I've appeared in a work directed by Akira Shirai.Mr. Shirai naturally attracts people, has the power to bring people together, and is a passionate director.He is full of a kind of sadistic love for the theater, and I am very much looking forward to the creative process of creating a work while being entwined like a whirlpool with that power.

In the play, there is a restraint that does not imitate the form of the horse, but there is also a direction that gives rise to richer ideas. I'm excited that I can find it.

A story that depicts capitalism, its problems, and the sense of ownership.It sounds difficult, but Mr. Shirai has a lot of ideas, so I have a strong feeling that it will be a modern work with a good tempo that is active, dynamic, and full of the joy of living.I want to confront Bessho-san, who has an aura that shows the scars like a medal that has been fought on the stage for many years, without hesitation, and I'm looking forward to co-starring with Konishi-kun and Katsura-chan, who have a sense of being creative classmates.

I would be happy if you could enjoy the gorgeous musical theater with a sense of festival.

Tetsuya Bessho

It's nothing but fun.It's my first time to be directed by Akira Shirai, but I'm really happy to be able to work with Mr. Shirai, who leads the theater world as a director and actor, to create the world of Tolstoy as a musical theater. .

I play the duke who discovers the talent of the horse Horstmail played by Mr. Narikawa.Through the character of the Duke, I would like to convey the lifestyle of people at the end of the 19th century, which is the background of this work, and how it overlaps with people living today.

A new music drama created by a staff and cast who love theater and musical worldviews with passion.I think we can show a completely different Tetsuya Bessho.Please see it with your own eyes.

Ryosei Konishi

Currently, I am reading the script in the preliminary draft stage, and I feel that along with the vitality of the horse, Mr. Shirai's own enthusiasm and deep knowledge of theater are overflowing.First of all, in the rehearsal hall, I would like to do my best and energetically respond to Mr. Shirai's directing, which is my first time.

I play a beautiful horse and a young count.It would be great if I could express the conscious and unconscious desires and instincts that human beings have fundamentally as a wall of Horstmeer.

Mr. Shirai and his company, including Mr. Narikawa, Mr. Bessho, and Mr. Ototsuki, who have had close ties with each other for a long time, will create a wild and instinctive work that will captivate the audience with energy like the flowing muscles of a horse. I would like to aim forPlease look forward to it and come to the theater.

Sound laurel

It's my first time to immerse myself in Mr. Shirai's world, and now I'm both excited and nervous.When I saw the work in which Ms. Shirai appeared, I was drawn in by her acting that manipulated the atmosphere of the place and vividly colored it.This time, I would be happy if I could receive various stimuli from Mr. Shirai as a director.

I play the mare and Macie, the duke's lover.A role that symbolizes beauty and youth as a contrasting existence of Horstmeer... I hope I can discover something new while exploring my own drawer.

It's been a long time since I co-starred with Narikawa-san and Konishi-san, so I want to show them how they've grown.This will be my first time working with Mr. Bessho, and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of chemical reaction will occur.

I will do my best to keep up with the energetic crowd.

Horstmeer (Narikawa) was a naturally fast horse, but because he was born with a speckled pattern that humans disliked, he was raised as a worthless horse.
One day, a dignified Duke (Tetsuya Bessho) appears at the stable.The stable owner recommended a beautiful horse, but the Duke recognized Horstmeer's natural talent and bought him at a low price.Life with the Duke was the only bright and happy days of Horstmeer's life.
However, one day, at the whim of the Duke, Horstmeer will run in a horse race.At the racetrack, the Duke's mistress Macie (Kei Ototsuki) meets a beautiful young officer (Ryosei Konishi) and disappears.The Duke was upset, tied Horstmeer to the sled and whipped him violently...

It has been decided to hold an additional post-talk of the musical drama "The Story of a Horse".
We invited Mr. Ikuo Kameyama, director of the Setagaya Museum of Literature and a scholar of Russian literature, and Mr. Narikawa, who plays the role of Horstmeer, and Akira Shirai, the theater's artistic director and director, will listen to the appeal of Tolstoy's literature.

6/30 (Friday) 14:00 After the performance
Ikuo Kameyama (Russian literary scholar, director of the Setagaya Museum of Literature), Narikawa (actor), Akira Shirai (director, setagaya public theater artistic director)

* Those who have tickets for the event can participate

Post-performance talks will also be held after the performances below.

6/23 (Fri) 18:30
Narikawa, Tetsuya Bessho, Ryosei Konishi, Kei Ototsuki, Akira Shirai (Directed by Setagaya Public Theater Artistic Director)
6/28 (Wed) 14:00
Narikawa, Tetsuya Bessho, Ryosei Konishi, Kei Ototsuki, Akira Shirai (Directed by Setagaya Public Theater Artistic Director)
7/5 (Wed) 18:30
Narikawa, Kazuki Kunihiro (Translator/Music Director), Akira Shirai (Director/Artistic Director of Setagaya Public Theater)
* Those who have tickets for each event can participate

Subtitle tablet rental for the hearing impaired (capacity available, reservation required)
Implementation times: ① 6/25 (Sun) 13:00 ② 6/29 (Thu) 18:30
If you are hard of hearing and would like subtitles, please book a seat with a subtitle tablet.Reservations for seats are available from 4:23 on Sunday, April 10,Inquiry formOr we accept by FAX (03-5432-1559).

• When making a reservation, please include your name, e-mail address, address, phone number, fax number, preferred date and time, number of people, and subtitles for "A Horse's Story".After we receive your application, we will send you a confirmation email or fax within a few days.If you do not receive it, please contact the theater.
• You can apply for up to 1 tickets per performance.

Stage briefing and audio guide rental for the visually impaired (capacity available, reservation required)
Implementation time: 7/8 (Sat) 13:00
If you are visually impaired and would like a stage briefing and audio guide, please reserve a seat with a stage briefing and audio guide.Reservations for seats are available from 4:23 on Sunday, April 10,Inquiry formAlternatively, you can apply at the Setagaya Public Theater (phone 03-5432-1526).

• When making a reservation, please include your name, e-mail address, address, phone number, fax number, number of people (with or without a caregiver), whether or not you will be accompanied by an assistance dog, and if you would like a stage briefing session and audio guide seats for "The Story of a Horse." Please fill in or tell us by phone.After receiving your application, you will receive a confirmation email or a phone call within a few days.If you do not hear from us, please contact the theater.
• You can apply for up to 1 tickets per performance.
• The start time of the stage briefing session before the performance will be announced as soon as it is decided.

Setagaya Public Theater Music Theater "A Horse's Story" Official Twitter
@aru_uma2023sept
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Setagaya Public Theater Official Twitter
@Setagaya Theater
Follow @Setagaya Theater

Hyogo performance
[Date] 2023/7/22 (Sat) 13:00, 7/23 (Sun) 13:00
[Venue] Hyogo Performing Arts Center Hankyu Middle Hall
[Ticket handling/inquiries] Arts Center Ticket Office 0798-68-0255 (10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays/next day if Monday is a holiday)
[Organizer] Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Performing Arts Center

▼ Interview
6/1 (Thursday) Asahi Shimbun evening edition Akira Shirai interview
6/1 (Thursday) Tokyo Shimbun morning edition Akira Shirai Narikawa interview
5/26 (Fri.) BEST STAGE July issue Interview with Ryosei Narikawa Konishi
5/9 (Tue.) FLIX PLUS vol.49 Interview with Akira Shirai, Tetsuya Bessho, Ryosei Konishi, Kei Ototsuki
5/1 (Mon.) eclat June issue Katsura Ototsuki interview
5/1 (Mon.) Stage Pia 5+June issue Interview with Tetsuya Narikawa Bessho
4/27 (Thu.) Stage Square vol.62 Narikawa Ryosei Konishi Interview with Akira Shirai
4/11 (Tue.) Weekly Asahi April 4st enlarged issue Narikawa interview

Resale of tickets for profit is strictly prohibited under any circumstances.
If resold tickets are confirmed, we will refuse admission, and if it is found after admission, we will ask you to leave.
You may be asked to confirm your identity when entering the Setagaya Public Theater/Theater Tram.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation so that everyone can purchase tickets fairly.

【About the official ticket resale “Tiketore”】
For the music drama "A Horse's Story", if the purchaser himself/herself is unable to attend, we will deal with the official ticket trade resale "Ticketre".
If you would like to purchase a ticket,https://tiketore.com/　Please check from.