Lounge
May 15, 2018
Kamukamu Minikina Production "Hinges" | THEATER
THEATER | Like a Butterfly, My Baby
Kamukamu Minikina Production No. 66
Kamukamu Minikina's 66th production, "Hinges," will be staged in Tokyo and Osaka. This unique play draws inspiration from folklore of the Hokuriku region.
Text by WASEDA Kosaku (OPENERS)
A New Play Based on Hokuriku Folklore
Since its founding in 1990, the theater troupe Kamukamu Minikina has garnered acclaim for its distinctive productions, primarily under the direction of Takeshi Matsumura. Their 66th work, "Hinges," uniquely portrays folklore from the Hokuriku region.
The climate was being manipulated by someone. The sea breeze blowing across the frozen northern land in midwinter was piercingly cold, and many people closed their mouths like clams.
"I want to become a clam." The people who turned into clams died one after another, and their piles of corpses formed layers upon layers, becoming shell mounds. These were discovered in later generations and even made it into social studies textbooks, allowing her to learn.
She believed she could only save people by deceiving them. She boiled down many large clams and, with the gas from their exhalations, showed everyone a fleeting illusion. Eventually, their shells opened, transforming into butterflies that fluttered around her.
The subtle movements of these butterflies circled around, altering the mechanism. Spring arrived on the midwinter land.
Meanwhile, she had a promise with her mentor. The mentor had said, "If the sky is clear on this day, 28 years from now, we shall meet again." She wanted to know the weather for that day, 28 years in the future, in advance.
Would that day, 28 years later, indeed be clear...?
Takeshi Matsumura is once again in charge of writing and directing for this production. Alongside Kamukamu Minikina's star actor, Masato Yashima, the cast includes Kenichi Kobayashi, making his second appearance, and first-time performers Koichiro Tomioka, Kiyomi Tanikawa, and Moeno Nito, among other talented actors.
Kamukamu Minikina's plays, woven from bold and unique stagecraft and a cast of distinctive actors, are scheduled to be performed in two cities, Tokyo and Osaka. This is a production that invites you to experience it with all your senses.
Hinges
Written, Directed, and Starring: Takeshi Matsumura
Starring: Masato Yashima, Shinichi Yoshida, Takahiro Kameoka, Moeno Nito, Koichiro Tomioka, Kenichi Kobayashi, Kiyomi Tanikawa, and others
Tokyo Performances
Performance Dates: May 17 (Thu) - May 27 (Sun), 2018
Ticket Prices: [Standard] ¥5,000 | [Discounted] ¥4,500 | [Under 25 Discount] ¥3,900 (Available through troupe reservations only)
Venue: Za-Koenji 1
2-1-2 Koenjikita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Osaka Performances
Performance Dates: June 2 (Sat) - June 3 (Sun), 2018
Ticket Prices: [Standard] ¥5,000 | [Discounted] ¥4,500 | [Under 25 Discount] ¥3,900 (Available through troupe reservations only)
Venue: Kintetsu Art Museum
1-4-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka