A Stellar Cast Befitting a Grand Finale

Launched in 2008, the 'Aoyama Round Theater Council' project collaborates with emerging playwrights to produce new 'round theater' (round theater x drama) experiences. 'Akaoni' is the final production, presented as the theater closes its doors in March 2015.

First staged in 1996, this play garnered attention for its sharp portrayal of the universal theme of racial discrimination, delivered with clever wordplay and a brisk tempo. It was later performed in three versions in 2004: Thai, London, and Japanese. The Thai and London versions, created after local workshops, saw Hideki Noda himself take on the role of the Red Demon, drawing renewed focus.

Cast as 'That Woman' isHaru Kuroki, who won the Best Actress Award (Silver Bear) at this year's Berlin Film Festival. Furthermore, the supporting cast, befitting a magnificent conclusion, includes Toki Emoto as Tonbi, Reo Tamaki as Suigin, and Shuji Onodera as Akaoni.

Haru Kuroki as 'That Woman'

Toki Emoto as Tonbi

Reo Tamaki as Suigin

Shuji Onodera as Akaoni

The story begins when a foreigner, with a different skin color and language, washes ashore on the village's sandy beach. The villagers call him the Red Demon and decide to execute him. However, 'That Woman,' ostracized by the village, gradually forms a bond with the Red Demon and, along with her simple-minded brother Tonbi and the liar Suigin, attempts to rescue him.

Norihito Nakayashiki, directing this production, felt the necessity of presenting 'Akaoni' to contemporary Japanese society, which has experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. He expressed his ambition: 'I want to challenge the possibilities of theater through the dynamism generated from the actors' bodies, and help modern audiences regain their rich imagination.'

This production, which constructs its drama solely through the actors' bodies and the 'words' they utter, is sure to stimulate the audience's imagination to no end.

Aoyama Round Theater Council Final Production: 'Akaoni' (Red Demon)
Dates | Wednesday, June 4th – Sunday, June 15th *15 performances in total
Script | Hideki Noda
Direction | Norihito Nakayashiki
Cast | Haru Kuroki, Toki Emoto, Reo Tamaki, Shuji Onodera
Venue | Aoyama Round Theater
5-53-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3797-5678
http://www.aoyama.org/
Ticket Sales Start | Saturday, May 10th

Inquiries
Goch Brothers (Weekdays 10:00–18:00)
Tel. 03-6809-7125
http://akaoni2014.com/