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Theater/Dance

Kanagawa Next Vol.1 A theater festival born in hopes of developing performing arts in Kanagawa Prefecture.

かながわネクストVol.1 神奈川県における舞台芸術の発展を期待して生まれた演劇の祭典

"Kanagawa Next" was started as an initiative to support young and mid-career artists and companies based in Kanagawa, with the hope that the performing arts in Kanagawa Prefecture will continue to grow prosperously into the future.

For the first time, we have selected two groups from among the many groups that have performed in the past to hold the ``Kanagawa Next Performance.''

The works chosen for Vol. 1 were ``theater 045 syndicate'', which performs ``Farewell, Mr. Charlie'', which is set in a deserted movie theater along the Ooka River in the port city of Yokohama, and Michinoku Confectionery's son, who died after his death. At the memorial service on the 49th, two organizations that produced the play ``Spiral Staircase'' performed the play ``Lighting a Fire in the Silence,'' in which one man's life is revealed through the stories of his family and friends.

So this time, we spoke to Mr. Nakayama and Mr. Midori, who lead this group, about their aspirations for being selected as "Kanagawa Next" and the highlights of the performance.

Making "Kanagawa Next" a breakthrough for the development and dissemination of Yokohama's culture and art

theater 045 syndicate organizer: Tomofumi Nakayama
theater 045 syndicate (Theater Zeroyongo Syndicate)
A theater unit led by Tomofumi Nakayama and actors Katsuho Imai and Miyabi Masaka. He creates works based on the concept of "transmission from Yokohama," and often collaborates with organizations active in Kanagawa. He strives to promote Kanagawa's culture and art by creating opportunities for interaction between organizations active in the prefecture. . His work is characterized by a hard-boiled yet lighthearted and humorous style.

Nakayama: We are a theater company based in Yokohama. I'm honestly happy that the first project for "Kanagawa Next" received praise for both my ability and content. Mr. Atsuhiro Hatano, who was in charge of the script, is also a friend of mine who runs a theater company called Gekidan 820 Seisakusho, so I'm happy to be able to work with him this time.

In this performance, there will be about three graduates of Magcal Performing Arts Academy. He says it is also of great significance that graduates who were unable to perform due to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to do so at Kanagawa Next.

Mr. Nakayama: I think it's meaningful for people from Kanagawa to perform in their hometown. Nowadays, there are an increasing number of groups in their 20s and 30s working hard in Yokohama, so I hope that the two groups that were selected as the first group will be able to make a breakthrough and continue to lead Yokohama's art scene.

Currently, I am mainly active in Tokyo and Yokohama, but I am trying to bring back the new techniques and knowledge I gained in Tokyo and put them to use in Yokohama. I always carry out activities with a desire to give back to the local community.

I hope that by having works by theater companies active in Yokohama (Kanagawa) performed at Kanagawa Next, we can create a foundation for culture and art in Kanagawa, and the works presented in this way will It would be great if we could improve each other so that it can be used nationwide.


From the 3rd theater performance “Yokohama Yataro ~Bokyou Hen~”

"You can change the story of your life." The gradation of reality and dreams woven by time and human patterns

The work nominated this time is a re-enactment of a performance performed three years ago. He said he was deeply moved by the premiere, which took place at a time when the era name was changing from Heisei to Reiwa and the world situation was changing drastically due to the coronavirus.

-What are the highlights of the stage performance?


theater 045 syndicate: “Farewell, Mr. Charlie” rehearsal scene

This work is a story set in an old movie theater in downtown Yokohama. Based on a single movie shown at a movie theater along the Ooka River in Isezaki Town, front and back, dreams and reality intertwine in a large wave. Amidst this chaos, various human patterns unfold.

One of the highlights is how reality and dreams intersect in the depiction of this side and the other side of the screen. It conveys the message that ``you can change the story of your life.''
I went to the theater in Yokohama, a city where the past and the future constantly coexist, and I'm sure the scenery I saw when I went down Momijizaka on the way back was different from before I went to the theater. We hope you will enjoy the atmosphere and smells that Yokohama has to offer, whether you go straight to Chinatown or take a walk around Noge.

A story about a family that feels life through death and is happy to be alive.


Theater producer “Spiral Staircase” Director: Shinichiro Midori

Theater production “Spiral Staircase”
Formed in 2006 to perform theater performances based in Odawara. They hold performances twice a year, in Odawara in the fall and in Yokohama in the spring. He continues to create plays that are sweet, heartbreaking, and make you laugh and cry through the use of land, time, satire, etc.

Midori-san: We are a theater company based in Odawara that is now in its 16th year with activities in Yokohama and Odawara. We are very honored to have our achievements evaluated and selected in Vol.1 of Kanagawa Next. I would like to do my best so that this attempt continues in Vol.2 and Vol.3.

From the 29th performance “Dreaming on a rotating chair”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many theater companies have been forced to postpone or cancel their performances, and Midori says that even the theater production ``Spiral Staircase'' has had its performances postponed three times. They will not let their guard down this time either, but they are taking precautions to prevent infection and are working hard to rehearse to make the performance a success.

-What are the highlights of the stage performance?

Theater production “Spiral Staircase”: “Lighting a fire in silence” rehearsal scene

Midori-san: The story begins when Tohoku Tomoaki of Michinoku Confectionery, which sells the popular "Umineko Sable" online, dies at a young age. At the memorial service on the 49th, friends and family members speak about the hero while he was alive, as if to remember the deceased.

The character of the main character emerges through episodes revealed through conversations with family and friends, and while the story is full of laughs and fun, there are also plenty of interesting moments in the middle. In a good way, I think you'll enjoy the feeling of being betrayed from the plot you imagine based on the leaflet.

After watching the show, Midori recommends buying a sable as a souvenir, based on the story of ``Umineko Sable'' that appears in the play, and enjoying sightseeing in the area.

I think both performances by these two groups are entertaining and memorable, so I recommend both. This time in particular, the event will be held twice, with Golden Week in between, so why not go to both performances and spend your holiday enjoying Yokohama's culture and art?

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