'Courier of Love'

Based on the play by Monzaemon Chikamatsu
Adapted/Translated by Ako Dachs
​Directed by Ron Nakahara and Ako
Music by Tsugahana Tsuruzawa

WORKSHOP Program

Monzaemon Chikamatsu (1653-1725) is often called the Shakespeare of Japan. His work - over 130 plays for the Bunraku puppet theater and the live Kabuki stage - form the core of the Japanese stage tradition even today.  Ako has translated and adapted three of Chikamatsu’s moving double-suicide plays, ‘Courier of Hell’ ‘Double-Suicide at Sonezaki’ and ‘Love Suicides at Amijima’ into one play, ‘Courier of Love’. The entire play is accompanied by live music played by the highly respected Gidayu-Shamisen player Ms. Tsugahana Tsuruzawa from Japan, as is the tradition in Bunraku and Kabuki. Co-directed by Ako and Ron Nakahara.
「恋飛脚」は近松門左衛門の「冥土の飛脚」を基に他の近松の心中物語のプロットを絡め、宝塚出身でニューヨーク在住の俳優/演出家のAkoが脚色し翻訳した作品。米国のアジア人中心のキャストで、演出はAkoと歌舞伎に憧憬の深いRob Melrose 氏 (ワークショップはRon Nakahara 氏)との共同演出。音楽は女流義太夫三味線の鶴澤津賀花を日本より迎かえ、英語の俳優と義太夫三味線とのコラボレーション。

Modern Noh Plays
by Yukio Mishima

Noh is one of Japan’s oldest stage traditions, dating back to the 14th century, but contemporary Japanese and even western authors and poets have revisited the form time and time again. 
We performed as a part of MUSE Festival, 'Hanjo' and 'Aoi no Ue' from 'Modern Noh Plays' by Yuio Mishima, one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th Century, Fall of 2019. in Japanese and in English subtitles.

 See the  PROGRAM
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「近代能楽集」
作　三島由紀夫、　演出　Ako Dachs
２０１９年１１月にMUSE Festival で、三島由紀夫の「近代能楽集」の’葵上’と’班女’を日本語と英語字幕付きで​上演した。
CHIISAKOBE
by Shugoro Yamamoto
Picture

 Shugoro Yamamoto is a Japanese novelist and short-story writer
active during the Shōwa period of Japan.
  • Works include: Lives of Great Japanese Women (日本婦道記, 1942–1945),
  • The Fir Trees Remain (樅ノ木は残った, 1954–1958), 
  • The Tales Of Dr. Redbeard (赤ひげ診療譚, 1958), 
  • The Tale Of Blue Beka Boat (青べか物語, 1960), 
  • A City Without Seasons (季節のない街, 1962), 
  • Sabu (さぶ, 1963).
  • We're planning to do 'CHIISAKOBE' on our SALON SERIES during 2021 season.

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「ちいさこべ」
作　​山本周五郎
JAA（Japanese American Association) の敬老会で朗読をした
山本周五郎の小説「ちいさこべ」をサロン・シリーズでの上演を予定している。