Ketto! Takadanobaba (決闘! 高田馬場)
Ketto! Takadanobaba (Duel! Takadanobaba) is a Japanese kabuki play written and directed by Koki MITANI. It was premiered at PARCO Theatre in March 2006.
Summary
"Duel! Takadanobaba" is an original kabuki play based on 'Duel at Takadanobaba' of Yasube NAKAYAMA (later Taketsune HORIBE). It is the first kabuki play that Koki MITANI ever wrote. His direction was unique, incorporating unusual sound for kabuki and comical elements characteristic of his works. Somegoro, Kamejiro and Kantaro, who each played a semi-leading role, performed double roles by making a quick change.
Story
The play is set during the peaceful time of Japan, in 1694. Although being skilled in swordplay and loved by his neighbors, Yasube NAKAYAMA, better known as 'Fighting Yasube,' neither serves his master nor work. He is leading a degenerate life, getting drunk by the money he earned by mediating a quarrel. He self-deprecatingly ignores advice from his childhood friend, Ukyo ONODERA. One day, Rokurozaemon SUGANO, his uncle, falls into the snares of Murakami and Nakatsugawa and is forced to fight a duel at Takadanobaba, where he was outnumbered. Knowing this, Yasube and his friends run!, run! and run! to Takadanobaba to help him.
Cast
Yasube HORIBE, Yuhan NAKATSUGAWA: Somegoro ICHIKAWA (VII)
Ukyo ONODERA, Hori HORIBE, Shoemon MURAKAMI: Kamejiro ICHIKAWA (II)
Matahachi, Yahei HORIBE: Kantaro NAKAMURA (II)
Nirazo: Komazo ICHIKAWA
Omon: Sonosuke SAWAMURA
Dr. Koan: Kitsutaro BANDO
Rokurozaemon SUGANO: Kingo MATSUMOTO
Oume: Manjiro ICHIMURA
Staff
Playwright and theatre direction: Koki MITANI
Assistant playwright: Toyoshige IMAI
Stage design: Yukio HORIO
Lighting: Motoi HATTORI
Stage direction: Tetsuo MATSUZAKA
Planning: PARCO Co., Ltd.
Production: Shochiku