Asia's First "Next-Generation" Theater is Born: "IHI Stage Around Tokyo" – Where the Audience Seats Rotate Surrounded by a 360-Degree Stage

Next spring, an innovative entertainment facility will open in Toyosu, Tokyo: the new theater "IHI Stage Around Tokyo." Its defining feature is a system vastly different from conventional stage theaters. The audience seats are mounted on a giant circular platform. As this platform rotates, the story unfolds on a 360-degree stage surrounding the audience. This system exists only once in the world, and this marks its first introduction in Asia.

 

TBS Television secured exclusive usage rights for this new system in Japan, leading to the construction of the theater under their leadership. Starting March 30 next year, the inaugural performance will be "The Seven People of the Skull Castle" by the theater troupe ☆Shinkansen.

We spoke with Keiji Matsumura, General Manager of the Business Division at TBS Television's Business Bureau and the theater's manager, about his expectations for the venue and its future prospects.

Leading a New Boom in Japan's Thriving Live Entertainment Scene

 

─ Amid significant growth in online and digital media, why did you choose to create such a stage in the real-world domain?

Matsumura: While media diversifies, over 50 million people annually attend live entertainment like concerts, stage shows, and sports. This trend is growing, yet we faced a persistent shortage of venues due to concert halls closing. This prompted us to create a theater unlike any seen before, including for cultural outreach overseas.

When I experienced a similar stage format in the Netherlands, I had an extraordinary, immersive experience unlike any before. That's when I decided I wanted to create a new theatrical space using this system in Japan.

─  I hear the Dutch stage is quite popular. Do you think it will be accepted in Japan too?

Matsumura: Tokyo boasts over 120 theaters of all sizes and hosts numerous productions, making it one of the world's premier theater cities. Japan also has a deep-rooted theater culture, starting with Kabuki, Noh, and Kyogen, and later embracing imported Western theater. It's a country with a highly mature and sensitive theater audience. I am confident that IHI Stage Around can create a boom among such audiences.

 

Unprecedented speed and a unique sense of floating

 

─  What kind of staging and world-building is possible with a rotating audience system?

Matsumura: Since the stage set is installed 360 degrees around the audience, it allows for rapid scene changes without blackouts or set changes. Furthermore, because the hanamichi surrounds the audience, the seats can rotate in sync with the actors' movements. It creates a visual effect similar to scenes in movies where the camera follows actors walking and talking. I believe the conscious and unconscious movement of the audience creates an indescribable sense of immersion and floating sensation.

─  Please share your thoughts on the significance of establishing a stage in Toyosu and your expectations for the opening production, "The Seven Samurai of the Skull Castle" by Gekidan Shinkansen.

Matsumura: Toyosu will be a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Games. It's an area undergoing active urban development and can be considered a new growth zone. I believe Toyosu is well-suited to become a place that broadcasts new entertainment to both domestic and international audiences.

"The Seven Skulls of the Castle" is a signature work of Gekidan Shinkansen. The worldview of its director and founder, Hidenori Inoue, and this theater system are a perfect match, wouldn't you agree? This production, which employs cutting-edge visuals, music, and lighting to create a fast-paced world, should definitely suit the stage.

 

─  What kind of presence will IHI Stage Around become in the future?

Matsumura: Its applications and potential will expand beyond theater to include musicals, concerts, ballet, and dance performances. Furthermore, our mission is to develop media mixes by linking this kind of live entertainment not only with our core business of TV programming, but also with films, anime, and VOD (video on demand). Using this unprecedented theater as our base, we want to initiate "new things" and "fun things."

Starting next spring, we'll present a super-long-run performance of Gekidan Shinkansen's masterpiece!

 

Gekidan Shinkansen, celebrating its 36th year, is the popular troupe performing the grand opening. Their production, "The Seven Samurai of the Skull Castle," has been staged in various versions since 1990 as the troupe's signature work. New staging is anticipated within the Stage Around environment.

Furthermore, this production is unique in that it will be staged in four distinct versions: "Flower," "Bird," "Wind," and "Moon," all based on the same "Seven Samurai of the Skull Castle." Each version will feature different cast members, with the story development and direction rewritten for each iteration. Starting with "Flower," scheduled for 85 performances from March 30 to June 12, 2017, all versions will be staged in a long-run production spanning one year and three months. Total attendance for the entire series is projected to reach 500,000 people.

ONWARD presents Gekidan Shinkansen "The Seven Samurai of the Skull Castle" Season Flower
Ticket Sales Begin: Saturday, November 26, 2016
For details, visit: www.tbs.co.jp/stagearound/