人形劇俳優、平常（たいらじょう）オフィシャルサイト

For Adults (R-15)

La Marie-Vison

Stylish, decadent, thought-provoking

Jo’s stylish take on Shuji Terayama’s avant-garde classic about the complicated relationship among a manipulative transvestite prostitute, her restless son and a loyal servant. The adult-oriented (R-15) show has lost none of its power to shock in its provocative examination of societal norms, highlighted by Jo’s skillful embodiment of both the repressor and the repressed. His award-winning production has been performed nationwide in frequent revivals and has become one of his signature works.

Based on the play by Shuji Terayama
Direction and art design: Jo Taira
Duration: Approximately 2 hours (no intermission)
Performed in Japanese with subtitles
Premiere: December 2003
Award: Silver Prize of The Japan Puppet Theatre Awards

For Adults

Hamlet

Inventive portrait with exquisite cello accompaniment

This acclaimed production was created in collaboration with renowned cellist Dai Miyata. Jo plays all roles in an inventive and insightful interpretation of the familiar tale using a unique stained glass motif. Miyata’s exquisite accompaniment further explores the psychological state of the characters from a musical perspective, bringing a new dimension to Shakespeare’s words. An unforgettable theatrical experience.

Based on the play by William Shakespeare
Adaptation, direction and art design: Jo Taira
Musical direction and performer: Dai Miyata
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (one intermission)
Performed in Japanese with subtitles
Premiere: February 2016

For Adults

The Ballad of Orin

Young blind girl yearns for love in Mizukami’s enduring tragedy

Jo recreates Tsutomu Mizukami’s tale of a doomed love affair between the poor blind minstrel Orin and a military deserter in early 20th-century Japan. Jo uses numerous puppets to represent Orin at different stages of her life as well as playing multiple characters using his own body in a unique blend of puppetry and acting, with scattered newspaper as his motif. An achingly beautiful tragedy performed to Jo’s own score.

Based on the novel by Tsutomu Mizukami
Adaptation, direction, art design and music: Jo Taira
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (one intermission)
Performed in Japanese with subtitles
Premiere: September 2011

For Adults

Medea

The great Greek tragedy told in majestic cardboard art

Puppetry becomes the modern equivalent of masked theater in this timeless examination of the extremes of human emotion. The entire panoply of puppets, props and sets is made of cardboard in a monotone motif evoking ancient Greek sculpture, presented in Jo’s inimitable style. The evocative Baroque music was specially selected for this work by French virtuoso Sébastien Marq.

Based on the play by Euripides
Adaptation, direction and art design: Jo Taira
Music supervisor: Sébastien Marq
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (one intermission)
Performed in Japanese with subtitles
Premiere: March 2013

For Children and families

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Entire theater is a stage in this dynamic spectacle

This highly popular production, a regular visitor to Tokyo’s New National Theatre, tells the fantastical story of Dorothy and her friends in grand and colorful spectacle. Jo’s fine delineation of over 30 characters and his dynamic direction will upend your perception and expectation of puppet theater. Performed to a joyously melodious original score. Designed for audiences of all ages, Oz is perfect entertainment for the entire family.

Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum
Adaptation, direction, art design and music: Jo Taira
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (one intermission)
Premiere: July 2009

For Adults

Salome

Graceful fusion of puppetry and classical music

Wilde’s tale of obsessive desire is given new expression by Jo’s artistry, highlighted by a breathtaking Dance of the Veils. The show is played to various classical pieces selected by the famed cellist Dai Miyata, who leads a sumptuous four-piece chamber orchestra. Specially commissioned by Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the show has won wide praise in performances across Japan.

Based on the play by Oscar Wilde
Adaptation, direction and art design: Jo Taira
Musical direction: Dai Miyata
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (one intermission)
Performed in Japanese with subtitles
Premiere: January 2019

人形劇俳優平常 JO TAIRA

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Message to Jo Taira