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The鍵Key

"wonderfully and meticulously crafted"

Schmopera

**WINNER OF 19th Keizo Saji Prize 2019**
​第19回(2019年度)佐治敬三賞は「THE 鍵 KEY」に決定


An award-winning, site-specific opera by composer/director Francesca Le Lohé, inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel “The Key”. Told through an exciting combination of Japanese and Western art forms, audiences are invited to peer into the private lives of a complex family.A new Anglo-Japanese dramatic musical work inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s ‘The Key’ (1956)

A new Anglo-Japanese dramatic musical work inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s ‘The Key’ (1956)
Composed and directed by Francesca Le Lohé with production support and dramaturgy by Whole Hog Theatre

Nakacho House Tokyo 2018・​Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier Tokyo 2019・Tête a Tête: The Opera Festival 2019

https://thekeyopera.com/about/​


Juxtaposing constructions of "The West" and "Japanese tradition", Tanizaki's work is known for shocking erotic worlds and a search for cultural identity. Francesca Le Lohé’s adaptation explores his themes through music and dance, using both Western and Japanese instruments.

The story unfolds through highly personal diary entries of the central married couple, both of whom believe the other will secretly read what they have written.This site-specific promenade piece sees four trios performing simultaneously in separate rooms of a house. Moving freely, the audience organically and voyeuristically discover the secret lives of the characters.

The 2019 Tokyo performances of「THE鍵KEY」at Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier has been awarded the "19th Keizo Saji Prize" by The Suntory Foundation for the Arts! ​This annual prize is to a high-quality, challenging, and reaction-provoking music-based public performances held in Japan. ​For more information please see the press release. 

Tokyo 2019

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Cast & Crew 

The Husband Trio:
 Takashi Matsudaira (baritone/actor),  Jin Rei (shakuhachi) and Yukiko Siina (double bass)

The Wife Trio:
 Akane Kudo (soprano/actress), Atsumi Kojima (sho)
and Yuri Kubota (cello)

The Daughter Trio:
 Yu Igarashi (mezzo-soprano/actress),  Mikako Ogawa (kotsutsumi and shimedaiko: Japanese percussion) and​ Kyouju Hiyakawa (violin)

Kimura, The Lover Trio:
 Rikki Metsugi (dancer/actor),  Kumiko Shuto (Biwa) and Hiroko Miyake (clarinet)
Director/Composer: Francesca Le Lohé
Producer: Naoya Yamashita
Venue Director: Takeshi Yoshida
Choreography: Kae Ishimoto
Dramaturg: Alexandra Rutter
Production partner: Whole Hog Theatre


Tête a Tête London 2019

Cast and Crew


10 Tollgate Drive, SE21 7LS

Collaborating with UK-based performers and staged in a British architect's private residence, the world of THE鍵KEY shall expand as we explore new possibilities and further explore the Western themes and influences inherent in this Anglo-Japanese work. 

An official event of the Japan-UK Season of Culture in collaboration with Southbank Sinfonia and Whole Hog Theatre. 

Produced by The Kagi Project in partnership with Japan Foundation, Azuki Foundation/Mu Arts and Powell Tuck Associates
​

Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Arts Council England, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and RWV Trust.

See full London performance here
​


The Husband Trio
The husband: Hiroshi Amako (tenor)
Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute): Clive Bell
Double bass: Mark Lipski

The Wife Trio
The wife: Akane Kudo (soprano)
Sho (Japanese mouth organ): Naomi Sato
Cello: Idlir Shyti

The Daughter Trio
The daughter: Akari Mochizuki (mezzo-soprano)
Shimedaiko (Japanese percussion): Akinori Fujimoto
Violin: Joana Ly
Kimura: Shouzo Ayaka (dancer)

​
Crew
Composer and director: Francesca Le Lohé
Dramaturg: Alexandra Rutter (Whole Hog Theatre)
Choreographer: Kae Ishimoto
Executive producer (UK): Akiko Yanagisawa
(
Mu arts/Azuki Foundation)

Producer (Japan): Naoya Yamashita
Production assistants: Fiona Allison and Joanna Pidcock
In collaboration with Asia Grzybowska 
Venue courtesy of Angus Shepherd and his family

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"an inspired synergy between words, music, visual and space"

Opera Magazine
Company no. 08095834 registered in England and Wales
© Whole Hog Theatre Ltd. 2019
​All rights reserved - all photos subject to artist copyright

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  • HOME
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Benefactors
  • UK・JAPAN
    • The Garden of Words  言の葉の庭- Tokyo
    • The Garden of Words - London
    • The鍵Key
    • Tristan and Isolde
    • Princess Mononoke  もののけ姫
  • UK
    • Dangerous Liaisons
    • Five Kinds of Silence
    • Costanzo
  • Contact