#Japan #Tokyo #Japanese Theatre #Gekidan Rigolo #Asagaya Theatre

Gekidan Rigolo's 39th Performance: "Wadachi" and "쉰다리 (Shindari)"

The highly anticipated 39th performance by Gekidan Rigolo is set to begin on September 3, 2025, and will run until September 7, 2025, at the Asagaya Theatre Shine in Suginami, Tokyo. Tickets are currently available through Confetti, managed by Longrun Planning Co., Ltd. in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Overview of the Performance

Celebrating its 28th anniversary, Gekidan Rigolo will present a double bill of two thought-provoking plays:

1. Wadachi - A newly penned work by director Kanemitsu Jinzo, this play continues the artistic style of "Recall," which received accolades at the Kansai Theatre Festival 2022, including MVO, Best Script, and Best Direction awards.

2. 쉰다리 (Shindari) - Written by Kim Cheol-uk, this play enjoyed a successful run in 2023 despite the challenges of the pandemic. It is now being re-staged, allowing audiences to experience its impactful storytelling once more.

Summary of the Plays

Wadachi

The story begins with two different-sized wheels struggling to move along an unpaved road; despite their dissonance, they manage to support each other. The narrative travels back in time to a Korean woman left in Japan, who faced war alone and eventually arrived in Hiroshima and Osaka with her three daughters. As the daughters grow up and leave home, their mother resolutely refuses to live with them until the end of her life. Fast forward to the present, one of the granddaughters decides to invite her three aunts to dinner to learn about their family's history. The eldest daughter begins to recall their shared past, and the story unfolds.

쉰다리 (Shindari)

Set in a poor household in Osaka, the play captures the struggles of a Korean family dealing with the death of the father. As the family prepares for the funeral, differing perspectives arise among the siblings regarding how to honor their father’s wishes. Some seek to celebrate their Korean heritage, while others, aiming to assimilate into Japanese culture, oppose traditional practices. The setting leads to humorous yet intense conflicts as they navigate the complexities of grief and identity, culminating in an even more fierce battle during annual memorial services. Observing from afar is a quiet presence symbolizing their hometown.

Performance Details

Title: Gekidan Rigolo's 39th Performance "Wadachi / 쉰다리 (Shindari)"
Dates: September 3 (Wed) to September 7 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Asagaya Theatre Shine, Suginami, Tokyo (1-15-15 Asagaya Minami)

Cast

• - Tsukiumi Mai
• - Tomita Mai
• - Yamagata Keisho
• - Nakazuru Maiyo
• - Shin Sanna
• - NANA
• - Kanemitsu Jinzo
• - Saito Konomi
• - Hoshino Momoko
• - Hayashi Rintaro
• - Kondo Hiroko
• - Kino

(Performers from Gekidan Rigolo)

Staff

• - Writers: Kim Cheol-uk, Kanemitsu Jinzo
• - Director: Kanemitsu Jinzo
• - Stage Manager: Saito Konomi
• - Set Design: Kanemitsu Jinzo, moimoi
• - Lighting: Takebe Masayo (LINK)
• - Sound: Murakami Takashi (LINK)
• - Design: moimoi
• - Costumes & Props: Kanemitsu Jinzo
• - Promotion: Hoshino Momoko, Hayashi Rintaro
• - Photography: Orii Yasuhiro
• - Video: Nbufukawa Hayata, Lina
• - Production: Gekidan Rigolo

Schedule

• - September 3 (Wed): 19:00
• - September 4 (Thu): 19:00
• - September 5 (Fri): 14:00 (Sold Out)
• - September 5 (Fri): 19:00
• - September 6 (Sat): 13:00 (Sold Out)
• - September 6 (Sat): 18:00 (Sold Out)
• - September 7 (Sun): 14:00 (Sold Out)

*Ticket sales begin 45 minutes before the show, and the doors open 30 minutes early. The approximate runtime is 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Ticket Information

• - Advance: ¥4,300
• - Student Discount: ¥2,800 (Free for children under high school age with student ID)

(All seats are unreserved and include tax)

You can purchase tickets via the Confetti website. For the ticket purchase process and membership benefits, please visit this link.