Sharakuko

[Machine Translation] A masterpiece of a play that depicts a spectacular human drama full of young passion and madness. A bold, fresh, and new perspective! The masterpiece play is reconstructed more speedily. Toshusai Sharaku suddenly disappeared from history, leaving behind nearly 150 nishiki-e (color woodblock prints) in a mere 10 months. We do not know his real name, let alone the date of his birth and death, and all that remains are his works that radiate a unique power. Was it a divine trick, a true genius, or did such a person really exist? The masterpiece "Sharaku-ko" (written by Seiichi Yashiro, published in 1971, winner of the 1972 Yomiuri Literary Award), based on Sharaku, has been given a new shine in the modern age with a bold and innovative approach. The production was directed by Suzuki Katsuhide, an up-and-coming director who is constantly questioning the modernity of theater. In order to convey the energy of the masterpiece to the present day, some roles and lines are cut from the play, and a speedy development of Edo, a city filled with chaos and a sense of stagnation, is presented in a captivating manner. The cast includes Shinichi Tsutsumi in the title role, Katsumi Takahashi, well-known for his TV dramas and variety shows, Keishi Nagatsuka, a playwright and director of note, the talented Tokuma Nishioka, and a full complement of women, including Midoriko Kimura and Natsumi Nanase. This is the story of Sharaku, a mysterious ukiyo-e artist who has fascinated and aroused the curiosity of many people throughout the ages. Filmed at Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon on April 18, 2007.

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若き情熱と狂気にあふれた壮絶な人間模様を描いた名作戯曲。大胆かつ斬新に、新たな視点で切り込む! 名作戯曲をよりスピーディーに再構成。 わずか10ヶ月の間に150点近くの錦絵を残しながら、忽然と歴史から姿を消した東洲斎写楽 (とうしゅうさい・しゃらく)。生没年はおろか、本名さえも分からず、残るは独特の力強さを放つ作品のみ。神のいたずらか、真の天才か、それとも本当にそんな人物が存在していたのか・・・。この写楽を題材にした傑作「写楽考」 (作・矢代静一、1971年発表、1972年度読売文学賞受賞)が、大胆かつ斬新なアプローチにより現代に新たな輝きを放った。演出を手がけたのは、常に演劇の現代性を問い続けている気鋭の演出家・鈴木勝秀。名作戯曲のエネルギーを現代に伝えるため、一部の役・セリフをカットし、カオスと閉塞感に満ちた江戸をスピーディーな展開で魅せる。出演は、タイトルロールを演じる堤真一をはじめ、ドラマやバラエティでもおなじみの高橋克実、劇作家・演出家としても注目の長塚圭史、実力派・西岡徳馬、女性陣はキムラ緑子、七瀬なつみといった充実のキャストたち。いつの時代にも多くの人々を魅了し、好奇心をかきたててきた謎の浮世絵師・写楽の物語。熱き情熱と狂気をはらんだ壮絶な人間模様に迫る意欲作。2007年4月18日Bunkamuraシアターコクーンにて撮影収録。