CINEMA KABUKI at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto - Tickets Now on Sale

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
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CINEMA KABUKI
in High Definition on the Big Screen
including two Canadian premieres, The Peony Lantern and Triple Lion Dance



November 2009
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Tickets: $23.00 (tax included)

The box office is now open for exclusive screenings of Cinema Kabuki at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto. These screenings offer the rare opportunity to experience performances by some of Japan's biggest Kabuki stars in high definition on the big screen.

Since its birth in the 1600s, Kabuki theatre remains at the cutting edge with live productions featuring some of the best Kabuki actors. Cinema Kabuki series are recorded by multiple HD cameras for screening in movie theatres by high-quality digital projectors and 6-channel sound.

Seating is limited, so act now and purchase your tickets at www.cineplex.com or at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 259 Richmond St. W. (Step-by-step instructions for purchasing online tickets below.)

Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 PM

Dojoji - A Lover's Duet (a dance performance)
Kyokanoko Musume Ninin Dojoji
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Naoya Hasumi
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2006
71 minutes
Subtitled in English

Tamasaburo, one of Japan's most renowned dancers, and rising star Kikunosuke create elegant mirror images to underscore the beauty and eroticism of one soul divided by the sacred and the profane in Dojoji - A Lover's Duet. Abandoning the sacred path has transformed a beautiful young woman into a serpent. Dancing at a dedication ceremony for a temple bell, the woman/serpent rediscovers her higher self.

Thursday, November 12, 7:00 PM

The Sentimental Plasterer (a domestic comedy)

Nionjobanashi Binshoichi Mottoi
Based on a Rakugo story told by Sanyutei Encho
Revised and directed for the stage and Cinema Kabuki by Yoji Yamada
Recorded live at Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
87 minutes
Subtitled in English

Chobei, a skillful plasterer, blithely gambles his family into poverty. To feed the family, his daughter Ohisa turns to prostitution. Touched by Ohisa's selfless love for her parents, a Madam arranges a loan for Chobei. On the way home, Chobei saves a young man who, having lost a large sum, is about to commit suicide. But who will believe this story? Surely Chobei has gambled away the family's last chance. Starring Kanzaburo and Senjaku as Chobei and his wife.

Saturday, November 14, 1:00 PM

Triple Lion Dance (a dance performance)
Renjishi
Written by Mokuami Kawatake
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Yoji Yamada
Recorded live at Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
55 minutes
Subtitled in English

The Kabuki Lion Dance usually features a father/son duo as two powerful lions who explore the challenging father/son relationship. The Triple Lion Dance is extraordinary not only because it stars the legendary Kanzaburo, but also his talented sons Kantaro and Shichinosuke who shine as the younger lions, showcasing three of Japan's most revered mythical beasts. Look for unusual hand-held shishi masks which evolve into majestic full mane costumes. The Lion Dance enactment is one of the most prestigious and sought-after roles for Kabuki dancers.

Saturday, November 14, 3:00 PM

The Peony Lantern (a ghost story)

Kaidain Botan Doro
Based on a rakugo story by Sanyutei Encho
Written by Nobuyuki Onishi
Directed for stage by Ichiro Inui
Directed for Cinema Kabuki by Hiroyuki Nakatani
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2007
155 minutes plus 15 minutes intermission
Subtitled in English

The distant sound of clogs and the haunting light of the Peony Lantern are the signs of the lady ghost's advent. By the amulets placed around the young man's house the ghosts are kept out. But the cunning spectres bribe the young man's starving servant Tomozo and his wife Omine to help them by removing the amulets.
Kabuki's “golden pair” Nizaemon and Tamasaburo breathtakingly portray the tragicomic relationship of a couple who climb up from poverty by human greed only to crash down from their newfound splendour through a hellish curse.

Sunday, November 15, 3:30 PM

Nezumi, The Japanese Robin Hood (a satirical comedy)
Nezumi Kozo, Noda Version
Written and directed for the stage by Hideki Noda
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2003
110 minutes
Subtitled in English

Nezumi, a sort of 18th-century Robin Hood, is a Japanese urban legend. His passion for money drives a cynical, duplicitous coffin maker to take on Nezumi’s mantle. In this kaleidoscope of disguise and deception, society’s pretenses are destroyed in a melting pot of farce, social satire and courtroom drama. The mighty are brought low to everyone’s delight. Contemporary theatre genius Hideki Noda collaborates with Kabuki theatre at the invitation of celebrated actor Kanzaburo.

All screenings take place at:
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
259 Richmond St. West

Calendar of the screenings
November, 2009
Wednesday, 11, 7:00 PM Dojoji – A Lover’s Duet (a dance performance)
Thursday, 12, 7:00 PM The Sentimental Plasterer (a domestic comedy)
Saturday, 14, 1:00 PM Triple Lion Dance (a dance performance)
Saturday, 14, 3:00 PM The Peony Lantern (a ghost story)
Sunday, 15, 1:00 PM Dojoji – A Lover’s Duet (a dance performance)
Sunday, 15, 3:30 PM Nezumi, The Japanese Robin Hood (a satirical comedy)

ONLINE TICKET SALES
Step-by-step instructionswww.cineplex.com
*You do not have to be a SCENE card member to buy tickets.

1) Have your credit card ready
2) Go to the [Theatres] page
3) Choose [Scotiabank Theatre Toronto]
4) From [Movie Show Time Search], choose the screening date
5) Choose the program you want to see (Nezumi, Dojoji, Peony, Lion Dance or Plasterer)
6) Choose the show time
7) Follow the ticket sales prompts to complete the sale
Print out your tickets

For more information contact The Japan Foundation, Toronto at:
416-966-1600 x229
info@jftor.org
www.jftor.org