COCOON PRODUCTION 2024 “Fukusuke 2024 – Kabukicho mokushiroku” will be performed at THEATER MILANO-Za in Kabukicho, Tokyo, from July 9 (Tuesday) to August 4 (Sunday).
“Fukusuke” was originally written and directed by Matsuo Suzuki and premiered in 1991 at the theater production group “Akuninn Kaigi” and was revived in 1998 by Nihon Sogo Higeki Kyokai and again in 2012 by Theatre Cocoon On Repertory + Otona Keikaku.
The play is a human drama about a boy, “Fukusuke” who is crippled by a drug attack, and the characters from various backgrounds struggle desperately to survive, driven by bottomless malice and love. The show, which is being staged again for the first time in 12 years, has a new subtitle, “Kabukicho Mokushiroku” and a renewed script.The story revolves around a married couple, Korogi, a security guard at the hospital where Fuxke is hospitalized, and his blind wife, Sakae.
The play is written and directed by Matsuo Suzuki. In addition to Matsuo, the cast includes Sadawo Abe, Hana Kuroki, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Yukino Kishii, Sarutoki Minagawa, Honoka Matsumoto, Shima Ise, Tsubaki Nekoze, Miwako Shishido, Chika Uchida, Mizuki Machida, Katsuo Kawai, Eiji Sugawara, Okui Shuji, Natsuko Akiyama, Kazutada Kagaya, Chika Ishii, Ayaka Ishida, Pajama Ehara, Akane Ohno, Masamori Kugu, Karin Tachibana, Tomono Shota, Chihiro Nagaishi, Yuka Matsumoto, Masahiro Yonera, and Daisuke Yamamori. Nobuto Yamanaka will also participate on the shamisen.
The performance will also be staged at the main hall of the Rome Theater Kyoto in Kyoto from August 9 (Fri.) to 15 (Thu.) and at the Canal City Theater in Hakata, Fukuoka from August 23 (Fri.) to 26 (Mon.).
For details on the performance schedule and tickets, please check the special website.
【Matsuo Suzuki’s comment】
At the end of my twenties, “Fukusuke” was the first piece in which I thought about the story and characters in a boiled-down version, rather than focusing on gags. I will never forget the sight of the audience queuing up at Suzunari, my first performed at that theater.
When I heard that the new theater was located in Kabukicho, I had no hesitation in coming up with the idea of reviving this play set in Kabukicho.
As for the new setting, I was still very much attached to the role of the Korogi that I played, and I wanted to see a story in which the Korogi was the main character.
I don’t think I’ve seen a play this toxic recently. I am aiming for a play in which the poison of Kabukicho and the poison of the play are synergistic, and inversely beautiful. Please look forward to it!
