CINEMA KABUKI

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. All films screened with English subtitles.

Tickets: $23.00 ea. For box office info: http://www.jftor.org/whatson/CinemaKabuki200911.php


DOJOJI - A LOVER'S DUET (a dance performance)
Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 PM

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.


THE SENTIMENTAL PLASTERER (A domestic comedy)
Thursday, November 12, 7:00 PM

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.


TRIPLE LION DANCE (a dance performance)
Saturday, November 14, 1:00 PM

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 Japan¹s 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.


THE PEONY LANTERN (a ghost story)
Saturday, November 14, 3:00 PM

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.


NEZUMI, THE JAPANESE ROBIN HOOD (a satirical comedy)
Sunday, November 15, 3:30 PM

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.