Post by nobunaga on Nov 18, 2017 12:44:28 GMT
I visited this theatre a couple of weeks ago while on my annual Japan trip and though I would
do a quick write up-hopefully this might be of some use to somebody else who may be thinking of visiting.
So first the practicalities
Buying a ticket-this can be done over the internet via the theatre's web site.
You will need to create an account first which is
Straightforward Tickets generally go on sale a month before the performance and sell out fast-I went
to a Saturday afternoon performance and the prices (Oct 2017) were
front stage seat 4900 yen (£ 37)
side stage seat 3200 yen (£ 24)
Middle stage seat 2700 yen (£20)
I had a side stage seat the view from which was fine.
When you purchase a ticket over the internet you will be E mailed a E-ticket which you will need to print out-the ticket has a QR code-on the day of the performance you will need to go to the box office in the corner of which is a machine. You scan the QR code on this machine and it spits out a ticket and receipt.
Getting to the theater..
The nearest underground station is Sendagaya Station-on exiting the station turn right and head past what is a large car park on your right. On the first road crossing cross the road and the theatre is directly ahead.
The theatre..
The theatre has the usual amenities-on entering the theatre there is a room for coin-lockers on the left. Further in there is a counter for programmes (cost about 700 yen and are well produced).This counter also sells the English language Noh guides of which there are six volumes at about 3000 yen each. I did not buy any this visit (would have to post them back to the UK I guess) but maybe next visit.
Also nearby was a stall selling Noh videos and books ( some in English) . There is also a restaurant next to which is a seating area which was full of people eating bento lunch boxes! This was a good idea as I was starting to get hungry despite been jet lagged. will remember tip for the next visit...
There is also a large closed circuit TV where you could watch the performance if you were late.
Near the doors of the auditorium is a large seating plan so finding your seat is easy. The seats resemble airplane seats in that there is a small LCD screen which displays notes for the performance and both Japanese and English subtitles for the Noh performance .The screen also lets you know when it is the interval (there is also a counter on the Auditorium wall displaying a countdown of the number of minutes left for the interval).There was also a mad rush for the toilets during the interval with long queues.
There is also an exhibition area (which you can access on non-performance days via its own separate entrance).
I will not say too much about the performance I saw-instead of the usual Kyogen there was a Bugaku Performance followed after an interval by a Noh play so it was not a typical performance-but I enjoyed both.
Well, I hope this has been of some use-if you are in Tokyo and fancy an afternoon with a difference I hope you will consider a visit!
do a quick write up-hopefully this might be of some use to somebody else who may be thinking of visiting.
So first the practicalities
Buying a ticket-this can be done over the internet via the theatre's web site.
You will need to create an account first which is
Straightforward Tickets generally go on sale a month before the performance and sell out fast-I went
to a Saturday afternoon performance and the prices (Oct 2017) were
front stage seat 4900 yen (£ 37)
side stage seat 3200 yen (£ 24)
Middle stage seat 2700 yen (£20)
I had a side stage seat the view from which was fine.
When you purchase a ticket over the internet you will be E mailed a E-ticket which you will need to print out-the ticket has a QR code-on the day of the performance you will need to go to the box office in the corner of which is a machine. You scan the QR code on this machine and it spits out a ticket and receipt.
Getting to the theater..
The nearest underground station is Sendagaya Station-on exiting the station turn right and head past what is a large car park on your right. On the first road crossing cross the road and the theatre is directly ahead.
The theatre..
The theatre has the usual amenities-on entering the theatre there is a room for coin-lockers on the left. Further in there is a counter for programmes (cost about 700 yen and are well produced).This counter also sells the English language Noh guides of which there are six volumes at about 3000 yen each. I did not buy any this visit (would have to post them back to the UK I guess) but maybe next visit.
Also nearby was a stall selling Noh videos and books ( some in English) . There is also a restaurant next to which is a seating area which was full of people eating bento lunch boxes! This was a good idea as I was starting to get hungry despite been jet lagged. will remember tip for the next visit...
There is also a large closed circuit TV where you could watch the performance if you were late.
Near the doors of the auditorium is a large seating plan so finding your seat is easy. The seats resemble airplane seats in that there is a small LCD screen which displays notes for the performance and both Japanese and English subtitles for the Noh performance .The screen also lets you know when it is the interval (there is also a counter on the Auditorium wall displaying a countdown of the number of minutes left for the interval).There was also a mad rush for the toilets during the interval with long queues.
There is also an exhibition area (which you can access on non-performance days via its own separate entrance).
I will not say too much about the performance I saw-instead of the usual Kyogen there was a Bugaku Performance followed after an interval by a Noh play so it was not a typical performance-but I enjoyed both.
Well, I hope this has been of some use-if you are in Tokyo and fancy an afternoon with a difference I hope you will consider a visit!
