Sumidagawa, a masterpiece of Japanese Noh (traditional masked dance-drama), returns to the Aldeburgh Festival for the first time in 33 years. It is presented by exceptional Noh performers from Japan including Shizuka Mikata in the role of the mother and the kotsuzumi player Tatsushi Narita. It will be preceded by a commissioned English re-telling of the story “ A Tale of Sumida River “ by Xanthe Gresham-Knight.

Sumidagawa made a great impression on Britten and Pears after their witnessing a performance of the work in 1956, being the inspiration for Britten’s Curlew River (1964). In 1973, the classical theatre of Japan – Noh, Bunraku, Buyo and Kabuki – was celebrated in an illustrated lecture by Colin Graham, who produced and designed the setting for the first production of Curlew River. This was followed later by performances of drama, including Sumidagawa itself, at Snape Maltings. In 1991, Festival audiences took in both Sumidagawa and Curlew River in one night, performed by the Tatsuji Hayashi Company.

Noh Sumidagawa is presented in partnership with Noh Reimagined, produced by Akiko Yanagisawa (Mu Arts). Noh Reimagined is a series of festivals and projects aiming to present classical Noh masterpieces by leading Noh artists along with commissioned new works by innovative contemporary British artists.

Noh Reimagined aims to foster a dynamic dialogue between classical and contemporary arts to explore new meanings and interpretations which transcend time and cultural boundaries.

Sumidagawa (90')
Shizuka Mikata shite, mother
Seigo Mikuriya waki, ferryman
Monet Hirai kokata, child
Gasho Yamanaka jiutai chorus
Kohei Kawaguchi jiutai chorus
Yasuki Kobayakawa jiutai chorus
Yasumitsu Kobayakawa jiutai chorus
Yasuhiro Sakoh nohkan flute
Tatsushi Narita kotsuzumi shoulder drum
Tetsuya Yamamoto otsuzumi hip drum

Akiko Yanagisawa creative producer

Sumidagawa is presented in partnership with Noh Reimagined, produced by Akiko Yanagisawa (Mu Arts Japan).

Also a collaborative performance with the art installation by an internationally renowned artist Cerith When Evans will take place 17th June at 5pm in Dovecote gallery, Snape Maltings.

Tickets: £10 - £40