The Lower Depths at New National Theatre Tokyo

The first work in the "Kotozen" series for the 2019/2020 season is "The Lower Depths" by Russian author Maxim GORKY.

This well-known work has been performed countless times on Japanese stages since it first made its way here under the title "Yoru no Yado" in 1910, more than a century ago. During that time it has given rise to numerous celebrated productions. The play was ground-breaking in that its performance in Japan was only eight years after the first performance, in 1902, in its native Russia. Furthermore, it is a phenomenon in that it has continued to be performed ever since, and can be counted as one of Japan's best-loved foreign plays.

The up-and-coming GONOHE Marie of Bungakuza boldly takes on what is now a familiar play. Under the banner of the Kotozen project overseen by OGAWA Eriko, GONOHE focuses on the theme of "society and individuals" in the play, probing the essence of "The Lower Depths" from a new perspective.

Come and enjoy this youthful, 21st-century take on "The Lower Depths".

Authors

• Alex Szogyi
• Maxim Gorki
• Maxim Gorky