A Japanese ROMEO AND JULIET to the songs of Queen’s A NIGHT AT THE OPERA comes to Sadler’s Wells

Photo credit: Kishin Shinoyama

Coming to Sadler’s Wells from 22-24 September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet to original recordings of songs by Queen.

Late 12th century Japan, as the age of the Samurai dawns, the rivalry between the Minamoto and Taira clans intensifies, and their young heirs Romeo and Juliet fatefully fall in love. Two sets of star-crossed lovers intercept one another’s fates as the well-known story takes a different turn with sometimes comic and sometimes tragic outcomes.

The show was inspired by Freddie Mercury’s love of Japan – one of his kimono’s was recently on display at the V&A – and the London tour date was decided upon when Queen’s agent Jim Beach praised its world premiere in Tokyo.

A Night at the Kabuki premiered in Japan in 2019 and has played to over 70,000 people in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kitakyushu, winning the Grand Prize of the 27th annual Yomiuri Theatre Award. The title was taken from the title of the Queen album that inspired it, with ‘kabuki’ being the equivalent word for ‘opera’ in Japan. The word kabuki embodies a playful spirit and a sense of maverick.

This London run will feature all of the original core pairs of Romeos and Juliets including Takako Matsu, an actress and pop singer who was the voice of Elsa in the Japanese version of Frozen;, Takaya Kamikawa, the long running male lead Detective Itomura in CSI: Crime Scene Talks; Suzu Hirose, who made her stage debut in the play (after an extensive film, television and modelling career), and became the youngest recipient to win the renowned Kinokuniya Theater Award for her portrayal in the production; and Jun Shison who is a  member of male actors group D-BOYS & D2 and is a global brand ambassador for Gucci.

Brain May said: “We are thrilled and honoured that legendary playwright and director Hideki Noda has chosen to expand on the theatrical aspect of Queen’s album A Night at The Opera and actually make it into a real live play. How wonderful to be a part of Japanese culture after all these years.”

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.