[Opening Official Report]Showa Modern x Cat x Detective Story A total of 47 popular voice actors for the reading drama become “cats”! “Nekotan! ~Nekomachi Kaikitan~” May 9th to 19th Ikebukuro/Owlspot/Live streaming May 18th and 19th

“Neko-tan! ~Nekomachi Kaikitan~”, a reading drama in which 47 popular voice actors play cats in different performances, will open at Owlspot in Ikebukuro on Thursday, May 9, 2024!

This work is based on the only novel “Nekomachi” left by Sakutaro Hagiwara, a poet who was active in the Taisho and early Showa eras.

An original work that incorporates mystery into the daily lives of cats living in a modern Showa era worldview.

Somali, an innocent detective cat, takes on the challenge of a series of bizarre cat murders that occur in “Neko Town”, a town where only cats live!

The client is Saiberian, an elegant and wealthy cat, Sakutaro, an elder cat, and Rie Tatsuishi, who holds the key to the case.

It is a mystery action drama in which he gains wisdom and power from his encounter with the brilliant detective Shota Amemiya, and approaches the truth of the case with great ease.

Live streaming has been decided. The dates and times are May 18th (Saturday) and Senshu Raku performance on May 19th (Sunday), both at 19:00.

In addition, a live sound source of the theme song sung by Nozomi Suzuhara, Sayuri Date, and Chihaya Yoshitake, who play the roles of Maze Somali, will also be on sale.

overview

Title: Nekotan! ~Cat Town Ghost Story~

Performance period: May 9, 2024 (Thursday) to May 19, 2024 (Sunday) 15 performances

Venue: Ikebukuro/Owlspot

Cast *Japanese syllabary order

maze somali(An innocent detective cat who acts as soon as he thinks of it)

CV: Nozomi Suzuhara, Sayuri Date, Chihaya Yoshitake

Shota Amemiya(The ace detective cat of the First Investigative Division, bound by past fate)

CV: Kento Ito, Nozomi Urawa, Tomotaka Ohno, Shinichiro Kamio, Sho Kano, Hidenori Takahashi,

Kikunosuke Toya, Masatomo Nakazawa, Yoshiki Nakajima, Kotaro Nishiyama, Ayato Morinaga, Tomohiro Yamaguchi

Rian Takarabe(An elegant and sophisticated wealthy cat who brings a request to Somali)

CV: Ayaka Ohashi, Haruka Kudo, Yurika Kubo, Yuri Komagata, Mayu Sagara, Riko Sasaki, Akiho Suzumoto,

Momoko Seto, Minami Takahashi, Hina Tachibana, Chiemi Tanaka, Rio Tsuchiya, Moe Toyota

Rie Ryuseki(He is a singer with an unconventional atmosphere and is an important reference cat who holds the key to the case)

CV: Ao Ichikawa, Mainaka Iwami, Makoto Koichi, Yuki Sakakibara, Nanaka Suwa, Yuki Takada, Ryumaru Tachibana,

Rio Tsuchiya, Masatomo Nakazawa, Ruriko Noguchi, Takuya Masumoto, Machico, Mayu Mineta

Sakutarou(A carefree living dictionary, the elder cat of Nekocho)

CV: Kenji Akabane, Taichi Ichikawa, Kazuhiko Inoue, Masato Ohba, Jun Kasama, Shinichiro Kamio, Hidenori Takahashi,

Ryumaru Tachibana, Kenji Hamada, Takuya Masumoto, Rikuya Yasuda, Seiichiro Yamashita

Nuishima Kurumi(A cheerful cat with a sweet scent and flashy appearance)CV: Chihiro Nagase

Benshi: Kahoko Taki

*Depending on the cast, the cast may differ depending on the episode. Please check the appearance list for details.

official report

It begins with a retro feel, with the whistle of a steam locomotive sounding. It is reminiscent of the early Showa era. An unsettling start, running out of breath, loud noises, and screams. Apparently a murder (cat) incident occurred. And then a benshi appears. The resounding sound of a shamisen. The explanation of the work that is about to begin is light and witty. The name “Nomura Neko'' comes from a stray cat, and the naming is a good joke. Serial cat killing case, skin is being peeled off. At that time, Rian Takarabe, a well-dressed and fashionable female cat, was hired by the Maze Detective Agency. Maze Somali is a detective at a surprising agency who has amassed a large sum of money. Naturally, the police are also involved in the cat murder case. The police sergeant's name is Shota Amemiya, and any discerning audience member will know that he is a popular cat breed. Somali, Rian, Amemiya, and a cat who lives at an inn called “Blue Cat Inn”?・Sakutarou. Police and detectives pursue the case, but things don't go as planned. What is the truth behind the case? That's the general flow.

Unique cats appear one after another, playing with words and exchanging puns, and the benshi's depiction of the situation is lively.Although the cast is in front of the microphone in the reading drama, the audience's mind is filled with images of cats running around. I can see the situation clearly. Additionally, the costumes worn by the cast are inspired by modern fashion from the early Showa era. Detective Somali wears a cape and a hat, giving him a very “detective” look. The client, Rian, wears a brightly colored two-piece suit, Amemiya's suit is stylish, and since she is a cat, everyone except the benshi wears cat ears. Names, words, and proverbs related to cats: “Somali'', “Shota Amemiya (called “Amesho'' by Somalis), “Rian Takarabe (Siberian),'' “Rie Ryuseki (Dragon Lee),'' “Kurumi Nushima (stuffed toy = ragdoll). ”, “Chika Manda (Munchkin)”, “Neko ni Koban”, “Curiosity Kills the Cat”, “Thief Cat”, and of course Matatabi. There is a big stand-up in the second half, and of course, since it is a recitation, there is no real stand-up, but the words of the benshi and the lighting and other effects are used. I went to the theater on the first day to see the cast, and Sayuri Date played the role of Maze Somali, and she has a cute and lively impression that suits her character. In addition, a group of talented voice actors spin the story.

The benshi is veteran actor Kahoko Taki, and her benshi performance exudes dignity.

The scenes are vividly described, and the tone has a Showa feel, not just a reading drama, but like a narration of “activity photos.” Lighting supports this. This project has a “cat” feel from beginning to end, and the cat ears worn by the cast are all different. It may be a small place, but you can feel the care put into it. The running time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. I want to go to the theater with plenty of time.

Official stage photo

First day May 9th 19:00 Performance Cast

Maze Somali CV: Sayuri Date

Shota Amemiya CV: Hidenori Takahashi

Rian Takarabe CV: Mayu Sagara

Rie Ryuseki CV: Yuki Takada

Sakutaro CV: Rikuya Yasuda

Kurumi Nushima cv: Chihiro Nagase

Benshi: Kahoko Taki

Photography: Masayo Kanamaru

©Nekotan!partners

*When posting photos, please include the photo credit listed above.

introduction

Cat town, cat detective, cat case

The cat detective story “Nekotan! ~Nekomachi Kaijokitan~'' is written by Sakutaro Hagiwara, a poet known as the “father of modern Japanese poetry.''

Based on the world view of the only novel “Nekocho”,

It was born as original content of Showa Modern x Cat.

In this work, detective Mayoji Somali and client Rian Takarabe,

We will take on the case of a series of bizarre cat murders that terrorized Neko Town.

Advice from Sakutarou, the elder cat of Neko Town,

An encounter with Rii Tatsuishi, an important reference cat who holds the key to the case,

With the help of Shota Amemiya, the ace detective of the First Investigative Division,

We will get closer to the truth of the incident.

A light and stylish conversation, an unexpected development, and an unexpected ending…

Kaito Ranma's mystery action drama is finally starting!

comment

Screenplay/Direction: Kozo Kimura

Each role is multifaceted and has a human nature that is difficult to understand…

No, I tried to inflate my cat-ness. It includes plenty of familiar language exchanges and word games.

I hope you'll especially look forward to the parts where he shows off his witty storytelling skills and how he plays different roles. One of the highlights is the Showa modern atmosphere that is exuded here and there, as well as the cat ears that represent the character's cat breed.

The roles of Benshi and Kurumi will be played by two actors from the theater field, and the other five roles will be played by voice actors who rotate on a daily basis. The chemical reactions unique to that day are also unique to live shows.

In particular, we made it possible for the role of Ryuseki to be played by either a man or a woman, so how to interpret the role in the male and female versions.

I think the appeal of this work is that you can see the difference in how things are viewed. Please come to the theater.

Producer: Keicho Seiya

Let's create an original work and first develop it in the form of a reading drama.

It all began with the idea of ​​creating a piece that could pursue that quality.

Incorporating the “horror mystery'' created by Junji Inagawa, which resembles a gruesome ghost story, and the mysterious “fantasy'' elements that are difficult to depict through concrete expressions,

We decided that we wanted to create a story where the main character was a lovable and unique cat, so the conversation got really lively.

Therefore, I received a suggestion from Yoshio Irie of Power House that we should use the poem “Cat Town'' written by the poet Sakutaro Hagiwara as the theme.

When I showed the completed original story to Kozo Kimura, the conversation became very lively, and the unique characters took on a deeper definition.

The major change in Kozo Kimura's version of the script is that there are more comedy episodes. However, even when I read the first draft and during rehearsals,

You'll laugh out loud at its endearing nonsense, and the silly depictions will actually lead to heart-shaking dramas and horrifying scenes later on.

Yes, what we're creating is entertainment, so I thought, this is fine.

Everyone, if it's funny, please laugh, if it's scary, please listen more carefully, and if you can respond to the cast's passionate performance with generous applause.

Everyone involved could not be happier.

Performance schedule: May 9th (Thursday) to May 19th (Sunday), 2024, 15 performances in total

May 9th (Thursday) Start time: 19:00

May 10th (Friday) Start time: 19:00

May 11th (Sat) Start 12:30 / 18:00

May 12th (Sun) Start 12:30 / 18:00

May 13th (Monday) Start time: 19:00

May 14th (Tuesday) Starts at 19:00

May 15th (Wednesday) Start time: 19:00

May 16th (Thursday) Start time: 19:00

May 17th (Friday) Start time: 19:00

May 18th (Sat) Start 12:30 / 18:00

May 19th (Sun) Start 12:30 / 18:00

●Venue:

Owlspot (Toshima Performing Arts Exchange Center)

Rise Arena Building 2F, 4-5-2 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

・Directly connected to exits 6 and 7 of Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line ・10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station (East Exit) on JR and other lines ・2-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro 4-chome Station on the Toden Arakawa Line

●Ticket:

★Advance/same-day tickets: 8,000 yen (tax included) *Payment for same-day tickets: cash only, sales will be limited to each session with seats remaining.

●Live streaming:

Date and time: May 18th (Sat) 18:00, May 19th (Sun) 18:00

Distribution ticket: 3,500 yen (tax included)

Distribution platform: LIVESHIP

Ticket reception:

●Staff

Original work: Nekotan!Original idea: Power House

Screenplay/Direction: Kozo Kimura

Music: Yuichi Nishikawa

Art: Aya Matsumura

Sound: Izumi Koda

Lighting: Aiki Torii

Costume: Asami Uesugi (dexi)

Hair and makeup: Keiko Yokoyama

Assistant director: Chihiro Nagase

Stage director: Koji Kawada

Illustration/Design: Ghost/Somarazu

Production: ALiCE/Ryota Toyokawa, Akane Nagahama, Fugetsu Yasui

Ticket/Assistant: Nagi Ueno

Executive producer: Yoshio Irie, Fuki Aoki

Producer: Seiya Keicho, Kanae Munemura

Sponsored and produced by: Nekotan!Partners supported by Live Viewing Japan

Theme song

“Mysterious Walking” by Maze Somali

CV: Nozomi Suzuhara ver.

CV: Date Sayuri ver.

CV: Yoshitake Chisato ver.

Official website:

Official X: @neko_tan_stage

Recommended hashtag: #Nekotan *Neko is Katakana

Contact: [email protected]

Copyright notice: ©Nekotan!partners

*When posting the main visuals and logos, we ask for your cooperation in posting them.