Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

By Naomi Mori, 30 July 2021

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“this charming ballet could have been a great replacement for that Olympic opening ceremony”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 24 July 2021

RYUUGUU - The Turtle Princess (Kaiji Moriyama)

National Ballet of Japan

Kaiji Moriyama, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Akiyo Kushida, Lighting Designer

Risako Ikeda, Dancer

Kosuke Okumura, Dancer

Yui Yonezawa, Dancer

Shun Izawa, Dancer

K-Ballet Opto's A Dance Remembered in Tohno: thrilling mix of genres

Naomi Mori, 26th December

K-Ballet Opto's A Dance Remembered in Tohno, inspired by the book Tohno Stories by Kunio Yanagita, directed/choreographed by Kaiji Moriyama, is a brilliant mix of ballet, contemporary dance, butoh and kabuki, merged with Japanese folklore.

*****

Japan's Architanz 2014

Naomi Mori, 11th February

Ballet studio Architanz held a gala with two world premieres and also a farewell performance to the beloved star Robert Tewsley.

***11

National Ballet of Japan's revival of Manon was devastatingly good

Naomi Mori, 19th March

National Ballet of Japan in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon has been revived six years after its performances were cancelled because of the pandemic. Exceptionally good interpretations led the opening night performance.

****1

A poignant Rigoletto revival in Tokyo

Nahoko Gotoh, 21st February

The New National Theatre in Tokyo revives its traditionalist Rigoletto, featuring Vladimir Stoyanov as the cursed court jester, Eri Nakamura as Gilda and Lawrence Brownlee debuting as the Duke of Mantua.

***11

NBJ's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

Naomi Mori, 5th February

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret showcased the versatility of the company with modern classical works including Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin, van Manen's 5 Tangos and Balanchine's Theme and Variations.

****1

Will Tuckett's Nutcracker for National Ballet of Japan is delightful

Naomi Mori, 19th December

National Ballet of Japan premiered production of Nutcracker choreographed by Will Tuckett, that features a stylish and dramatic Act 1 and a hilarious, colourful and unique Act 2.

****1

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Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly

National Ballet of Japan's Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture