|
Profile
Hideki Noda
Artistic Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1955, Noda is a playwright, director, and actor. He became the artistic director of Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre as of July 2009 and is currently professor at Tama Art University. Noda launched his first theatre company, Yume no Yuminsha (Dreaming Bohemian) while still a student at the University of Tokyo, creating many works to much acclaim. After disbanding Yume no Yuminsha in 1992, he went to study in London. On his return in 1993, he established a production company called Noda Map and has since then, presented a succession of major hits, including Kill, Pandora no kane (Pandora's Bell), Oil, Akaoni (Red Demon), The Bee, The Diver, Piper, The Character, and To the South.
In collaboration with the Kabuki actor Kanzaburo Nakamura, he has adapted Kabuki plays and directed productions such as Togitatsu no utare (Togitatsu's Revenge), Nezumikozo (Mouse Thief), and Aida-hime (Princess Aida) in a so-called Noda-style Kabuki. Noda continues to be active as a standard bearer of contemporary theatre in Japan and also is actively involved in international productions, working with Thai and British actors. He has won most of the major drama awards in Japan, and was awarded the 2009 Asahi Prize. He was appointed an Honorary Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in October 2009 and a Medal with Purple Ribbon in June 2011.
|