A scene of poetry and music: ‘Elektra’ 2026-2027 Japan

• December 13, 2026
  Event date:
• January 17, 2027
  Event end:

What to expect in 2026-2027

A Scene of Poetry and Music: Elektra is a new Japanese stage production inspired by the ancient Greek tragedy “Elektra,” bringing together dramatic theatre, poetry, music, movement and visual storytelling. Directed by Tamiya Kuriyama, with lyrics by Ako Takahashi and music by Brandon Lee, the production examines the destructive cycle connecting revenge, justice, family, war and violence.

The production stars Rio Asumi as Elektra and Midori Kimura as Clytemnestra, with Akiyoshi Nakao as Orestes, So Watanabe as Pylades, Satoshi Tokushige as Aegisthus and Erika Toyohara as Cassandra. Atsushi Yamanishi appears as the Drunkard and Leader of the Chorus, while Tetsuro Ishibashi has joined the cast as Menelaus. A larger supporting ensemble completes the production.

Rather than presenting the Greek tragedy as a conventional historical drama, Kuriyama’s production uses words and music to create what the production calls a new theatrical space. Dialogue, melody, silence, cries, physical movement and breathing are brought together to place the audience inside the emotional world of the characters.

At the centre of the story is Elektra, a daughter consumed by the desire to avenge her father Agamemnon, who was killed by her mother Clytemnestra. Clytemnestra herself believes she acted according to her own understanding of justice, creating a conflict in which both mother and daughter see themselves as justified.

The production therefore looks beyond a simple revenge story. It asks what happens when different forms of “justice” become weapons against other people. The official production describes the work as a large-scale epic addressing the question of what justice means in a world where war, division and violence continue to occur.

The production begins its Tokyo run at the newly opened Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater in Yaesu before travelling to Nagoya and Osaka in January 2027. The Tokyo theatre opened in 2026 as part of the TOFROM YAESU TOWER complex and has 806 seats across its first and second levels.

Event dates

Tokyo performance period

The Tokyo run takes place from December 13 through December 30, 2026, at Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater in Yaesu, Tokyo. The engagement contains multiple afternoon and evening performances rather than a performance every day.

Aichi performances

The production moves to Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Civic Hall Village Hall in Nagoya on January 16 and 17, 2027. The confirmed performances begin at 4:30 PM on January 16 and 12:00 PM on January 17. Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes before each performance.

Osaka performances

The final announced performances take place at Umeda Arts Theater Theatre Drama City on January 21 and 22, 2027. The January 21 performance begins at 5:00 PM, while January 22 has performances at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Overall tour period

The complete currently announced engagement therefore runs from December 13, 2026, through January 22, 2027, covering Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

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Venue & performance locations

Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater

The Tokyo production is staged at Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater, located at 1-6-1 Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo, inside TOFROM YAESU TOWER. The theatre occupies the third through fifth floors of the complex.

The theatre has 806 seats, consisting of 593 seats on the first level and 213 seats on the second level. It was developed as a dedicated theatre space for plays, musicals and live performances and forms part of the new Yaesu theatre and conference complex.

Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Civic Hall Village Hall

The Nagoya performances take place at Village Hall, part of Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Civic Hall, at 1-5-1 Kanayama, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi. The venue is directly connected to Kanayama’s subway network and is approximately five minutes from JR Kanayama Station.

The civic hall provides accessibility facilities including wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, elevators, wheelchair-accessible elevators and priority parking spaces.

Umeda Arts Theater Theatre Drama City

The Osaka performances are presented at Theatre Drama City, located at 19-1 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka, in the basement level of the Umeda Arts Theater complex.

The venue is positioned in the heart of the Umeda and Chayamachi entertainment district, making it convenient for visitors combining the performance with shopping, dining and sightseeing in central Osaka.

Full programme

Greek tragedy as the foundation

A Scene of Poetry and Music: Elektra takes the Greek tragedy “Elektra” as its original source, drawing on the dramatic tradition associated with Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. The Japanese production has been adapted by Shoichiro Iwakiri for this new stage interpretation.

Elektra’s revenge

Elektra is consumed by the desire to avenge the death of her father. Her mother, Clytemnestra, is responsible for Agamemnon’s death, creating the central conflict between parent and child.

Clytemnestra’s justice

Clytemnestra is not presented simply as an antagonist. The production explores her own reasons for killing her husband and the pain and anger associated with the loss of her daughter. Her understanding of justice becomes one of the forces driving the family conflict.

Orestes and the burden of fate

Elektra’s brother Orestes is caught between the demands of prophecy and the moral consequences of killing his mother. His story adds another dimension to the production’s exploration of justice, duty and personal responsibility.

Cassandra’s prophecy

Cassandra, the Trojan princess, brings a prophetic dimension to the story. Her visions of a catastrophic future connect the family’s personal tragedy with the wider atmosphere of war and destruction.

Poetry and music

The production is designed around an interaction between spoken language and music rather than using music merely as background accompaniment. Brandon Lee’s original music and Ako Takahashi’s lyrics form an integral part of the dramatic environment.

Featured productions & performers

Rio Asumi as Elektra

Rio Asumi takes the title role of Elektra. A former top star of the Flower Troupe of the Takarazuka Revue, Asumi has continued working across theatre and screen productions following her departure from Takarazuka. The production places her at the centre of its emotional conflict as a daughter consumed by the desire for revenge.

Midori Kimura as Clytemnestra

Midori Kimura plays Clytemnestra, Elektra’s mother. Her character carries both the responsibility for Agamemnon’s death and her own understanding of why that act was justified. The role provides the production with a direct dramatic counterpoint to Elektra.

Akiyoshi Nakao as Orestes

Akiyoshi Nakao plays Orestes, Elektra’s brother. His character is caught between divine instruction and the consequences of committing matricide, making him central to the production’s exploration of duty and guilt.

So Watanabe as Pylades

So Watanabe appears as Pylades, Orestes’ cousin and companion. Pylades accompanies Orestes through the difficult events surrounding the family’s fate.

Satoshi Tokushige as Aegisthus

Satoshi Tokushige plays Aegisthus, Clytemnestra’s lover and the man who helps her kill Agamemnon and take the throne.

Erika Toyohara as Cassandra

Erika Toyohara plays Cassandra, the Trojan princess whose prophetic voice adds an ominous perspective to the unfolding tragedy. The production specifically highlights Toyohara’s singing ability and mysterious stage presence.

Atsushi Yamanishi and Tetsuro Ishibashi

Atsushi Yamanishi appears as the Drunkard and Leader of the Chorus, while Tetsuro Ishibashi plays Menelaus and also participates in the chorus. The supporting ensemble includes Kazuya Tawara, Shun Kamijo, Emi Kuriyama, Misaki Machiya, Haruna Minato, Natsumi Motoe, Takeshi Yasufuku and Ulrich Musashi.

Shows & performances

The main Elektra production

Every performance on the Tokyo, Aichi and Osaka tour presents the same core theatrical production. It combines the dramatic structure of Greek tragedy with original music, poetry, physical performance and contemporary stage design.

Dialogue and melody

Spoken dialogue and musical passages are deliberately interwoven. The production is built around the tension between words and melody, as well as between silence and cries.

Chorus and ensemble work

The chorus is an important element of the Greek tragic tradition and is represented in the production through Atsushi Yamanishi and the wider supporting cast. The ensemble helps connect the personal family conflict with the larger themes of war, violence and society.

Visual and physical theatre

The production team includes dedicated designers for scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup and video. Choreography is by Tomoko Tainaka, while Hiroki Ueda is responsible for video, creating a theatrical environment that extends beyond conventional dialogue-based drama.

Performance schedule

Tokyo

The Tokyo engagement runs from December 13 through December 30, 2026. Confirmed examples include two performances on the opening day, December 13, at 12:30 PM and 5:30 PM. December 15 has performances at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, while December 16 has a 1:00 PM matinee. December 17 has 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM performances, followed by a 1:00 PM performance on December 18.

Further Tokyo performances continue through the final date of December 30, with the published schedule including both daytime and evening performances. Some dates have more than one performance, while other dates have no performance. The exact schedule should be checked against the official ticket calendar when selecting seats.

Aichi

January 16, 2027 – 4:30 PM
January 17, 2027 – 12:00 PM

The Nagoya venue states that doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Osaka

January 21, 2027 – 5:00 PM
January 22, 2027 – 12:00 PM
January 22, 2027 – 5:00 PM

The January 22 performances provide two opportunities to see the production on its final announced day.

The organizers note that the schedule and performers can change when unavoidable circumstances arise. Visitors should confirm their selected performance shortly before attending.

Ticket types

Standard reserved seat

The standard ticket is a reserved seat priced at approximately $92 USD. The official price is $14,500 in the original ticket currency, converted here to USD for reference.

U-25 ticket

The U-25 ticket is approximately $47 USD and is available as a same-day exchange ticket for audience members aged 25 or younger on the day of their performance. Identification is required. Some U-25 seats may have partially restricted views.

Y Seat

The Y Seat is approximately $13 USD and is designed for customers aged 20 or younger on the performance day. It is a same-day exchange ticket and requires identification. Some seats may have restricted visibility of part of the stage. This category is handled through Horipro Stage.

Aichi and Osaka tickets

The Aichi and Osaka performances use the standard reserved-seat format, with the announced Osaka price also approximately $92 USD.

Ticket release & booking

Tokyo general sale

Tokyo general ticket sales began on September 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM through Horipro Stage. Earlier lottery and advance sales were held in July and August.

Aichi general sale

General sales for the Nagoya performances begin October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

Osaka general sale

General sales for Osaka begin November 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The Osaka ticketing system allows seat selection during the general-sale period.

Official resale

Official resale is available for the Tokyo performances through the authorized Ticket Plus Trade system. This provides an official alternative for customers who can no longer attend rather than relying on unauthorized ticket transfers.

VIP & premium seating

Premium Pia seating

Ticket Pia offered premium advance opportunities for the Tokyo production, including an advance category guaranteeing seats within the first K row on the first floor. A special Pia-reserved performance was also offered during the Tokyo run.

Special performance event

The December 20, 2026, 12:30 PM performance is a Horipro Stage members’ reserved performance. It includes an approximately 15-minute after-talk following the performance, with speakers announced separately, and attendees receive a commemorative sticker.

There is no publicly announced VIP package including backstage access, a formal meet-and-greet or hospitality lounge. The premium opportunities are primarily connected with preferred seating and special performances.

Event rules

Age restriction

Preschool children are not permitted to enter the performance. This applies throughout the tour.

Ticket resale

Tickets are treated as specified entertainment admission tickets under Japan’s law prohibiting unauthorized ticket resale. Commercial resale and purchasing tickets that have been resold at inflated prices are prohibited. Tickets involved in unauthorized resale or improper purchases may be invalidated and admission may be refused.

Refunds

Tickets generally cannot be refunded or exchanged for another performance except when the performance itself is cancelled. Customers should therefore check their selected date carefully before purchasing.

Schedule changes

Cast members and performance schedules may change because of unavoidable circumstances. The latest official information should be checked before travelling to the theatre.

How to get there

Tokyo

Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater is located at 1-6-1 Yaesu in TOFROM YAESU TOWER. The theatre is directly connected to JR Tokyo Station through the Yaesu underground area, making rail travel particularly convenient.

Nagoya

Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Civic Hall Village Hall is at 1-5-1 Kanayama, Naka-ku, Nagoya. Kanayama Station is the main access point, with the subway connection approximately one minute away through the underground passage and JR and Meitetsu stations approximately five minutes on foot.

Osaka

Theatre Drama City is located at 19-1 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka. It is approximately three minutes from Osaka-Umeda Station via the Chayamachi Exit, five minutes from Nakatsu Station and five minutes from Umeda Station. JR Osaka Station is approximately eight minutes away on foot.

Public transport & parking

Tokyo

Public transportation is recommended for the Tokyo performance because the theatre is directly connected to Tokyo Station. Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi Line also connects to Tokyo Station through the Yaesu underground area, while Nihombashi Station is approximately three minutes away and Mitsukoshimae Station approximately six minutes away.

Nagoya

Kanayama is one of Nagoya’s major transport hubs, served by subway, JR and Meitetsu services. The venue is exceptionally close to the station, making rail travel the easiest option. The civic hall also has vehicle-access facilities and priority parking spaces.

Osaka

Theatre Drama City is surrounded by multiple rail and subway options. Visitors can use Hankyu Osaka-Umeda, Osaka Metro Umeda or Nakatsu, JR Osaka, Hanshin Osaka-Umeda or other central Osaka connections.

For all three venues, visitors travelling during busy winter periods should allow additional time for station navigation and theatre entry.

Accommodation areas

Tokyo Station and Yaesu

This is the most convenient area for the Tokyo performance. Staying around Tokyo Station places visitors within easy walking distance of the theatre and provides direct rail connections to other parts of the city.

Nihombashi and Ginza

Nihombashi and Ginza provide a broad range of hotels, restaurants and shopping, while remaining close to the Yaesu theatre.

Kanayama

For the Nagoya performance, Kanayama is the most convenient accommodation area because the venue is located immediately beside the station. It also offers easy connections to Nagoya Station and other city districts.

Sakae

Sakae is another useful Nagoya base for visitors who want restaurants, shopping and nightlife alongside convenient subway connections to Kanayama.

Umeda

Visitors attending the Osaka performances can stay around Umeda or Osaka Station, placing them close to Theatre Drama City and surrounded by major restaurants, department stores and shopping centres.

Namba

Namba provides another popular Osaka base, especially for visitors combining the performance with sightseeing and dining. It has extensive subway connections to the Umeda area.

Dining & refreshments

Tokyo

The Yaesu and Tokyo Station districts contain extensive dining facilities ranging from Japanese restaurants to cafés, department-store dining floors and international restaurants. Visitors attending afternoon performances can eat before the show, while evening audiences can choose from restaurants around Yaesu after the performance.

Nagoya

Kanayama offers restaurants and cafés around the station and civic hall. Visitors can also travel into Sakae or central Nagoya for a larger selection of dining options.

Osaka

Chayamachi and Umeda are among Osaka’s busiest commercial and dining districts. Visitors can choose from restaurants inside major commercial complexes, casual dining venues and Japanese restaurants within a short walk of Theatre Drama City.

Because the performance combines spoken drama, music and concentrated theatrical sequences, arriving early and eating before entering the theatre can make the experience more comfortable.

Accessibility

Tokyo Tatemono Pia Theater is part of a modern theatre complex with direct access from Tokyo Station. Visitors requiring wheelchair seating should contact the Horipro Ticket Center at least one week before their performance. Wheelchair spaces are limited and should be confirmed before purchasing tickets.

Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Civic Hall has wheelchair-accessible spectator spaces, wheelchair-accessible toilets, elevators, wheelchair-accessible elevators, tactile and audio guidance and priority parking spaces.

The Osaka venue is centrally located near several major stations, reducing the amount of walking required from public transportation. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact the theatre before attending to confirm the available arrangements.

Best performances to attend

Tokyo opening performance

December 13 is the opening day of the Tokyo run and includes both a 12:30 PM matinee and a 5:30 PM evening performance. The opening date provides an opportunity to experience the production at the start of its first announced engagement.

Tokyo special after-talk performance

The December 20, 12:30 PM performance is particularly notable because it includes an after-talk of approximately 15 minutes for Horipro Stage members, together with a commemorative sticker for attendees.

Nagoya opening

The January 16, 4:30 PM performance is the first Aichi presentation and provides the opening opportunity for the Nagoya leg of the tour.

Osaka final performances

January 22 includes both a noon and 5:00 PM performance at Theatre Drama City. These are the final currently announced performances of the Japan tour, making them useful options for visitors who want to attend near the conclusion of the engagement.

Previous year’s highlights

A Scene of Poetry and Music: Elektra is a newly created production for the 2026–2027 season, so there is no previous annual edition of this exact production to use as a conventional 2025 highlight.

Its artistic foundation, however, comes from the long-established Greek tragedy “Elektra,” drawing on the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. The production has been newly adapted by Shoichiro Iwakiri rather than presented as a direct revival of a previous Japanese staging.

The production was announced in 2026 as a new work by director Tamiya Kuriyama, with Brandon Lee creating the music and Ako Takahashi writing the lyrics. The production team also includes Satoshi Takeuchi as music director, Shusaku Futamura for set design, Atsushi Ozawa for lighting, Koichi Yamamoto for sound, Fumiko Maeda for costumes and Daiki Ueda for video.

The production’s development therefore represents a new interpretation of the Elektra story rather than the continuation of an established annual event. Its 2026 Tokyo premiere is followed by the first announced touring presentations in Nagoya and Osaka in January 2027.

Official tickets

Official tickets are available through Ticket Pia, Horipro Stage and the other authorized ticket agencies listed by the production.

https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventBundleCd=b2669927

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