Sainokuni Shakespeare Series Latest Work 'King Lear' Now Playing in Saitama Until May 24! (Photos/Comments)

The Sainokuni Shakespeare Series 2nd Vol.3 'King Lear' premiered on May 5, 2026 (Tuesday holiday). Stage photos and comments from Kotaro Yoshida, Tatsuya Fujiwara, and Satomi Ishihara have arrived for the opening. The Saitama performances will run until May 24 (Sunday), followed by a tour with performances in Miyagi, Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okayama.

(Photography: Maiko Miyakawa)

King Lear: Kotaro Yoshida

From stage photos

Sainokuni Shakespeare Series Latest Work! Directed by Keishi Nagatsuka × Starring Kotaro Yoshida 'King Lear'

The curtain has finally risen on 'King Lear,' one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, praised as his masterpiece, and the third installment of the 'Sainokuni Shakespeare Series 2nd,' newly launched by Kotaro Yoshida in May 2024.

Kotaro Yoshida, the artistic director of this series, takes on the title role. The production is directed by Keishi Nagatsuka, whom Yoshida deeply trusts. This is Nagatsuka's second time tackling a Shakespearean work, following 'Macbeth' in 2013. Utilizing his perspective as a playwright, he presents a new interpretation of 'King Lear.'

This marks Yoshida's first leading role in a Shakespearean work in nine years. In the previous series, he starred in 'Titus Andronicus' in 2004, followed by 'Othello' in 2007, 'Antony and Cleopatra' in 2011, and 'Henry IV' in 2013. In 'Timon of Athens' in 2017, he took over the artistic directorship baton from Yukio Ninagawa and concurrently served as director and lead actor.

The cast challenging this production alongside Yoshida is also a gathering of elite actors. Tatsuya Fujiwara, who left a vivid impression in 'Macbeth' in 2025, plays Edgar, who is banished by his half-brother's conspiracy. Satomi Ishihara, who played the heroine in the previous series 'All's Well That Ends Well,' takes on the challenging role of Goneril, the eldest daughter. Izumi Matsuoka plays Regan, Hiroshi Yazaki plays the illegitimate son Edmund, Mitsuki Yoshida plays the youngest daughter Cordelia, Keiya Kinouchi plays the loyal Earl of Kent, and Atsushi Yamanishi plays the equally loyal Earl of Gloucester, bringing together a formidable lineup from the theatre world.

The 'King Lear' created by the tag team of Kotaro Yoshida and Keishi Nagatsuka has opened a new chapter in the series' history.

King Lear: Kotaro Yoshida

Edgar: Tatsuya Fujiwara

Stage photo

Left: King Lear - Kotaro Yoshida, Right: Edgar - Tatsuya Fujiwara

Left: Edmund - Hiroshi Yazaki, Right: Earl of Gloucester - Atsushi Yamanishi Left: Cordelia - Mitsuki Yoshida, Right: Earl of Kent - Keiya Kinouchi

Left: Regan - Izumi Matsuoka, Middle: Atsushi Yamanishi From left: King Lear - Kotaro Yoshida, Earl of Kent - Keiya Kinouchi, Fool - Yuichiro Nakayama

Regan: Izumi Matsuoka

Edmund: Hiroshi Yazaki

Cordelia: Mitsuki Yoshida

Left: Goneril - Satomi Ishihara, Right: King Lear - Kotaro Yoshida

Earl of Kent: Keiya Kinouchi

Earl of Gloucester: Atsushi Yamanishi

From left: Regan - Izumi Matsuoka, Edmund - Hiroshi Yazaki, Goneril - Satomi Ishihara

From left: King Lear - Kotaro Yoshida, Earl of Kent - Keiya Kinouchi, Cordelia - Mitsuki Yoshida

From left: Regan - Izumi Matsuoka, Duke of Cornwall - Takuo Inari, King Lear - Kotaro Yoshida, Cordelia - Mitsuki Yoshida, Duke of Albany - Yuya Tanaka, Goneril - Satomi Ishihara

The Saitama performances will be held from May 5 (Tuesday holiday) to May 24 (Sunday) at the Main Hall of Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater. Afterwards, tour performances are scheduled in Miyagi, Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okayama.

Opening Comments

Director: Keishi Nagatsuka

Shakespearean plays, which I wasn't so familiar with, have no theory, so I struggled with monologues that suddenly began and got caught on every rich line. However, guided by Kotaro Yoshida's love and knowledge of Shakespeare, I was quickly drawn into the charm of 'King Lear.' The destiny of blood. The human karma seen through aging. It is a dense dialogue play rather than a spectacle. I hope you will immerse yourselves in the storm of words.

King Lear: Kotaro Yoshida

This time, I will be playing the title role for the first time in nine years, since 'Timon of Athens,' which was right after I took over the series from Mr. Yukio Ninagawa. I am full of enthusiasm. For this reason, I asked Mr. Keishi Nagatsuka, whom I deeply respect, to direct this time. The compatibility between Mr. Nagatsuka and Shakespeare is outstanding, and I believe it has turned out to be a very interesting play. I am also in very good condition to welcome the opening day.

I am confident that this is a wonderful King Lear with a different taste from previous series. Please come and witness what is happening at the theater. I look forward to seeing you at the theater.

Goneril: Satomi Ishihara

The curtain finally rises. The rehearsals, in which I participated with respect and great trust in Keishi Nagatsuka's and Kotaro Yoshida's deep interpretations and approaches, were surprisingly enjoyable, and I feel happy to be a part of this wonderful company. The seriousness shown by the actors in the recent costume rehearsal was...