Starring Shota Takasaki, Ryo Takizawa and more: Where Rakugo and Music Intersect — 'Shibai Rakugo EDO GROOVE - Toki no Ma -' Tickets Now on Sale

Islands Inc.'s Comedy Practice Group vol.6 "Shibai Rakugo EDO GROOVE - Toki no Ma -" will be held from Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Tickets are currently on sale at Confetti (Operated by Longrun Planning Inc., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Hiroyoshi Kurematsu).

Tickets now on sale at Confetti

Official Website

We will be performing a new stage play, "Shibai Rakugo EDO GROOVE - Toki no Ma -," which depicts a single story based on five classic Rakugo masterpieces: "Sokotsu Nagaya," "Motoinu," "Tokisoba," "Bakemono Tsukai," and "Zorozoro." Set in an Edo-period tenement house (nagaya), familiar characters like Hachigoro, Kumagoro, and the old man (Goinkyo) spin a tale spanning over a decade. Going beyond the framework of a single Rakugo story, the characters' timelines intersect, vividly bringing the Edo landscape to life as a unified narrative.

The script and direction are by Tetsuro Takahira, who masterfully manipulates Rakugo and music. Under the jazz and pops echoing through the Edo nagaya, it is a new "Shibai Rakugo" (Theatrical Rakugo) where acting and music resonate with each other. The cast features the most energetic young actors of today, including Shota Takasaki and Ryo Takizawa. Having shown their presence on stage and screen, they take on a new challenge with this work. Furthermore, with a formidable lineup of veterans covering the theatrical, musical, and Rakugo worlds—such as Yoji Matsuda, Takeko Kitamura, and Sanpei Hayashiya—an ensemble transcending generations and genres has been realized.

Cast Profiles

★ Zenitsu Hashimoto: Shows his presence in the stage play "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" series and various genres of theater, and is active in diverse works, including starring in the movie "Kizu."

★ Shota Takasaki: After debuting in the 2008 "Musical The Prince of Tennis," he has been active in the "Osomatsu-san on STAGE ~SIX MEN’S SHOW TIME~" series (starring as Osomatsu Matsuno) and the "Ensemble Stars! THE STAGE" series. He also plans, operates, and appears on his own YouTube channel "Yusho NEET Channel" and serves as a cultural and performing arts ambassador for Seiro Town, Niigata Prefecture.

★ Ryo Takizawa: Began his entertainment career in the Shiki Theatre Company's "The Lion King" (as Young Simba). In addition to the stage play "Cyborg 009" (as 0010/Plus, Shiki) and "Kamen Rider Gavv" (as Nielb Stomach), he is expanding his field of activity as an artist, digitally releasing his 2nd album "TRANSFORMATION."

★ Allen Kohatsu: Garnering attention for his roles as Jakurai Jinguji in the stage play "Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rule the Stage" series, Yuta in the stage play "Let's Go on the Star Train," his appearance in the "Tamasaburo Bando Special Performance," Rayne Ames in "MASHLE THE STAGE," and Adam in "SK8 the Infinity The Stage."

★ Takeru Naya: Belongs to the theater company Patch. His recent main appearances include Salme Company's 11th performance "Children of the Water," the musical "Twelve Angry Men," and Gekidan Ichigekiya Tokyo Branch's "BABEL." He is scheduled to appear in the stage play "HiGH&LOW THE SENGOKU Gaiden" in July and has a well-established reputation for his acting.

★ Yota Omi: Debuted in the 2019 stage play "OZMAFIA!! sink into oblivion" and gained attention in the stage play "RICE on STAGE 'Love Rice'." He is currently active in notable works such as the stage play "RICE on STAGE 'Love Rice'," "Jewel Stage 'On Air!'," "The Vampire Dies in No Time," "Tokyo Revengers," and the musical "Romeo's Blue Skies."

★ Kodai Kurihara: Garnering attention for his roles as Tatsumi in the stage play "Therapy Game," Hikaru Amane in the "Musical The Prince of Tennis" 4th Season Seigaku vs Rokkaku, and Lawrence Bluewer in the "Musical Black Butler ~The Secret of Public School 2024~."

★ Kensuke Matsuoka: Active as Jiro Yamada in the stage play "Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rule the Stage" series and Hikaru Zaizen in the "Musical The Prince of Tennis" 4th Season Seigaku vs Shitenhoji.

The above 8 members form "THE NAGAYA 4" and will run around the Edo nagaya in daily alternating performances as Team A and Team B!

The stage play "Shibai Rakugo EDO GROOVE - Toki no Ma -" is a performance where the time flowing in Edo breathes in modern bodies.

Please look forward to it!!

Performance Overview

"Shibai Rakugo EDO GROOVE - Toki no Ma -"

Performance Period: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Sunday, May 17, 2026

Venue: Theater Alpha Tokyo (3-24-7 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

■ Cast

Yoji Matsuda
Takeko Kitamura
Zenitsu Hashimoto
Shota Takasaki
Ryo Takizawa
Allen Kohatsu
Takeru Naya
Yota Omi
Kodai Kurihara
Kensuke Matsuoka
Sanpei Hayashiya

■ Staff

Script and Direction