Mogio Kiyoshi's 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' Revived by Gekidan Ensoubutai with New Cast After 4 Years
Key facts
- Mogio Kiyoshi's 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' Revived by Gekidan Ensoubutai with New Cast After 4 Years
- The acclaimed wartime drama 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' by playwright Mogio Kiyoshi returns for its sixth revival in four years, presented by Gekidan Ensoubutai with a completely renewed cast and new direction by Seitaro Asai. Performances run from July 23 to 26, 2026, at Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA in Tokyo.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 18, 2026
Direct answer
The acclaimed wartime drama 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' by playwright Mogio Kiyoshi returns for its sixth revival in four years, presented by Gekidan Ensoubutai with a completely renewed cast and new direction by Seitaro Asai. Performances run from July 23 to 26, 2026, at Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA in Tokyo.
- Citation
- Mogio Kiyoshi's 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' Revived by Gekidan Ensoubutai with New Cast After 4 Years (June 18, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 18, 2026
The acclaimed wartime drama 'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' by playwright Mogio Kiyoshi returns for its sixth revival in four years, presented by Gekidan Ensoubutai with a completely renewed cast and new direction by Seitaro Asai. Performances run from July 23 to 26, 2026, at Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA in Tokyo.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 18, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 18, 2026 at 10:18
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 19, 2026 at 08:59 (22h 41m after Collected)
'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present' will be performed from Thursday, July 23, 2026, to Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA (1-10-2 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).
Tickets are currently on sale via Confetti (operated by Longrun Planning Co., Ltd., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Daigo Kuriomatsu).
Ticket purchase link:
Official website
https://www.g-ensoubutai.com/performance
Since its premiere in 1976, 'Taiko' has been a treasured masterpiece carefully nurtured by Gekidan Ensoubutai for over half a century. This marks its sixth revival, the first in four years.
A raw and unfiltered portrayal of 'war' by wartime playwright Mogio Kiyoshi. This revival features a new adaptation by Seitaro Asai, a completely renewed cast, and the troupe's signature use of live sound and lighting effects. Together with the audience, a new interpretation of 'Taiko' will be created.
Experience the overwhelming presence unique to the atelier space. Immerse yourself in the ensemble of words and sound within the theater.
Synopsis
Tonight, a boy soldier steps onto the battlefield for the first time.
A pitch-black sky with no stars. Silence.
From somewhere in the darkness, the sound of a distant drum reaches his ears as he stands on the front lines as a sentry.
Performance Overview
'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present'
Performance Period: July 23 (Thu) – July 26 (Sun), 2026
Venue: Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA (1-10-2 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
■ Cast
Shun Satake, Koji Suzuki, Takayoshi Morita, Yui Futagami, Satoko Kishi
[Music] THE★ENSOU BUTAI (Seitaro Asai, Sumi Ikeda)
■ Staff
Playwright: Mogio Kiyoshi
Adaptation, Direction, Music: Seitaro Asai
Assistant Director: Sumi Ikeda
Lighting Design, Stage Art: Satoru Yoshibaya
Costumes: Yui Futagami
Props: Takayoshi Morita
Lighting & Sound: Starlight.sound
Stage Manager: Shun Satake
Planning & Production: Gekidan Ensoubutai
Cooperation: Engeki Ouen | Freebeat
Organizer: The General Incorporated Association Gekidan Ensoubutai
■ Performance Schedule
July 23 (Thu): 19:00
July 24 (Fri): 19:00
July 25 (Sat): 14:00 / 18:00
July 26 (Sun): 14:00
※ Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
※ Performance duration: up to 2 hours (no intermission)
■ Ticket Prices
General: ¥3,000
Student: ¥2,500 (student ID required)
(All seats unreserved, tax included)
About Gekidan Ensoubutai
Founded in June 1973 by Takeshi Kubota, who was then a member (and later leader) of 'Gekidan Enza,' part of the 'Gisho-za' theater company led by playwright Juro Mita.
The troupe pioneered a rare theatrical style at the time—performing music and sound effects live on stage using real instruments (a rock band). They have presented original plays as well as acclaimed modern dramas by contemporary playwrights.
Their modern adaptations of Japanese classical theater (Chikamatsu plays, Noh and Kyogen) have been praised as 'a new art form that evolves and inherits Japanese tradition,' and the troupe deeply feels its responsibility to pass history and culture on to future generations.
The powerful combination of immersive live sound and authentic acting unique to Ensoubutai has received high praise from audiences, with comments such as 'I was drawn into the intense dialogue and expressive live music' and 'I was completely immersed in the fantastical theatrical world.'
In 2007, Seitaro Asai became the troupe's leader. In 2011, they transformed their rehearsal space into a permanent venue: 'Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA.' By meticulously crafting every detail from the rehearsal phase, they create an unparalleled sense of presence and focus on deeper integration of performers, music, lighting, space, and audience—something not possible in external theaters.
An overwhelming sense of presence and dynamism, woven from live music, words, movement, and stage art. Through their unique expression called 'Ensoubutai'—neither a musical nor a music drama—they deliver a 'new theatrical experience' to audiences.
Ticket Platform 'Confetti'
Ticket purchase process and Confetti member benefits
https://service.confetti-web.com
Tickets are currently on sale via Confetti (operated by Longrun Planning Co., Ltd., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Daigo Kuriomatsu).
Ticket purchase link:
Official website
https://www.g-ensoubutai.com/performance
Since its premiere in 1976, 'Taiko' has been a treasured masterpiece carefully nurtured by Gekidan Ensoubutai for over half a century. This marks its sixth revival, the first in four years.
A raw and unfiltered portrayal of 'war' by wartime playwright Mogio Kiyoshi. This revival features a new adaptation by Seitaro Asai, a completely renewed cast, and the troupe's signature use of live sound and lighting effects. Together with the audience, a new interpretation of 'Taiko' will be created.
Experience the overwhelming presence unique to the atelier space. Immerse yourself in the ensemble of words and sound within the theater.
Synopsis
Tonight, a boy soldier steps onto the battlefield for the first time.
A pitch-black sky with no stars. Silence.
From somewhere in the darkness, the sound of a distant drum reaches his ears as he stands on the front lines as a sentry.
Performance Overview
'Taiko: I Wanted to Live in the Present'
Performance Period: July 23 (Thu) – July 26 (Sun), 2026
Venue: Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA (1-10-2 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
■ Cast
Shun Satake, Koji Suzuki, Takayoshi Morita, Yui Futagami, Satoko Kishi
[Music] THE★ENSOU BUTAI (Seitaro Asai, Sumi Ikeda)
■ Staff
Playwright: Mogio Kiyoshi
Adaptation, Direction, Music: Seitaro Asai
Assistant Director: Sumi Ikeda
Lighting Design, Stage Art: Satoru Yoshibaya
Costumes: Yui Futagami
Props: Takayoshi Morita
Lighting & Sound: Starlight.sound
Stage Manager: Shun Satake
Planning & Production: Gekidan Ensoubutai
Cooperation: Engeki Ouen | Freebeat
Organizer: The General Incorporated Association Gekidan Ensoubutai
■ Performance Schedule
July 23 (Thu): 19:00
July 24 (Fri): 19:00
July 25 (Sat): 14:00 / 18:00
July 26 (Sun): 14:00
※ Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
※ Performance duration: up to 2 hours (no intermission)
■ Ticket Prices
General: ¥3,000
Student: ¥2,500 (student ID required)
(All seats unreserved, tax included)
About Gekidan Ensoubutai
Founded in June 1973 by Takeshi Kubota, who was then a member (and later leader) of 'Gekidan Enza,' part of the 'Gisho-za' theater company led by playwright Juro Mita.
The troupe pioneered a rare theatrical style at the time—performing music and sound effects live on stage using real instruments (a rock band). They have presented original plays as well as acclaimed modern dramas by contemporary playwrights.
Their modern adaptations of Japanese classical theater (Chikamatsu plays, Noh and Kyogen) have been praised as 'a new art form that evolves and inherits Japanese tradition,' and the troupe deeply feels its responsibility to pass history and culture on to future generations.
The powerful combination of immersive live sound and authentic acting unique to Ensoubutai has received high praise from audiences, with comments such as 'I was drawn into the intense dialogue and expressive live music' and 'I was completely immersed in the fantastical theatrical world.'
In 2007, Seitaro Asai became the troupe's leader. In 2011, they transformed their rehearsal space into a permanent venue: 'Ensoubutai Atelier / Kudanshita GEKIBA.' By meticulously crafting every detail from the rehearsal phase, they create an unparalleled sense of presence and focus on deeper integration of performers, music, lighting, space, and audience—something not possible in external theaters.
An overwhelming sense of presence and dynamism, woven from live music, words, movement, and stage art. Through their unique expression called 'Ensoubutai'—neither a musical nor a music drama—they deliver a 'new theatrical experience' to audiences.
Ticket Platform 'Confetti'
Ticket purchase process and Confetti member benefits
https://service.confetti-web.com
FAQ
Who wrote the original play 'Taiko'?
Written by wartime playwright Mogio Kiyoshi. First performed in 1976, it has been staged for over half a century.
What is unique about Gekidan Ensoubutai?
They perform live music on stage with a rock band, creating immersive experiences blending sound, light, space, and audience.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available on Confetti, operated by Longrun Planning Co., Ltd.