Welcome to Studio Life's English Page
What's on at the moment?
Currently we are very busy preparing for our Korean tour later this month.
Our tour in Korea this winter features our own versions of the Shakespeare classics 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Twelfth Night'. These productions have been enormously successful in Japan and have recently been upgraded for presentation to a Korean audience.
Studio Life look forward to performing in Seoul, South Korea on 18, 19, and 20th November 2011. See this page for details.
Who are Studio Life?
Studio Life are a male theatre group based in Tokyo, and this year we are celebrating our 26th anniversary. Our repertoire varies from traditional, classic pieces (sometimes with a modern twist) and contemporary plays (we are well-known in Japan for our Manga adaptations, for instance).
Our recent sell-out production, 'Phantom - The Untold Story', was a significant milestone in our 26 year history as it involved an artistic collaboration with internationally renowned Set Designer, Matt Kinley.
We are working hard to premiere our follow-up production next year with 'Phantom Part 2 - The Kiss of Christine'. Meanwhile, we are also building up to an international tour in celebration of our 30th anniversary in 2015, which will include performances in Asia and Europe.
Key Figures
Producer - Kawauchi Kiichiro
Born in Tokyo, Kiichiro emerged as a young talent while studying at the Bungakuza Theatre Institute. Kiichiro was an active member of the Yen Theatre Group until he left in 1985 to establish Studio Life. Since then he has successfully led and developed Studio Life from its humble roots to its current professional standing, including leading the establishment of the company's own studio theatre (The West End Studio) in Tokyo in 1992.
Kiichiro is also the cornerstone producer of a successful shadow puppet theatre company; a passionate actor; and a respected educator in his field.
Artistic Director - Kurata Jun
Born in Tokyo, Jun studied with Akutagawa Hiroshi at the Theatre Yen Performing Arts Institute; after which point she took on the role of Assistant Director in many renowned Akutagawa productions. Together with Kawauchi Kiichiro she co-founded the company and has worked tirelessly to develop Studio Life into the celebrated, world-class theatre company we see today.
Aside from her role as Artistic Director, Jun also works as a drama lecturer and is often called on to organise international theatre workshops in Europe and the United States.
