A Night at the Kabuki – Sadlers Wells

The description of Hideki Noda’s ‘A Night at the Kabuki’ sets the tone for the production itself. The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, taking place at the dawn of the Samurai in late 12th Century Japan, set to the music from Queen’s A Night at the Opera. It’s chaotic, colourful and exciting – a bizarre clashing of cultures which shouldn’t work on paper but culminates in a thrilling and utterly enthralling sensory overload of an evening.

Of course, it isn’t quite that simple – no giving the game away here but the audience is invited to join older and wiser star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet as they journey back to their younger selves to see if they can rewrite their own tragic love story. The production is performed with subtitles, but dialogue is used sparingly, instead favouring energetic, bold portrayals from a stupendously talented cast and some of the best designed costumes I’ve seen on stage anywhere to date. Kodue Hibino, the show’s Costume Designer, gives the Minamoto (Montague) and Taira (Capulet) clans distinctive personalities, with the Minamotos chiefly dour and understated in simple but beautiful blues and greys while the Tairas – who champion hedonism and wealth – are almost cartoonishly bold in bright reds and golds.  

In contrast, the staging is monochrome – white levels against a white back drop with revolving black and white doors surrounding the action to create entrances and exits. If this sounds basic then the affect is anything but. Add a few white beds on wheels into the mix and we are transported from palaces to mortuaries to the mountains to distant islands. Every inch of space is utilised, and it feels like each individual movement is perfectly choreographed such that sometimes the full ensemble moves as one entity. Old and young Romeo and Juliet navigate around each other seamlessly, at times bringing an almost dance-like quality to the show. At times the action is frenetic and at others melodious and slow – and the audience was rapt throughout – but this brings me to my one and only criticism, which pains me as I had an otherwise perfect evening.

A huge selling point for me was the inclusion of music from Queen. I wasn’t expecting We Will Rock you but realised to my surprise very early on that there was no orchestra, or indeed any musicians. The musical score is minimal, with snippets of ‘You’re My Best Friend’ or ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ played through a speaker. At times this was subtle, and sometimes very loud, but rather than being intentional it felt almost like my dad trying and failing to get the volume right on our stereo back in the 90s. I wanted the music to be a bigger part of the production and felt disappointed that it wasn’t.

That said, I maintain that I saw something very special last night – a rare, unique treat that will stay with me for a long time. In ‘A Night at the Kabuki’, Hideki Noda has created something that is completely audience centric. It’s loud and incredibly funny – on a number of levels, jokes within the play, jokes with the audience, slapstick physical theatre – but also as tragic as the bard’s original work and strangely touching. It will take you in directions that you weren’t expecting but it’s an absolute treat of a ride. The show closes in London today (24 September) and I’d urge anyone who was just planning on sitting in with Strictly this weekend to see if they can grab a ticket immediately – you won’t be disappointed that you did. https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/a-night-at-the-kabuki/

Reviewer: Zoё Meeres

Reviewed: 22nd September 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★