For a glimpse of the future of kabuki, make your way this month not to the Kabukiza (where contemporary drama superstar Hideki Noda is reigning supreme, see article below) but to the National Theater, Tokyo.
The theater is presenting a special four-hour kabuki program in the small auditorium, Aug. 21-24 (twice daily, starting at noon and 5 p.m.). Comprising two famous plays and a seasonal dance number, the program is performed by 25 members of the Chigyo-no-kai and 12 members of the Kabuki-kai.
The Chigyo-no-kai -- literally "the society of inexperienced fish" -- is a group of 86 actors who have completed the initial course of kabuki training offered by the Department for the Training of Kabuki Performers at the National Theater. The Kabuki-kai is for those actors who have entered the profession by other routes.