The Kabukiza Theatre, a Tokyo landmark and the mecca of the traditional performance art, will soon vanish to be replaced by a new office-theater complex despite pleas from architects to preserve the building.
Shochiku Co. announced this week it will end kabuki performances at the current building in Ginza in April 2010.
"Sayonara shows" will be held from next January to April 2010, after which kabuki will continue at the Enbujo theater in Shinbashi during the construction period, which has not yet been decided.