Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
General supervision by Katsuhiko Hibino, President of Tokyo University of the Arts
Deaf and hearing artists interact with each other, and this process is the basis for
An original story is created and performed.
We are pleased to announce that ticket applications for the stage production "Don't be silent, move, breathe," in which deaf and hearing people encounter each other, will begin at 10:00 on Monday, September 1st .
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is being created in collaboration with deaf and hearing people since 2023 as part of the cultural program for the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which will be held in Tokyo this autumn.
This production features two towns: "Mist Town," where sign language is the language of the town, and "One Hundred Layers," where Japanese is the language of the town. The residents of the two towns do not understand each other's languages. Just like the characters, the audience can enjoy the process from their seats as they start out in a state of "not understanding" and gradually begin to communicate as they try to get to know each other.
Performance details
【title】
TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is a stage production where deaf and hearing people meet.
[Performance Date and Time]
Saturday, November 29, 2025, 15:00 Doors open 14:00 (Pre-talk from 14:45)
【venue】
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Large Hall (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
[Cast]
Abe Aiko, Iizuka Daishu, Ikeda Momoka, Ishida Michiko, Itabashi Renpei, Ueda Ai, Utoda Chiharu, Ohashi Yuta, Okumura Yasuto, Ono Kanon, Onosato Mitsuko, Kikuchi Ken, Kurashima Satoshi, Kondo Tatsuya, Sato Moe, Sano Kazumi, Takayanagi Ayumi, Tsunoda Risa, Narutsuka Motoka, Hayashi Daigo, Honma Chiemi, Mitsuhashi Raku, Murata Yuko, Moe Fumi, Yaotani Rie, Nicholas Yuyama, Yoshida Miyuki, Leo, Nishiwaki Masago.
【staff】
General Supervision: Hibino Katsuhiko Composition and Direction: Makihara Eri Direction: Shimaji Yasutake Dramaturg: Shizukukyo, Nagashima Kaku
Staging Director: Yo Nakamura Music Creation Staff: Masago Nishiwaki
Music Supervision: Fuyuko Fukunaka Set Design: Ai Harada Lighting: Ayumi Kido Music: Ryuichi Ono, Tan Igawa Sound: Raku Nakahara Stage Visuals: Satoshi Kuriyama Costumes: Kumiko Takeda Hair & Makeup: Ruu Assistant Directors: Hidetada Tashiro, Miki Nakamura, Tomoka Yamada Stage Director: Hidemine Yamaguchi
【story】
In a town surrounded by fog, a ceremony to celebrate the founding of the nation is taking place, when a man wanders into the town.
He had come through the fog from another town.
This "Mist Town" is a floating, moving town. In a world without the concept of sound, language is physical.
It has developed its own unique culture, and everything is designed to be convenient for the town's residents.
Over the years, they periodically approach the "other town," but are obscured by fog and remain unaware of each other.
A man who has wandered in is captivated by the ceremony, which is accompanied by music.
He eventually becomes friends with the three residents and begins living in the town.
Two years later, the man invites the three to "another town."
The city's name is "Hyakusō." It is a megalopolis with high-rise buildings and a highly centralized urban area. It has a developed culture of sound and its language is also phonetic.
On the other hand, noise problems have become serious due to overpopulation, and there is a demand for extreme silence.
The man returns after two years and shows the three around the town.
Through their encounters with various residents of the Hundred Floors, the four eventually end up participating in a concert…
Official website: https://duk-tokyoforward2025.jp/
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duk-tokyoforward2025/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duk_tokyoforward2025/
[Organizer]
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts
Ticket application
【ticket】
All seats reserved, free (advance registration required, first come first served)
After your application is received, we will contact you by email or postcard with your seat number at least one week before the performance.
[How to apply]
Please apply from 10:00 on Monday, September 1st using one of the following methods.
①Application form https://pro.form-mailer.jp/fms/6b38097f334471
②Return postcard application deadline: October 31st (Friday) postmark valid
Please fill in your address, name, contact information (e.g., phone number), and desired viewing support (deaf theater area, subtitles, hearing loop, audio guide), and send it to the address below.
Send to: Sumitomo Fudosan Azabu-Juban Building 4F, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073
Lights Apartment Co., Ltd. "Don't be silent, move, breathe" performance office
If you would like to attend the performance as a group (10 or more people), please contact the performance office.
*Due to popular demand, tickets are sold out.
They are considering increasing the number of seats and will announce on their official website by early October when applications will resume, so please wait for the announcement.
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
*The front seats on the first floor are a viewing area for deaf people where the sign language on stage can be easily seen.
* Loud sounds will be heard in some scenes. Earplugs will be provided at the venue if you wish.
Please check the official website for details .
[Viewing support]
● Subtitles (Spoken dialogue is displayed as subtitles. Sign language dialogue is not supported.)
For this performance, subtitle support will be available using the free app "HELLO! Theater."
For more information, please visit the following URL: https://www.hellotheater.info/
Hearing group (reservations required, first come first served, limited seating area)
● Audio guide (reservation required, first come first served, limited availability)
Visual information such as the state of the stage and the movements of the performers will be conveyed through audio.
● Free area
There are free areas within the auditorium where you can sit if you want to move seats temporarily or if it is difficult to return to your seat during the performance.
● Lobby rest area
If you need a break during the show, you can take one in the lobby.
Childcare service (reservations required, fees apply, limited availability)
Event Childcare/Mothers: (0120-788-222) Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, November 21st.
*If you are coming with a wheelchair, assistance dog, or require other assistance, please contact the event office in advance.
[Venue map and access]
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Approximately 1 minute walk from the Park Gate of JR Ueno Station
Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Exit 7 of Tokyo Metro Ueno Station
Approximately 7 minutes walk from the main ticket gate of Keisei Ueno Station
*Tokyo Bunka Kaikan does not have a dedicated parking lot for customers. Please use a nearby paid parking lot.
[Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture] Press release
See other exhibition information
