Yuzuru Kurenai, Ryuta Muro, Shota Hayashi, Aya Ouka, Doronzu Ishimoto/Ryo Tamashiro Starring: Alan Ayckbourn’s time travel comedy The stage production of “It’s Good to Meet You” has been decided

A play by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn that premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theater in England in 1994 and has since been repeated many times in London and New York. It has been decided that it will be performed in Japan. The cast includes Yuzuru Kurenai as the lead role of Poupei, Ryuta Muro as Julian, Shota Hayashi as Reese, Oka Aya as Jessica, Delons Ishimoto as Harold, and Ryo Tamashiro as Luella. Performances will be held at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo from Friday, May 2nd to Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, and at COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA TT Hall in Osaka on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th, 2025.

This work provokes laughter by skillfully constructing situations, and the story progresses with a detailed three-layered structure unique to Alan Ayckbourn, who is good at portraying human beings. Although it is set in a single situation, a suite in a luxury hotel in London, it is a work that draws you in as it travels back and forth through time. An incident in which the prostitute Poupei happens to be involved will gradually bring together women from different eras who are connected by a certain common denominator, and in the end, a hopeful ending awaits.

Yuzuru Kurenai, who plays the lead role, expressed her enthusiasm for this work, saying, “As I read the script, I felt a warm feeling in my heart at the end, and I felt strongly that I wanted to act in a work that naturally brought tears to my eyes.” , Ryuta Muro, who will be taking on a nihilistic role for the first time in his life, said, “I’m the complete opposite of a nihilistic person, so I’m really excited to be able to participate in a production where I can take on such a role.” Shota Hayashi said, “I will do my best to make this a wonderful work that will remain in your heart, filled with laughter and tears,” and Ayaka said, “I will carefully portray the bonds, growth, and warmth of women who are connected across time.” I want to do it,” said Dronseki. Regarding the book, “I hope everyone will enjoy the combination of thrill and laughter,” and Tamaki said, “It’s a story with both laughter and thrills, but at the end it leaves a very warm feeling in your heart.” He expressed his expectations for. (Full cast below)

The director is Minoru Nosaka, who has worked on numerous mystery plays. Look forward to seeing what kind of chemical reactions will occur with the unique performers as the stage unfolds at a good tempo while expressing the feelings of each character…!

Performances will be held at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo from Friday, May 2nd to Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, and at COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA TT Hall in Osaka on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th, 2025. Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 10:00 on Sunday, March 16, 2025. For details of the performance, please visit the official websitehttps://anatani2025.com/Check it out!

[Synopsis]

2014, luxury hotel in London. Poupei (Yuzuru Kurenai), a prostitute wearing an overcoat and a blonde wig, visits a hotel suite to serve Reese (Shota Hayashi), a dying elderly man. However, there is another reason why Reese called Poupei. His assistant, Julian (Ryuta Muro), confesses to the fact that he murdered both of his past wives, in order to get him to admit it. Poupei tries to leave quickly with the confession, but Julien spots him and attacks him. Poupei escapes to the other side of the suite’s communication door. When Poupei opens the door, he finds himself in the same room from 1994. Reese’s second wife, Louella (Ryo Tamaki), was there. Afterwards, he also meets his first wife, Jessica (Aya Oka), and in order to save their lives, the three of them bravely face their fate in a strange time travel in a hotel room… !

[Performer comments]

・Red Yuzuru

The director, Mr. Nosaka, suggested to me, “Isn’t this work perfect for Beni-san?” and the work I created was “It’s Nice to Meet You.” As I read the script, I felt a warm feeling in my heart at the end, and I felt strongly that I wanted to act in this work, which naturally brought tears to my eyes. I am truly honored to be able to work with Mr. Nosaka, whom I respect from the bottom of my heart, again! I will put my heart and soul into the performance so that the theatergoers will feel “I’m glad I saw this performance.” Please look forward to it! ! !

・Ryuta Muro

I’m happy to be able to participate in Nosaka Lab again! ! ! I’m the complete opposite of a nihilistic person, so I’m really excited to be able to participate in a production where I can take on such a role!

I’m glad I watched this production because it’s going to be a great production with a great cast! I would like to perform my role to the best of my ability so that you can feel that way.

・Shota Hayashi

I’m really looking forward to being able to work on a production directed by Mr. Nosaka again. It’s a comedy that’s thrilling, but it’s also about tension and relaxation. I feel both suspenseful and excited, and I’m so happy to be able to be a resident of that world. Together with my wonderful co-stars, I will do my best to create a wonderful work that will leave a lasting impression on you, filled with laughter and tears.

・Ayaouka

I am very happy to be able to be involved in this work with the wonderful cast. I am also very excited about this role, which has a new charm and personality that I have never experienced before. I would like to carefully portray the bonds, growth, and warmth of women who are connected across time. Thank you very much for your support!

・Doronzu Ishimoto

Well, first of all, I would like to thank you for letting me know about your work, which I am really looking forward to! This is my second time working with Mr. Nosaka, the director, but I’m excited because it’s my first time working on an overseas production. I hope everyone enjoys the combination of thrill and laughter. This year is the Year of the Snake, so I will do my best to enjoy the various changes in my life, so I hope you all will be waiting for me at the theater.

・Ryo Tamaki

After reading the script, I was very happy to be able to take on this work and the role of “Luella.” It’s a story filled with laughter and thrills, but I think it will leave a very warm feeling in your heart at the end. I got the impression that the director Nosaka-san’s work attracted people who love theater, so as someone who loves theater, I’m really excited to be able to participate in Nosaka Lab this time! I would like to fully enjoy the chemical reactions with everyone who will be with me.

[Title]Stage play “I’m glad I met you”

[Cast]Yuzuru Beni, Ryuta Muro, Shota Hayashi, Ayaka, Doronzu Ishimoto / Ryo Tamaki

[Written by]Alan Ayckbourn

[Translation]Tsuneshi Odashima, Noriko Odashima

[Director]Minoru Nosaka

[Performance date/time/venue]

Tokyo performance: May 2nd (Friday) to May 7th (Wednesday), 2025 Mitsukoshi Theater

Osaka performance: May 10th (Sat) and 11th (Sun), 2025 COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA TT Hall

[Ticket price]S seat: 10,800 yen (tax included) / A seat: 9,800 yen (tax included)

[Ticket sales]General sale from 10:00 on Sunday, March 16, 2025

●Official website:https://anatani2025.com/

●Official X: @anatani2025