It has been decided that the final stage performance of Meijiza's 150th anniversary, ``Mage the Cat's Eye,'' will be performed at Meijiza in Tokyo from February 6th (Tuesday) to March 3rd (Sunday), 2024.
“CAT’S♥EYE” has gained explosive popularity since its release in 1981, and continues to be loved even in the current Reiwa era. The original manga has not only been made into an anime and a live-action movie, but has also been adapted into various media mixes.
This stage version is set in the Meiji era, which is also the time when Meiji-za was founded, and is an original story in which the three sisters of the phantom thief Cat's Eye perform their most vivid thievery. The three sisters of the phantom thief Cat's Eye, who are the main characters of the story, will be played by Norika Fujiwara as Hitomi Kisuo, Reiko Takashima as Tetsuya Kisugi, and Ayame Goriki as Ai Kisugi. On April 28, 2023, Meijiza celebrated its 150th anniversary. Since its founding in 1896, it has attracted many visitors and is now the oldest theater in Tokyo. Although we have faced many disasters and difficulties, we have been able to continue to perform to this day, thanks to the customers, actors, staff, and everyone involved who supported us through those times.
To express our gratitude for this 150th anniversary, we have performed a variety of works under the title ``Meijiza 150th Anniversary Performances'' from June 2022 to February 2024. In February 2024, the last special performance commemorating this anniversary will be the one and only phantom thief entertainment stage play ``Mage the Cat's Eye'', featuring three people who have experience as chairmen at Meijiza. We will deliver this as the culmination of our 150th anniversary.
Please look forward to future announcements regarding other performers and performance details!
We also received enthusiastic comments from Norika Fujiwara, Ayame Goriki, and Reiko Takashima, who are the triple stars, as well as Masahiko Kawahara, who is in charge of directing this work, and Udai Iwasaki, who is in charge of the screenplay.
Norika Fujiwara comment
I played the role of the eldest daughter, Nai, in the 1997 movie "CAT'S EYE," and now I've been given the role of the second daughter, Hitomi, on stage!
I'm surprised that after 26 years, the role played by Yumi to Hitomi has become younger! I'm happy to be able to work on one of my favorite works by Mr. Hojo again, and I'm excited to work with director Masahiko Kawahara. My sister's tears are my beloved Reiko-chan, my sister's love is my cute Ayame-chan, and I can't wait for the beginning of February ♡
Now that I think about it, it's still fresh in my memory that I celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Meiji-za Theater in April of this year by being in charge of reading and emceeing the ``Great Festival,'' and I feel very happy as an actor to be able to grace the final performance this time. .
Meiji era version of “Cats♥I” at the traditional Meijiza! Please look forward to it.
Norika Fujiwara Profile
Born in Hyogo Prefecture. While studying at Kobe Shinwa Women's University, Department of English and American Literature, she won the Grand Prix at the 1992 Miss Japan Grand Prix competition. After graduating, she became a model and then an actress.
He has starred in many dramas, and is also active in commercials, host, and voice actor. On stage, Sally Bowles in the musical ``Cabaret'', Nelly in ``South Pacific'', Janet in ``The Drowsy Chaperone'', the ``Atami Goro Ichiza'' series, ``Hana no Tayu Dochu'', etc. have all played leading roles or heroines. She is also active as an actress. At Meiji-za, he played the role of Sazae in ``Makai Tensei'' in ``Makai Tensei'' in 21, and ``Sazae-san'', and his role as Sazae in ``Sazae-san'' is still fresh in my memory, and for the 150th anniversary performance, he will take on the role of a male for the first time in the reading drama ``Otoko no Hanamichi''. The movie ``Flying to Saitama - From Lake Biwa with Love'' in which he plays the mayor of Kobe is scheduled to be released on November 23rd. In addition to performing arts activities, he is also actively engaged in social contribution activities, and in 2007, he became a special envoy for public relations for the Japanese Red Cross.He launched his own NPO, ``Smile Please World Children's Fund,'' which is currently building schools in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and Nepal. We continue to provide educational support to children both domestically and internationally.
Ayame Goriki comment
I am very happy to be able to perform on the Meijiza stage after such a long time.
The first performance was at Meiji-za. I still remember being nervous the whole time, not knowing anything about the stage performance. But at the same time, that was the moment I fell in love with being on stage.
This time, I will enjoy it to the fullest and win everyone's hearts! lol
Ayame Goriki Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Born on August 27th. She has been an exclusive model for the fashion magazine "SEVENTEEN" since 2008, and made her debut as an actress in 2011 with "You Taught Me All the Important Things." The bright and energetic character attracted attention and was used in commercials one after another. Selected as ``Face of the Year'' by ``Nikkei Trendy.'' In 2013, she made her first lead role in a drama in ``Biblia Koshodo no Jiken Techo'', and in the same year, she also debuted as a singer in ``Friends More Important People''. He has been active in a wide range of fields, including dramas, movies, hosting variety shows, and commercials. In 2016, she made her debut on stage and in her first lead role in ``Sisters of Gion'' at Meijiza. Major works in recent years include [TV] ``Miraculous Experience! Unbelievable!'', ``Hello at Midnight'', ``Family Photo''; [Stage] ``No.9 - Immortal Melody'', ``Two Hi'' Kigeki "Such.
Reiko Takashima comment
I feel like it's fate because it's based on the original work by Tsukasa Hojo, the same person who wrote the drama ``Angel Heart,'' which I previously appeared in.
I am. Moving to the Meiji era, what kind of phantom thief sisters will be played by Norika Fujiwara and Ayame Goriki?
I'm really looking forward to it.
We will do our best to make this the final performance of Meijiza's 150th anniversary year, so everyone can enjoy it.
I wish I could play it.
Reiko Takashima Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Born on July 25th. Debuted as an actress in 1988 in "Abarenbo Shogun III". Her beautiful face and dignified figure that goes well with kimonos are impressive, and she has appeared in TV dramas such as ``Mito Komon,'' ``Ooka Echizen,'' ``Ooku ~Chapter 1~,'' the taiga drama ``Tenchijin,'' and ``40 Million Steps.'' He has appeared in many period dramas such as ``Otoko'', ``Onjuku Kawasemi'', and ``Zennin Nagaya''. In addition to period dramas, he has also played various roles such as ``Kagero Series'', ``Yakuza no Wives Series'', ``Spirit Nagashi'', ``SPACE BATTLE SHIP Yamato'', ``Please Marry My Wife'', ``Red Moon'', and ``Guardian of the Spirit''. freely. In 2001, she won the 24th Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for ``Nagasaki Burabura Bushi''. At Meiji-za, he appeared in ``Onnatachi no Chushingura'', ``Kasuga no Tsuburo'', ``Onjuku Kawasemi'', and ``Onna no Ie''.
Comment from director Masahiko Kawahara
This Mikata is Cats ❤ Ai. Moreover, it was the Meiji era. And the script was written by Kamomentarunoudai. I can't help but feel excited.
No, it's both nerve-wracking and light-headed. Moreover, Meijiza's 150th anniversary final! Have you ever come up with a plan that was as aggressive as this one? Well, this is what it looks like. Even if you let it be, it's randomly sexy! gorgeous! Romantic! It will be a great stage.
looking forward to!
Scriptwriter Udai Iwasaki comment
It's an honor to be involved in the stage adaptation of Cat's Eye, which I watched as an anime when I was a child.
Cat's eye from the Meiji era! What kind of charming sisters will they become?
I would like to be able to arrange a masterpiece in my own way. Look forward to it with excitement!
[Performance overview]
Performance name: Meijiza 150th anniversary final performance stage "Mage the Cat's Eye"
Period: February 6th (Tuesday) to March 3rd (Sunday), 2024
Venue: Meijiza (2-31-1 Nihonbashihamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007)
Original work: Tsukasa Hojo “CAT’S♥EYE” (Coa Mix)
Screenplay: Udai Iwasaki
Direction: Masahiko Kawahara
Starring: Norika Fujiwara, Ayame Goriki, Reiko Takashima, and others
Official site:https://www.meijiza.co.jp/info/2023/2024_02/
*Details on ticket prices and ticket release dates will be announced later on the official website.
Inquiries regarding performances: Meijiza Ticket Center 03-3666-6666 (10:00-17:00)
[Original information]
Hojo Tsukasa 「CAT’S♥EYE」
Tsukasa Hojo's first serialized work, which began serialization in 1981 in Weekly Shonen Jump.
The thrilling romantic comedy and crime action made it popular, and it was made into a TV anime in 1983, with the theme song becoming a huge hit.
Synopsis
The three beautiful sisters who run the cafe Cat's Eye, Hitomi, Tears, and Ai, have another face. That person is Cat's Eye, a mysterious thief who steals works of art in order to find out the truth about his missing father. Detective Toshio Utsumi is determined to arrest the mysterious thief ``Cat's Eye,'' but he does not know that Cat's Eye is actually his lover. While the phantom thief and the detective fight each other, what will happen to the romance between Hitomi and Toshio, who continue to date?