Japanese Theater Troupe To Perform Heavy Metal Version Of 'Macbeth'

May 3, 2006

Junichiro Shiozaki of The Daily Yomiuri is reporting that theater troupe Shinkansen will perform "Metaru Makubesu" — a heavy metal version of William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" — from later this month until July at venues in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.

The play is set in two different periods — the year 2206 and the 1980s, when heavy metal was enjoying a boom — and is an adaptation of Kazuko Matsuoka's Japanese translation of the famous tragedy.

"Metaru Makubesu" will be accompanied by live heavy-metal music blasting out at top volume — an indispensable part of the Shinkansen stage style.

Kankuro Kudo helped with writing lyrics for the songs, which also feature an element of comedy.

"'Macbeth' goes well with heavy metal sound since it is associated with high drama. It's easy to put to music," producer Hidenori Inoue said. "This adaptation is really a musical in which the story is driven by the music."

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