Usagi Yojimbo

Applicant: Southwark Playhouse 
Award: £1000
Field: Arts

Project: 

Usagi Yojimbo is a series of graphic novels first released in 1984. Set in 17^th Century Edo period Japan, it features a cast of anthropomorphic animal characters and is often inspired by Japanese stories, myths and legends.

In 2014, which represented the 30th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, Southwark Playhouse were given permission to adapt the story to the stage, presented as a family show for everyone aged 8 and upwards and offering young people an introduction to a part of Japanese history.

A number of local schools in the Southwark area were given complimentary tickets to attend the show, with attendance of around 600 local pupils. Many of the schools attending also engaged in in-school workshops lead by members of the production and cast during which they were introduced to physical theatre techniques and games and activities using counting in Japanese.

For more information, visit the Southwark Playhouse website.