The Japan Society Review

Directed by Melly Still Based on the novel Sputnik Sweetheart by Murakami Haruki, this stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery demonstrates the malleable power of the theatre as a storytelling medium. Review by Michael Tsang

Whole Hog Theatre in association with Park Theatre Based on the stereotype-defying anime and novel from world-renowned filmmaker Shinkai Makoto, The Garden of Words presents a refreshing and original take on the story of the serendipitous encounter between two social misfits. Review by Laurence Green

Yoshioka Nao’s latest performance at The Jazz Cafe was active and embodied and coupled with her powerful vocals, brought the music to life and left a lasting impact on the audience. Review by Jasmin Lau

Coreographed by Teshigawara Saburo In Teshigawara Saburo’s reimagination of Wagner’s 'Tristan and Isolde', our lovers are never quite touching. The story behind the duet between KARAS dancers is of two lovers who should not be together, but who fall recklessly in love after imbibing a love potion. Review by Alice Baldock

Staged by Jack McNamara An immersive reading performance of Mieko Kawakami's new novel, "Heaven", a work about bullying, what it means to bully, and to be bullied. Review by Laurence Green

By Kaneko Ayano Yosuga is the 6th full-length album from Kaneko Ayano, one of Japan’s best kept musical secrets. Since 2014, Kaneko has released a body of work which charts her considerable progress as a musician. Review by Cameron Bassindale

Extant, the leading performing arts company and charity in the UK managed for and by visually impaired professional arts practitioners, has recently launched an online digital production of Flight Paths, an interactive reworking of the 2019 theatre production. Review by Susan Meehan

By KyoShinDo Take a group of Italian percussionists, who just so happen to be karate experts too, and see what kind of musical concoction they can cook up. As Hirota Joji, who has been teaching the group for over ten years puts it, it’s ‘taiko with a martial arts touch’. Review by Laurence Green

By Café Reason Butoh Dance Theatre Café Reason is the only UK butoh group outside of London. Their latest piece, Tipping Point, uses a dash of butoh ‘characteristics’ alongside many other interesting ways of moving. Review by Alice Baldock

With Kyogen masters Juro Zenchiku and Daijiro Zenchiku Music Kyogen Scrooge is an innovative theatrical production that combines Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Japanese traditional comedy play Kyogen, and contemporary music. Review by Alice Baldock