In the fall of 2011, when Japan was still greatly suffering in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Sylvie Guillem together with The Tokyo Ballet did a Japan tour named 'HOPE JAPAN', visiting cities including the most affected ones in the eastern Japan. She had to include Maurice Béjart's Boléro in the shows because she thought it was 'The Power of HOPE'.
Ten years has passed since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident while the recovery and reconstruction are still ongoing. Since last year, not only in Japan but all the people around the world have been struggling with COVID-19.
The Tokyo Ballet remembers the power generated on the tour in 2011 and brings a quadruple bill composed of Maurice Béjart's masterpieces on HOPE JAPAN 2021 TOUR, hoping to share Béjart's positive and evolutional approach to people and lives on earth, which is probably much needed in these difficult times.
The show will include the must-have ballet Boléro and another popular piece 7 danses grecques bringing fresh air, the blue sky and the blue sea of the Mediterranean. Bugaku was premiered in 1988 by five dancers of The Tokyo Ballet and the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. Among them were Artistic Director Yukari Saito. Béjart later revised the ballet for The Tokyo Ballet, but on this occasion, the original version will be performed. Roméo et Juliette is an immortal work in which Béjart speaks up for love and pacifism. It will be the first time in 38 years for The Tokyo Ballet to perform the Pas de deux from Roméo et Juliette.
Kenzo Takada (1939-2020)
The logo and visual of 'HOPE JAPAN' were created by the late artist and designer Kenzo Takada when Sylvie Guillem and The Tokyo Ballet did a Japan tour named 'HOPE JAPAN' in 2011. He sadly passed away in October 2020, but his office has generously allowed us to use the same logo and visual as a 'symbol of recovery'.
Boléro
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Maurice Ravel
La Mélodie Mizuka Ueno (3 July), Dan Tsukamoto (4 July)
Photo: Shoko Matsuhashi
Photo: Kiyonori Hasegawa
7 danses grecques
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Mikis Theodorakis
Solo Dan Tsukamoto (3 July), Yuki Higuchi (4 July)
Photo: Kiyonori Hasegawa
Bugaku
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Toshiro Mayuzumi
Photo: Kiyonori Hasegawa
Pas de deux from Roméo et Juliette
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Hector Berlioz
Saturday 3 July 2021, 14:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Tokyo
Sunday 4 July 2021, 14:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Tokyo
＜Program and tour dates in other cities＞
Program
Boléro
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Maurice Ravel
Danses grecques
Choreography Maurice Béjart
Music Mikis Theodorakis
Paquita
Choreography Léon Minkus
Music Marius Petipa
*Ticket prices vary at each theater. To buy tickets or for further information, please contact each theater.
Tuesday 6 July 2021, 19:00 @Festival Hall, Osaka (Oaska)
Wednesday 7 July 2021, 19:00 @Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, Nagoya (Aichi)
Friday 9 July 2021, 19:00 @Sinfonia Iwakuni, Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
Saturday 10 July 2021, 16:00 @Fukuoka Symphony Hall at ACROS Fukuoka, Fukuoka (Fukuoka)
Monday 12 July 2021, 19:00 @Shoken Gakuen Maebashi Hall (Maebashi Shimin Bunka Kaikan), Maebashi (Gunma)
Tuesday 13 July 2021, 19:00 @AUBADE HALL, Toyama (Toyama)
Wednesday 14 July 2021, 19:00 @ROHM Theatre Kyoto, Kyoto (Kyoto)
Thursday 15 July 2021, 19:00 @Okayama Symphony Hall, Oakayama (Okayama)
Sunday 18 July 2021, 14:00 @Mie Center for the Arts, Tsu (Mie)
Monday 19 July 2021, 19:00 @Iwaki Performing Arts Center Alios, Iwaki (Fukushima)
*Running Time About 2 hours including an intermission.
*Recorded music will be used.
*Program and casting as of 23 April 2021 are subject to change.
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)
http://www.t-bunka.jp/en/access/index.html
For performances at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
| Category | |
| S | \13,000 |
| A | \11,000 |
| B | \9,000 |
| C | \7,000 |
| D | \5,000 |
| E | \3,000 |
| 25 and Under | \1,500 |
●Please note that we are to present the performances with the utmost caution in line with national and regional guidelines for novel coronavirus infection prevention measures, and that the performance dates and details are subject to change depending on circumstances. We will be posting on our website a list of novel coronavirus precautions upon attending the performance. Audience members are kindly asked to read it before attending the performance.
●Children under 6 years old are not admitted to the auditorium.
●Program and casting as of 23 April 2021 are subject to change. Changes in the program and cast do not entitle holders to return or exchange tickets.
Ticket Sale DatesAll tickets go on sale on Friday 23 April 2021 at 10:00a.m. Book now
Presales at "NBS WEB Ticket"
●For Categories S, A, B, C, D and E Friday 9 April 2021, 21:00--Wednesday 21 April 2021, 18:00
Presales and Discount Tickets at NBS WEB Ticket and NBS Ticket Center
TTo purchase discount tickets at NBS WEB Ticket, you will need to register for a free membership of Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS) from here. (We regret that the form is only in Japanese.)
After registration, click here to buy tickets.
1. Parent and Child Tickets (Categories S, A & B)
Parent and Child Tickets (for children between 6 and 18 years old, from elementary school students to senior high school students) will go on sale on Tuesday 11 May 2021 at 10:00 at NBS WEB Ticket and NBS Ticket Center (Phone 03-3791-8888). Up to two child tickets per one parent ticket can be purchased. Child tickets are half the adult price.
2. 25 and Under Tickets
¥1,500 tickets for those aged 6 to 25 years go on sale on Thursday 3 June 2021, 20:00 at NBS WEB Ticket. You must bring identity documents with proof of age to pick up your tickets at the venue on the performance day.
3. Discount for two persons (Categories S, A & B)
Enjoy a discount of \1,000 for two persons. Tickets will be on sale during the periods of presales and the general sales at NBS WEB Ticket and NBS Ticket Center (Phone 03-3791-8888).
For more information, please contact us at +81-(0)3-3791-8888 (phone) or english@nbs.or.jp.
Presented by The Association of Japanese Ballet Companies / 
Japan Performing Arts Foundation
Co-presented by Nikkei Inc.
