This project, in which adult performers take the creative ideas of children as their starting point, was launched in 2017 based on a concept by NODA Hideki, artistic director of Tokyo Metropolitan Theater. The final piece was developed by three seasoned artists––author/performer/actor IWAI Hideto, actor/dancer MORIYAMA Mirai, and singer-songwriter MAENO Kenta––based on a series of workshops with youngsters.

The play’s title, “Nam-ham-da-ham,” comes from a made-up word of mourning that originated in these kids’ workshops. Creating stories with children results in a range of fantastic characters, sudden contextual shifts, and lead roles who are killed off before the story has even begun, all of which the three performers took in their stride as they painstakingly crafted the final work. Following the play’s initial 2017 run at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, the trio reprised their partnership in the “Odomo no katari” series (2018), broadcast as part of NHK Educational TV’s “Odomo TV”, and again for “Nam-ham-da-ham LIVE!” (2021).

2017
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre : Theatre West

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.terrada.co.jp/)

＜Performance Credits＞
Directed, written, and choreographed by: IWAI Hideto (hi-bye/WARE), MORIYAMA Mirai, MAENO Kenta
Based on original content from children’s workshops
Performers: IWAI Hideto (hi-bye/WARE), MORIYAMA Mirai, MAENO Kenta
Stage manager: TANIZAWA Takumi
Music: IWAI Hideto (hi-bye/WARE), MORIYAMA Mirai, MAENO Kenta, TANEISHI Yukiya
Set/Costume design: YAMAMOTO Kie
Lighting designer: MATSUMOTO Daisuke
Sound: NAKAMURA Yoshihiro
Filmed & edited by: TOKYO style
Production: MIYOSHI Sachiko, SAKATA Atsuko (Quinada inc.)
Planned & produced by: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Quinada inc.
Organization: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Arts), Tokyo Metropolitan Government /Arts Council Tokyo
Supported by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Projects to Revitalize Theaters and Concert Halls, etc. (FY 2016)
https://namhamdaham.com/

Director assistant: IKEDA Ryo (YUMEI)
Direction Department: WATANABE Asako
Food design: SATO Arisa (boxes Inc.)
Photographer: HIKICHI Nobuhiko
Set construction: C-COM
Supported: Toshima City

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Shu LIN
Chinese Translation (Traditional): Muju TSAN
English Translation: David McMAHON
French Translation: SOEJIMA Aya
Russian Translation: Inga IBRAKHIM
Spanish Translation: David TARANCO

＜Promotional Text＞
YONEYA Naoko
Translated by: David McMAHON

End date of distribution: 19/10/2023