Katsuben Reimagined: Live Benshi Performance
The Japan Society is delighted to present a special evening of katsuben – the captivating Japanese art of live silent film narration – at the historic Regent Street Cinema, the birthplace of British cinema in the heart of London. Step back into the vibrant 1920s and experience katsuben, where silent films are anything but silent. On stage, benshi – dynamic performers and storytellers – bring the screen to life by voicing every character, narrating the action, and adding dramatic flair in real time. During Japan’s silent film golden age, benshi were cultural icons, often more famous than the actors themselves. With no official scripts, they crafted their own interpretations – sometimes faithful, sometimes wildly imaginative – turning each screening into a unique theatrical event. Today, only around twenty benshi remain in Japan, preserving this rare and remarkable tradition. This event offers a rare opportunity to experience katsuben in English, featuring live performances alongside excerpts from iconic Japanese and British silent films. The show will be followed by an audience Q&A session with the narrators in English. The event will be filmed in front of a live theatre audience for upcoming episodes of NHK World’s TV show J-Flicks, which will introduce katsuben to global audiences. A preview and premiere of the performance will take place in Tokyo in September 2025. Koyata Aso is a legendary benshi who performs in Japanese and English. Debuted at the age of ten at the famous Mokubatei theater in Asaksua, Tokyo. Won the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology award at the speech contest in 2003. Deputy Editor of Monthly Asakusa and writer for the Taito City website TAITO Travel Guide. Started katsuben school in Tokyo in 2005.PT30MTBCKatsuben Reimagined: Live Benshi Performance"Katsuben Reimagined: Live Benshi Performance"Showtimes
November 20, 7:00 pm
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