The Show Must Go On
ショウ・マスト・ゴー・オン
“They're a terrible bunch.”
Synopsis
Recorded on 15th April 1994 at Kinokuniya Hall, Tokyo. This play is what brought media fame to Koki Mitani back in 1991, performed by his theatre group Tokyo Sunshine Boys. It was adapted into a television special in 1992 and then in 1994 (the run the released DVD recording captures) they did another run. It was broadcast on NHK-BS2 on 26th May 1994, identical to the TV release but with differences in music. It is Mitani's typical farcical comedy where the characters follow only one rule: 'No matter what happens. Once that curtain rises. It must not be lowered until we finish our performance.' Koki Mitani said of the play 'They are outrageous people, but deep down, there is a firm principle running through their veins: "Once the curtain rises, no matter what happens, there is an ironclad rule." For stage performers, the phrase "the show must go on" essentially means you can't take the show off.'
Top Cast
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Masahiko Nishimura
Shindo (Stage Manager)
Toshihito Ito
Kido (Assistant Stage Manager)
Rieko Takahashi
Noe Banba (Assistant Stage Manager)
Yoshimasa Kondo
Koichiro Ose (Owner of the Lodge)
Kazuyuki Aijima
Junichi Kuribayashi (Author)
Kenji Anan
Heiji Yashiro (actor)
Isao Nonaka
Azusa Kuno (actress)
Takashi Kobayashi
Takio Sadojima (Father of Governer)
Masahiro Komoto
Tatsuo Nakajima (Yakuza Lookalike)
Naoto Hori
Shichiemon Kuroki (Master Prop Maker)
Saito Kiyoko
Asako Shindo (Shindo's Wife)
Masato Obara
Johnny (Assistant)
B-saku Satoh
Uzawa (Elderly Actor)
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 27, 2016
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Koki Mitani
- Screenplay & Story
- Koki Mitani
- Original Title
- ショウ・マスト・ゴー・オン
- Spoken Languages
- English, Japanese
- Runtime
- 2h 14m
- Production Studios
- NHK
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
Department Leadership Roster
Koki Mitani
Director
Koki Mitani
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Show Must Go On
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Show Must Go On about?
Recorded on 15th April 1994 at Kinokuniya Hall, Tokyo. This play is what brought media fame to Koki Mitani back in 1991, performed by his theatre group Tokyo Sunshine Boys. It was adapted into a television special in 1992 and then in 1994 (the run the released DVD recording captures) they did another run. It was broadcast on NHK-BS2 on 26th May 1994, identical to the TV release but with differences in music. It is Mitani's typical farcical comedy where the characters follow only one rule: 'No matter what happens. Once that curtain rises. It must not be lowered until we finish our performance.' Koki Mitani said of the play 'They are outrageous people, but deep down, there is a firm principle running through their veins: "Once the curtain rises, no matter what happens, there is an ironclad rule." For stage performers, the phrase "the show must go on" essentially means you can't take the show off.'
Who directed The Show Must Go On?
The Show Must Go On was directed by Koki Mitani.
Who stars in The Show Must Go On?
The principal cast of The Show Must Go On includes Masahiko Nishimura, Toshihito Ito, Rieko Takahashi, Yoshimasa Kondo, Kazuyuki Aijima.
When was The Show Must Go On released and how long is it?
The Show Must Go On was released in 1994 with a total runtime of 2h 14m.