The masterpiece comedy "Sanba," which depicts a battle between three women (the main wife, the mistress, and the sister-in-law) after the sudden death of their husband, will be performed at the Minami-za Theater from February 13 (Thu) to 24 (Mon), 2025.

Based on an original story published in 1961 by Sawako Ariyoshi, a leading writer of the Showa period, "Sanba" was adapted for the stage in 1973 with a script by Kinji Obata, and has been performed many times. The time was the period of high economic growth after World War II. The women choose to live their lives in their own way while accepting the social restrictions and inequalities they face, and their struggles and growth as a main wife, mistress, and sister-in-law, respectively, are deeply sympathetic to the theme, which is also relevant today.

Yaeko Mizutani as Komayo, the mistress, Kuriko Namino as Matsuko, the main wife, and Eri Watanabe as Taki, the deceased's sister, held a press conference in December.

Mizutani was deeply moved by her first performance at the Minamiza in 11 years, saying, "I have fond memories of the Minamiza and Kyoto. Namino commented that the time has passed since the last performance and "now that I am older, I have come to understand Matsuko's human side. Watanabe said, "The two of them are great at improvisation, and I admire their balance and combination. I am the youngest of the three, so I can do it with the feeling of a rookie (laughs). (laugh). I think of this as a testing ground given to me by God, and I want to steal what I can from the two of them.

［One of the highlights of the show is the co-starring performance by Emotoki Kawazaki, leader of the Shonen Ninja, and Rie Ohno, Katsura Shigihara, and Mamoru Taguchi, all members of the Shinpa group. The three women, each with one or two quirks, live together through laughter, tears, and even fights, but before long they find themselves supporting each other and living hand in hand. Mizutani says, "I'm going to enjoy playing the role of a wobbly old woman in the final act." Mizutani adds, "This story depicts the fear and weakness of human beings, and how they cannot live alone in the end. (Watanabe). The humor of the work itself and the fast-paced performance by these three actors are sure to be worth seeing!