The September star kabuki play “Stormy Night” opened on the 4th at the Minamiza Theater in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, and the kabuki actor Shido Nakamura (51) and other performers gave a speech in front of the theater before the opening day.

This new kabuki play is an adaptation of the picture book of the same name by Yuichi Kimura, which depicts the friendship between a wolf and a goat. Following on from the premiere, Shido will play the wolf Gabu, and Ichitaro Nakamura (34) will play the goat Mei for the first time.

As the crowd called out “Manza!”, Shido said, “The play debuted at Minami-za in 2015, so this will be the first performance there in about nine years. I think it’s a heartwarming piece, so I hope everyone will come to the theater.”

Ichitaro also vowed to give a passionate performance, saying, “When I read the original work, I felt a strong connection to friends and the power of belief. I want to express that feeling with all my might on stage.”