Rouge28 Theatre

12/10/2025

Akutagawa Work-in-Progress

Akutagawa fuses Japanese and British heritage art forms - Kamishibai and Toy Theatre - with live video projection to create what we call 'Live Manga'. Inspired by celebrated Japanese modern writer Akutagawa, following a flawed man through multiple reincarnated lives.

Lead Artist, Puppeteer: Aya Nakamura
Director, Co-Project Leader: Paul Piris
Manga Artist: Inko Takita
Performer: Kimihiko Katamura
Stage Manager: Vivi Wei Wei
Lighting Designer: Alex Fernandes
Story Collaborator: Louisa Ashton
Composer: Paul Mosley
Calligrapher: Atsushi Tohriyama
Mentor: Sue Buckmaster
Assistant Makers: Edd Berridge, Yunshu Jiang, Izzy Jiang, Jumi Faruq, Evie Rosa
Co-Producer: Clarissa Widya (New Earth Theatre) & Rio Matchette (Camden People's Theatre)
Filmmaker: Charlie Flint
Projector Adviser: Will Monks
Technical Adviser: Nao Nagai

Special thanks to Claire Doucet, Mohsen Nouri, Kiki Ye, Audrey Kong,
Teele Uustani, Alice Lemmard, Emily Fellah, Kaveh Rahnama, Hugh Purves, Stacey McNelis, Mehrzad Jahromi

Funders: Arts Council England, New Earth Theatre, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Lewisham Council, Waltham Forest Libraries

28/09/2025

Snapshot from our last performance of Akutagawa at Downham Library.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the show. Your presence made it a truly memorable evening.

25/09/2025

This is the last activity of Project Akutagawa, led by Aya.

If you would like to experience the Japanese Paper Theatre, Kamishibai, come and use her at two libraries around Walthamstow!

23/09/2025

A snapshot from our sharing at Leytonstone Library Hall with the local youth club.

Don’t miss the final show Akutagawa Work-in-Progress this Wednesday at Downham Library — hope to see you there!

It's free but booking is required.

21/09/2025

A shot from a self rehearsal session.

The last show of Akutagawa Work-in-Progress is this Wednesday at the Downham Library, 6pm.

27/08/2025

Kamishibai performance, paper theatre making workshop and a Work-in-Progress show at Downham Library!!

Experience the captivating 'live manga' theatre performance, a highlight of the East & South East Asian cultural celebrations taking place in Downham this September. Delve into the stories at our libraries and even explore the unique setting of a local brewery. Discover all we have to offer by visiting our website.

25/08/2025

Akutagawa Work-in-Progress

Akutagawa fuses Japanese and British heritage art forms - Kamishibai and Toy Theatre - with live video projection to create what we call 'Live Manga'. Inspired by celebrated Japanese modern writer Akutagawa, following a flawed man through multiple reincarnated lives.

4 Sept, 7:30pm at Bush Theatre as a part of Twisted Roots Festival by

24 Sept, 6pm at Downham Library

Funded by Arts Council England - , New Earth Theatre - , Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation - , Lewisham Council - , Lewisham Libraries , Waltham Forest Libraries

25/08/2025

Paper Theatre activities for families and Teens coming soon at the Downham Library!!

Join Rouge28 Theatre and Lewisham Libraries this September as we celebrate East and South East Asian Heritage Month at Downham Library.

Japanese Storytelling
Saturday 6 September, 11.30am for ages 5+.
Step into the world of Kamishibai, the traditional Japanese art of paper theatre storytelling.

Japanese Paper Theatre Making Workshop
Saturday 13 September, 10.30am for all ages.
A hands-on workshop to create your own paper theatre.

'Live Manga’ theatre performance.
Wednesday 24 September, 6pm for adults and teens.
A unique performance combining paper puppetry and projection.

Find out more and book your free spaces here https://lewisham.events.mylibrary.digital/series?sn=esea&si=

Lewisham Council

11/08/2025

So exited to share this calligraphy done by talented artist

More to follow!

16/12/2020

'The Spider’s Thread' is a Paper Theatre film by Rouge28's associate artist, Aya Nakamura, a Japanese theatre-maker and puppeteer. The film is based on the f...