2022.03.30
Presenting of new family musical for children
Taiyo Oil has provided support for the nationwide performing of a new family musical called “The Myth of the Beginning Tree: The Story of The Forest of the Beginning,” which has been organized by Shiki Theatre Company, as well as “Kokoro no Gekijo” performances, which have been overseen by Shiki Theatre Company and the Butai Geijutsu (Performing Arts) Center, in a video distribution format (in Ehime Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture).
“The Myth of the Beginning Tree: The Story of The Forest of the Beginning” is a new family musical that has been overseen by Shiki Theatre Company. This musical has the themes of “interpersonal connections” and “the importance of communicating one’s thoughts,” and it was performed across Japan from August 2021 through March 2022.
Photograph: Takahiro Higuchi
Photograph: Atsutoshi Shimosaka
“Kokoro no Gekijo” performances are a project in which elementary school students nationwide are invited to theaters in order to convey to them the excitement of theatrical performances. The performances are aimed at emotionally conveying important life lessons related to topics such as the value of life, the spirit of altruism, and the joy of mutual trust, to children through theater. Taiyo Oil approves of the philosophy of the performances so has been supporting them continuously since FY2015 as a part of its social contribution activities. Currently, Taiyo Oil supports the performances in Ehime Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture where its offices and group companies are located.
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, children were not invited to theaters for this year’s “Kokoro no Gekijo” performances, and instead a “video distribution format” was adopted in which video recordings of the performances were played for the children who had been planning to see the shows, at their schools.
Taiyo Oil believes that with functions and events at schools declining due to COVID-19, the initiatives of Shiki Theatre Company are especially valuable for children at this time, and as such the company intends to continue proactively supporting activities of this kind going forward.
Event outline
①Nationwide performances of “The Myth of the Beginning Tree: The Story of The Forest of the Beginning”
Performance dates (excerpt of those for locations of Taiyo Oil offices and group companies)
・Ehime Prefecture : February 1 (Tue.), 2022, Matsuyama Shimin Kaikan Dai Hall
・ Yamaguchi Prefecture: March 10 (Thu.), 2022, Hofu City Public Hall Dai Hall
・ Okinawa Prefecture : February 27 (Sun.), 2022, Matida Citizens’ Theater
: March 2 (Wed.), 2022, Ishigaki City Hall Dai Hall
: March 5 (Sat.) and 6 (Sun.), 2022, Naha Cultural Arts Theater NAHArt Dai Gekijo
②Video distribution format of Kokoro no Gekijo performances
Number of viewers (excerpt of those for locations of Taiyo Oil support)
・Ehime Prefecture : 3,700 people (three cities)
・ Yamaguchi Prefecture: 4,800 people (four cities)
・ Okinawa Prefecture : 8,500 people (five cities)