1 Shoulder pads - GALAXY TRAIN - Japanese musical theatre

WORKS:

Overview:

A musical play performed by five men and one woman but do the men's costumes really consist of only shoulder pads?! With minimal costumes and props, this production brings to life the world of "Night on the Galactic Railroad", a beloved piece of Japanese children's literature by Kenji Miyazawa. Giovanni, a poor and lonely boy, is invited one night by his best friend Campanella to board a mysterious train that travels through the galaxy. Along their journey, they meet and part with various passengers from distant stars. As the train nears its final stop, Campanella bids farewell to Giovanni and continues alone into the cosmos. It is revealed that, in the real world, Campanella drowned that same night while trying to save a friend. Giovanni returns to the land of the living, carrying with him the notebook containing the story they created together. "We were born from the Big Bang. So, everything you encounter in this universe is a part of Campanella." With these words from his dear friend in his heart, Giovanni vows to live on with strength and hope.

Keyword:

Musical
Small Cast
Moving
Short Play
All Ages
Live Performance
Minimal Set
Life

Performing Group:

Shoulder pads

Genre:

Musical theatre

Status:

Time:

45 min

Dialogue:

English and Japanese

Subtitle:

English and other

Capacity:

up to 386

Cast:

View Contact

Synopsis:

One lonely, impoverished boy named Giovanni boards the Galaxy Express one night, invited by his best friend, Campanella. The two set off on a journey through the cosmos, meeting and parting with people from distant stars along the way.

As the train nears its final stop, Campanella bids farewell and disappears into the universe. It is later revealed that, on that very night, he drowned while trying to save a friend.

Giovanni returns alone to the world of the living, clutching the notebook where they had once written stories together. In his heart echo the final words of his dear friend:

“We’re made from the Big Bang—so everything you encounter in this world is a part of Campanella.”

With those words as his guide, Giovanni vows to live on, carrying his friend’s spirit in all that he sees.

Concept:

Shoulder pads for costumes?! Just two chairs for the Galaxy Railroad?! And yet… suddenly, you begin to see the unseen. This is a musical play that maximizes the expressive power of minimalism—through just the bare essentials in costumes and props, combined with diverse physical expression, song, and dance. It brings to life the poetic world of one of Japan’s most beloved literary works with boundless imagination. This unique stage production explores the limitless freedom of creativity in theatre, and the vast potential of the audience’s imagination.

Now in its 24th year, the Japanese theatre company behind this work developed it during the COVID-19 pandemic by returning to the roots of theatrical joy: simplicity. Premiered in Japan, this piece is loved by children and adults alike. It has become the company’s signature piece.

Performed by a vibrant cast with eclectic backgrounds—from street performance and traditional arts to global contemporary dance—the show is playful, raw, and emotional. It’s absurdly funny one moment and deeply moving the next. While laughing at wiggling hips, you suddenly find your heart swept into a journey of story and soul, feeling the heat and vitality of life itself.

This is an alternative theatre experience born out of Japan. We invite you to see for yourself how simplicity can ignite imagination and touch the very core of what it means to be alive.

Crew & Cast:

Chobi Natsuki

Director / Actor

Company Profile:

THE SHOULDER PADS

The theatre company was founded in 2000 by Chobi Natsuki and Maruichiro Maruo while they were students at Kwansei Gakuin University. In 2005, they relocated their base from Osaka to Tokyo, quickly drawing attention with their unconventional approach—living together in a shared house for two years and performing on the streets over 1,000 times annually. Alongside their street performances, they regularly toured nationwide and held theatre productions. Their 2010 work "Superstar" was shortlisted for the prestigious 55th Kishida Kunio Drama Award. In 2013, director Chobi Natsuki studied in Canada for one year as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Overseas Study Program for Upcoming Artists. The company continues to produce one to two major productions annually and is now celebrating its 24th anniversary.

View Website

Performance Record:

2012

PLAYPARK – Japanese Short Stage Festival @ CBGK Shibugeki!!, Tokyo

2012

Fukuoka Theatre Festival @ Nishitetsu Hall, Fukuoka

2020

The Shoulder Pads: Night on the Galactic Railroad / The Boy Detectives @ Owlspot Theatre, Tokyo

2023

The Shoulder Pads: Night on the Galactic Railroad / The Wizard of Oz @ Honda Theatre, Tokyo

This Year's Other Works:

CONTACT:

SOIL is a JPASN project dedicated to bringing Japanese theater to the world.
We serve as the liaison for contracts and communications with international partners and actively promote the participation of Japanese productions in overseas theater festivals. If you have any questions or feedback about SOIL,
please feel free to contact us using our contact form.

CONTACT