Gear is a non-verbal theater where the performance uses no words. Pantomime, magic, breakdance, juggling, etc. are combined with projection mapping technology in this original new entertainment made in Japan.
The touching story begins in an abandoned toy factory in the future. Doll, one of the dolls used to be produced there, meets Roboroids, human-shaped worker robots at the factory, and the interaction with them helps Doll become more humanized.
Besides the performance that doesn’t depend on words and the sophisticated story, each character is played by multiple casts, which leads to attractive, different combinations of roles in each performance - about 3600 kinds in total.
More than 3,000 performances have been done in the past 10 years, attracting more than 250,000 visitors. After breaking the record for small theater performances, it is still going strong, offering entertainment like nothing else. This is not a boom but one established culture in Kyoto.
The attraction is not just the performing arts. The 1928 Building, which houses the permanent small theater art complex, is a retro architecture designed by Goichi Takeda and completed in 1928. This Kyoto City's registered cultural property is said to be the masterpiece of Goichi Takeda. Not only those interested in architecture, but also regular visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Art Deco style building.
Highlights
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The first non-verbal theater originated in Japan.
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The small theater is entering its 10th year, which is the longest run in Japan’s small theater history.
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Outstanding performance of pantomime, magic, breakdance, juggling, etc.
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A realistic stage set that is really close to the audience is the advantage of this permanent small theater.
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The retro building that houses the theater is the masterpiece by Goichi Takeda.
