Japanese with English surtitles

Secrets. Desires. Obsessions.

A rich, manipulative mistress. A submissive, dutiful servant. A test of love and its unknown depths. Come unveil Shun-kin’s shadowy world in this elegant and powerful work of theatre.

Based on the writings of one of the foremost writers of modern Japanese literature, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Shun-kin tells of the beautiful eponymous shamisen prodigy who, blinded at a young age, is destined to live in constant darkness. Spoilt and cruel, she demands that her servant, Sasuke, respond to her every whim and fancy. As they grow older, they develop a relationship that challenges conventions of love, devotion and sacrifice.

Shun-kin is performed by an all-Japanese cast – including film actress Eri Fukatsu, celebrated actor Yoshi Oida and master shamisen player Honjoh Hidetaro. Created by Complicite, one of the world's leading theatre companies, and directed by Simon McBurney, this is the first presentation of the 3 Titans of Theatre, which includes Yukio Ninagawa’s Musashi and Peter Brook’s The Suit.