BALLET & DANCE City Lights

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Detail

DETAILS
This production presents the world premiere of a ballet based on City Lights, the classic comedy film created─directed, written, produced, and performed─by Charles Chaplin, the beloved "King of Comedy" who produced countless masterpieces in the early days of cinema.

Still cherished today as one of Chaplin's most famous works, portraying laughter, sorrow, and selfless love, this film has now been reimagined as a ballet by English choreographer Alastair Marriott. City Lights also marked Chaplin's first-ever original film score, composed for his 1931 silent film accompanied only by music and sound. For this production, the score has been newly adapted for live orchestral performance by Chaplin music expert Timothy Brock.

Come discover how this timeless romantic comedy is brought to the stage through Marriott's choreography, created together with the award-winning Dick Bird and Ellen Ruge. Marriott also previously worked on the revised choreography for Miyako Yoshida's production of Giselle at the National Ballet of Japan.

SYNOPSIS
The ballet City Lights is based on one of Charlie Chaplin’s most tender and enduring masterpieces, a film that speaks directly to the heart without ever needing spoken words. At its core is the Tramp—Chaplin’s iconic, gentle wanderer— who stumbles through life with a mix of awkwardness, dignity, and unshakeable hope. In this story, he encounters a blind flower girl who mistakes him for a wealthy gentleman. Moved by her kindness and fragility, he becomes determined to help her, not out of vanity, but out of a deep and selfless love.
At the same time, the Tramp befriends a millionaire after saving his life, however the millionaire only recognises the tramp when drunk, creating a bittersweet cycle of generosity followed by cold rejection. Through these encounters, the tramp explores the contrasts between wealth and poverty, illusion and reality, and the quiet heroism of those who give more than they have.
The Tramp’s mission becomes raising enough money to stop the eviction of the blind flower girl and her grandmother and to restore the girl’s sight leading to both comedic misadventures and moments of profound sacrifice including taking a job as a road sweeper and an amateur boxer. By the ballet’s end—after hardship, the tramp’s imprisonment, and heartbreak—the girl regains her vision. When she finally sees the Tramp as he truly is, the recognition between them is gentle, uncertain, and achingly human.
Set in a city poised between the last sparkle of the Roaring Twenties and the emerging Great Depression, City Lights is a story of love that transcends appearances, kindness that survives humiliation, and hope that endures even when life is at its hardest. City Lights is not just a comedy; it is a timeless story of compassion.
— Alastair Marriott

CREATIVE TEAM
Choreography by Alastair MARRIOTT
Story based on the original scenario by Charles CHAPLIN
Music by Charles CHAPLIN
except La Violetera by José PADILLA
Orchestration and musical adaptations by Timothy BROCK
Set and Costume Designer: Dick BIRD
Lighting Designer: Ellen RUGE

CAST
24 October 13:00
Little Tramp: ISHIYAMA Ren
Blind Girl: SHIBAYAMA Saho
Millionaire: CHO Jaebum
Movie Stars: YOSHIDA Akari, WATANABE Takafumi

28 October 13:00
Little Tramp: MIZUI Shunsuke
Blind Girl: HIGASHI Maho
Millionaire: NAKAYA Masahiro
Movie Stars: NEGISHI Yui, IZAWA Shun

29 October 19:00
Little Tramp: KINOSHITA Yoshito
Blind Girl: ONO Ayako
Millionaire: KOSHIBA Fukunobu
Movie Stars: YAMAMOTO Suzu, HAYAMI Shogo

30 October 14:00
Little Tramp: OKUMURA Kosuke
Blind Girl: YONEZAWA Yui
Millionaire: NAKAYA Masahiro
Movie Stars: NEGISHI Yui, IZAWA Shun

31 October 13:00
Little Tramp: ISHIYAMA Ren
Blind Girl: SHIBAYAMA Saho
Millionaire: CHO Jaebum
Movie Stars: YOSHIDA Akari, WATANABE Takafumi

Conductor:
Timothy BROCK (23, 24M, 25, 30, 1)
TOMITA Misato (24E, 28, 29, 31)

Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic

Please Note
Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium unless there is a suitable break or interval.
No admittance to children under 4. Each child older than this age requires a ticket for entry, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Tickets may not be changed or refunded except in the case of a cancelled performance.
A special discount price is available for disabled guests. Please inquire at the Box Office for details.
Users of wheelchairs are requested to contact the Box Office.
Please note that cast or programme change may be required depending on the situation.

CITY LIGHTS © Roy Export S.A.S. All Rights Reserved.
Charlie Chaplin™ © Bubbles Incorporated SA 2026

Website

https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/ballet/citylights/

Appearance

Staff

Schedule

2026.10.23. (Fri) 〜2026.11.1. (Sun)

Sales period

Price

S seat・C seat(General／Under 15s)

［Price List］
￥17,600／￥14,080・￥8,800／￥7,040

Event code

17825

Shops

Shimokitazawa／kabukicho_tower／Tourist Information NAMBA／Osaka Tsutenkaku／TKTS SHIBU HACHI BOX ／GINZA／asakusa-culture-tic／Shinjuku Tourist Information／FUKUOKA TENJIN

*Due to popular demand, ticket availability may vary per day. We apologize for any inconvenience.