The 2nd 'Ikinari Honyomi!' Script Award Ceremony to be held at New Sannai!

The popular stage project 'Ikinari Honyomi!' (Read-through on the Spot), produced by theater director Hideto Iwai, will hold the award ceremony for the '2nd Ikinari Honyomi! Script Award' at New Sannai on July 13 (Mon).

Established last year, the 'Ikinari Honyomi! Script Award' aims to discover excellent original scripts for the project and foster encounters with new talent. The grand prize, which currently carries a 1-million yen reward, has become a topic of conversation among playwriting awards for its generous benefit. The ceremony will feature the announcement of results and critiques, followed by the premiere performance of the grand prize-winning work. Cast members tasked with performing the winning script for the first time on this day include Yusuke Itagaki, Kieko Koiizuka, and Tsugumi.

Following last year's absence of a grand prize winner, will a new playwright emerge to claim the 1-million yen rollover prize? How will the brand-new story unfold under Iwai's direction with the unique cast? We invite you to witness the momentous birth of a new playwright.

What is 'Ikinari Honyomi!'?

'Ikinari Honyomi!' is a 'live cold-reading' performance born from Hideto Iwai's concept: 'Rehearsals are always more interesting than finished performances!' The script is kept secret until the day of. On stage, actors who open the script for the first time perform various roles under Iwai's guidance. It is a 'brand-new theatrical experience' where the roles of 'actor,' 'script,' and 'direction' intertwine to dynamically create a drama in real-time.

Official website: https://ware.mobi/ikinarihonyomi/

About the 'Ikinari Honyomi! Script Award'

This award was established to discover original scripts for the project and to encounter new talent. Results for the second award will be announced in late June 2026 on the following site:

Special site: https://gamma.app/docs/-zjhgjfd0uezohms?mode=doc

Comment from Hideto Iwai

Hello, this is Iwai.

This is the second year of the award, and the grand prize, including the 1-million yen rollover prize, will be announced. Once again, amazing cast members will take on a freshly born winning script. I, too, will approach the performance without knowing how I will direct it. The actors, the audience, and I will encounter the work from scratch and build the story on the spot. It will be the epitome of an 'Ikinari Honyomi!' event. We have also prepared the 'You're a Reader Too! Seat.' I have a feeling it will be incredibly interesting. See you at the venue!

Hideto Iwai (Writer/Director)

Formed the theater company Haibai in 2003. Recipient of the 30th Mukoda Kuniko Award and the 57th Kishida Kunio Drama Award. Known for the nationwide project 'Wareware no Moromoro.'

Event Overview

The 2nd 'Ikinari Honyomi!' Script Award Ceremony at New Sannai

Date: July 13, 2026 (Mon). Doors open 18:00 / Start 19:00 (2.5 hours, including intermission) Venue: New Sannai, Fuji-machi Bldg B1, 5-26-9 Yayoi-cho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo. Host/Director: Hideto Iwai Cast: Yusuke Itagaki, Kieko Koiizuka, Tsugumi Planning/Production: WARE Co., Ltd.

Note: New Sannai is a restaurant owned by actor Keiya Yamauchi. Food and drinks can be ordered (cash only).