Hokkaido Playwright Award Winner 'Chekhov is also the Name of a Bird' to Premiere in Kyoto, July 2026

The acclaimed play 'Chekhov is also the Name of a Bird,' produced by the Kyoto-based Knit Cap Theater, will be performed at the Kyoto Prefectural Center for Arts and Culture from July 17 to July 19, 2026. Written and directed by Gomanohae, the play premiered in 2019 and received the prestigious Hokkaido Playwright Award (Grand Prize) in February 2023. Following a successful tour in Hokkaido in 2024, the production will finally be staged in the company's home city of Kyoto.

The story is set on the island of Sakhalin (Karafuto), situated between Japan and Russia. It is a 100-year chronicle following the lives of Russians, Japanese, Koreans, and indigenous peoples like the Ainu and Nivkh. The narrative interweaves the perspectives of historical figures such as Anton Chekhov and Kenji Miyazawa, who once visited the island, depicting people's resilience amidst geopolitical shifts.

Tickets are currently on sale through the Confetti ticketing service. Gomanohae, the playwright and director, expressed his excitement, noting that the work has evolved significantly over the seven years since its premiere. In addition to the Kyoto performances, a staging in Sapporo is planned as part of the Sapporo Theater Season 2026.