Musical 'Lady Bess' to be Revived in 2026, Starring Nogizaka46's Iroha Okuda and Mayuko Kominami

The musical 'Lady Bess' is set to return in February 2026, starting at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, followed by performances at the Hakataza in Fukuoka and the Misonoza in Aichi. This revival, the first in eight years since its 2017 run, will feature Iroha Okuda of Nogizaka46 and Mayuko Kominami in a double-cast lead role as Lady Bess.

The announcement sparked a huge reaction on social media, with many fans expressing joy and anticipation. In particular, Iroha Okuda's casting drew surprised and supportive comments such as 'It's Iroha!' and 'Quite impressive!'. Fans of Mayuko Kominami also conveyed their enthusiasm, saying, 'Absolutely must see Kominami-san as Lady Bess!'

Details such as the full cast, performance schedule, cast schedule, event schedule (including post-show talks), ticket release information, and national tour dates have been released by Toho Stage Department, further heightening fan expectations. The star-studded cast includes Shōtarō Arisawa, Akito Tejima, Hitomi Arisa, Rie Yoshizawa, Kensuke Takahashi, and more. Comments like 'So many familiar names' and 'Feels considerably rejuvenated' have been heard. Particular attention has been drawn to the numerous cast members who also appeared in '1789 - Les Amants de la Bastille -'.

On the other hand, some fans of the previous production expressed confusion and disappointment, with comments such as 'Has it skipped a generation and undergone a complete cast change?' 'Give us back our generation!' and 'The cast isn't what I expected... maybe I'll skip it.' There were also questions about the spelling, with some asking, 'Is it Lady Bess or Laydy Bess? I wish they'd clarify that.'

Directed by Shuichiro Koike, the musical depicts the early life of Queen Elizabeth I. As 'Lady Bess' returns after an eight-year hiatus with a new cast, anticipation is high for the emotions it will evoke when it opens in 2026.

The context

'Lady Bess' is a highly acclaimed Japanese musical, originally premiered in 2014, depicting the struggles of Elizabeth I before her ascension to the throne. It features music by Sylvester Levay and lyrics by Michael Kunze, the successful duo behind other major Japanese musicals like 'Elisabeth' and 'Mozart!'.

Nogizaka46 is one of Japan's most popular female idol groups, and members often branch out into acting roles, including musicals, demonstrating their versatility and appeal.

The Nissay Theatre (Tokyo), Hakataza (Fukuoka), and Misonoza (Aichi) are prestigious theaters in Japan, known for hosting major musical productions and attracting large audiences.

Toho Stage Department is a leading producer of theatrical works in Japan, responsible for many blockbuster musicals and plays, often bringing international hits to Japanese stages or developing original productions.

Shuichiro Koike is a prolific and highly respected director in the Japanese musical theatre scene, known for his grand-scale productions and his ability to draw powerful performances from his casts.

The mention of '1789 - Les Amants de la Bastille -' indicates a connection to another popular French musical that has had successful Japanese productions, suggesting a common pool of talented performers frequently cast by major Japanese theatrical companies like Toho.