Where we stand
A three-act telling of the Gotō martyrs and Kakure Kirishitan, staged for one evening in a 200-seat hall. The budget below is offered in three levels so the group can choose the scale, and in phases so we commit what is urgent now and raise the rest over the fifteen months to opening night.
Three ways to stage it
The story itself is austere, so even the lean staging can move an audience. What climbs the cost is period accuracy: the moment officials, shoguns and samurai enter, you need tailored costumes, armour and Edo-period wigs. Each level below says plainly what you get and what you give up.
The numbers
Phase 1 is identical at every level. Phases 2 and 3 vary by level and are raised across the runway to performance.
Higher tiers buy period accuracy and craftsmanship, not more performers. The cast is largely volunteer and roughly the same size at every level; what climbs is how much is made rather than sourced, and how much period detail we commit to.
Driven by period accuracy, not headcount. Lean dresses the cast as impoverished peasants in simple farm wear, mostly sourced. Moderate tailors accurate costumes for the officials and samurai who interrogate them. Full adds samurai armour and dresses the wider cast to period.
Lean suggests each setting with a few flats: a rocky shore, a hidden prayer room. Moderate builds a proper backdrop and a fuller prop set. Full constructs richer multi-scene sets with the complete inventory: the Maria-Kannon, the fumie test plates, lanterns, nets and farming tools.
The driver is wigs. Lean styles the women in hair donuts and extensions and keeps wigs minimal. Moderate buys quality Edo-period wigs, chonmage and nihongami, for the key roles. Full wigs and adds facial hair across the cast for full accuracy.
Each performance seats up to 200. More shows lift income but add venue cost (about ¥600,000 per extra day at TUC); the budget models 1.5 venue days.
Open decisions
Carried from the 5 July working-group minutes. Set a due date and change the status live; done items strike through. Your changes are saved in this browser.
The runway
- Jul 2026Budget approved in principle; commit Phase 1 (writer and venue).
- 2026 H2Libretto and script written with Gareth; music themes composed.
- Early 2027Casting from the parish; secure sponsorship for Phases 2 and 3.
- 2027 H1 to H2Rehearsals at FCC (free); source costumes, props, hair and makeup.
- Oct 2027TUC 1.5-day tech and dress; marketing and ticket push.
- Fri 22 Oct 2027Performance at Tokyo Union Church.
The working group
Against the recommended Moderate target. Static snapshot; update as pledges arrive.