Inspired by the work of one of the most important Japanese writers of the twentieth century, Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, Shun-kin tells a tale of devotion, passion and power, where beauty is unforgiving and love is blinding.

Moving between the neon glow of Japan and the vanished world of Meiji, Shun-kin discovers the moments of light in a world of darkness. Emerging from traditional Japanese culture, this powerful performance shows us just how close beauty and violence can really be.

Under the artistic direction of Simon McBurney, Complicite is one of the world’s leading theatre companies. Shun-kin is its second collaboration with the Setagaya Public Theatre, Tokyo. Performed by an entirely Japanese cast including film actress Eri Fukatsu, the production opened with a short sell-out run in Tokyo in February 2008.

Complicite returns the the Barbican following much success with the multi-award winning A Disapperaring Number and the critically acclaimed The Elephant Vanishes.

Shun-kin is performed in Japanese with English surtitles, and is suitable for theatregoers aged 14 and older.

For more about Shun-kin at the Barbican theatre, please read the First Night Feature.