"A Tale of Sumida River"

Sound Design - Noh:Reimagined

A contemporary reimagining of Sumidagawa, developed by Noh:Reimagined and performed at Kings Place and the Aldeburgh Festival (75th anniversary).

Sumidagawa, written by Kanze Motomasa (c.1394 – 1432), is one of Noh Theatre's greatest masterpieces. A performance of the original traditional Noh preceded by a modern adaptation, "A Tale of Sumida River", in english were shown as part of Noh:Reimagined 2024.

I worked on the newly written english re-telling, collaborating with storyteller Xanthe Gresham Knight to provide sound design and sonic atmosphere, supporting the narrative pacing, vocal delivery, and emotional contour ahead of the main performance.

The focus of this work was on restraint and texture — shaping sound that could sit behind spoken narrative without dominating it, and that could flex with the rhythm of live storytelling. All field recordings were recorded in person in Japan, from temples and forests along the modern Sumida river.

The final production was later performed at Kings Place and Aldeburgh Festival as part of its 75th anniversary programme, receiving a five-star review from The Guardian.

"Sumidagawa" Photograph: Angus Cooke

Co-writer & Storyteller ー Xanthe Gresham-Knight 

Co-writer & Dramaturgy ー Gareth Mattey 

Sound Design & Field Recording ー Carlos Davey

Creative Producer ー Akiko Yanagisawa