The Merry Hatter

Overview

Known for her distinctive style, including the use of jazz (which at the time was considered "trendy" but unsophisticated) Mitsuko Ando appeared on numerous dance programs on both NHK and commercial television from the beginning of Japan's television broadcasting in 1953. "The Merry Hatter" was broadcast in 1957 on NHK's program "Ballet". The work is structured as three short pieces inspired by the hats handled by a milliner, portrayed by Shigeru Fujita, who was also known as a pupil of Eliana Pavlova. The first piece is a group dance performed by female dancers; the second is a duet by Mitsuko Ando and Kan Horiuchi. The third piece, a group dance for men and women, features Tatsumi Hijikata.

- Mitsuko Ando later changed her name to Noriko Ando. "Kunio Hijikata" was later known as Tatsumi Hijikata, and Akiko Zushi was the maiden name of Akiko Ohara, who later founded the Ballet Yuba in Brazil.

Details

Title

The Merry Hatter

Performance creator(s)

Mitsuko Ando Dance Company

Direction/Choreography

Choreography: Mitsuko Ando, Kan Horiuchi

Venue

NHK Studio

Performance date(s)

Aired on 12 July 1957

Performer(s) and staff

Hat shop owner: Shigetu Fujita
Dancers: Mitsuko Ando, Kan Horiuchi, Yooko Tsutusumi, Akiko Zushi, Kunio Hijikata, Ryu Ito, Tatsuko Yuasa, Hajime Iwasaki, Kihei Yamada, Ikuo Oogata, Momoe Tanaka, Eiko Inoue, Machiko Tokunaga, Michiko Honjo, Kiyoko Suzuki, Makiko Kotani, Setsuko Yoshihara, Fumie Takahashi
Script: Kohei Hotomi
Music (piano): Toru Hora
Music (percussion): Makoto Aruga

Genre

Modern