Susumu Matahira

In 1986, Matahira invited Britain's Lindsay Kemp Company — then celebrated across Europe — to Japan, realizing the Tokyo production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The staging created a sensation across the worlds of theatre, ballet, and fashion. He went on to produce the company's subsequent Japan tours with remarkable dedication, presenting revivals of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" alongside "Flowers," "The Big Parade," "Alice," "Onnagata," and "Cinderella" to wide acclaim.

In 1992, he produced Kafka's "Metamorphosis" — directed by Steven Berkoff and previously acclaimed on Broadway with Mikhail Baryshnikov and in Paris with Roman Polanski — casting Amon Miyamoto and Mari Natsuki in an all-Japanese production.

In 1994, Matahira established a second base in London's West End, the Mecca of world theatre. "Brighton Beach Scumbag," co-produced with Steven Berkoff, became his first UK production. That same year he became the first Japanese producer certified as a member of the Society of London Theatre, firmly establishing his presence on the international stage.

In 1995, he produced both the West End and Japan premieres of "Unforgettable — The Nat King Cole Story," chronicling the life of the legendary singer. The production was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards, one of the world's most prestigious theatrical honours — the first time a work involving a Japanese producer had been nominated for this distinguished award. He also brought the Olivier-winning "Hot Shoe Shuffle" to Japan that same year.

In 1997, he produced "Tap Dogs," the West End smash hit, igniting a tap dance boom in Japan. In London, he adapted Raymond Briggs' "The Snowman" into a musical, which became a long-running hit in the UK.

From 1998 into the early 21st century, his productions included Sweden's national Cullberg Ballet, flamenco guitar legend Paco de Lucia, pianist David Helfgott (the inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film "Shine"), the Maria Pages Dance Company, South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir, the musical "Umoja," and the "Spanish Passion Ballet GALA" bringing Spain's leading artists together on one stage. From 2010 to the present, he has invited and produced the American "Glory Gospel Singers" every year, sparking and sustaining a gospel music boom in Japan.

In 2008, he brought back the Lindsay Kemp Company after a 13-year absence with "Elizabeth I — The Last Dance," the culminating work of the "magician of the stage," generating enormous excitement.

In 2010, reuniting with his longtime collaborator Steven Berkoff, he produced a new staging of Kafka's "Metamorphosis" starring Mirai Moriyama to tremendous success. In recent years, his successive productions of the Alfred Hause Tango Orchestra, the Perez Prado Orchestra, and the Billy Vaughn Orchestra toured nationwide and revived the easy listening boom in Japan.

In 2017, he achieved the triumphant Japan debut of IL VOLO, the young Italian three-tenor sensation beloved across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Subsequent tours in 2019 and 2022 electrified Japanese fans, and a fourth Japan tour is currently in preparation for next spring.

In 2022, seeking to revive the dream of the legendary "Three Tenors," he produced a one-night-only Japan concert featuring Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras — their first joint Japan performance in 20 years — drawing worldwide attention. The same year, he staged the Japan solo debut of Elina Garanca, one of the world's most celebrated contemporary opera singers, more than meeting the expectations of her devoted fans.

As a film work, he conceived, directed, and produced "IL VOLO in Kiyomizu-dera — Kyoto World Heritage Live," released in Shochiku cinemas nationwide in early 2024.