Narrow Road to the Deep North

Set in Japan during the late Edo period, the Buddhist poet Basho travels searching for enlightenment. He comes across a city ruled by a tyrannical overlord called Shogo, and manages to gain his confidence. As a result he is given the son of the emperor that Shogo overthrew to look after, and they leave the city, heading for the deep north. When he returns it is with the Commodore and his devout sister, who bring both Christianity and cannon… This satirical play by Edward Bond may be a damning indictment of British Imperialism or a wider piece examining the morals and motivations of rulers, be they vicious tyrants or evangelizing colonisers…

Cast