“The Mongol Khan” is set to add Japan to its spectacular worldwide success this autumn
Known as “the People’s Writer of Mongolia”, Lkhagvasuren Bavuu wrote this three-act tragedy first titled “The State without Seal” in 1998.
Set in that ancient central Asian land about 2,000 years ago, his story tells how two princes born of different mothers fought a massive battle to decide who will lead their people after the old Khan dies. In fact, though, one of those princes is an imposter put in place in a conspiracy that has forced the legitimate heir to fight for his rightful inheritance. So, in this magnificent epic of love, ambition, betrayal and revenge, audiences become witnesses to a climactic conflict between good and evil taking place right before their eyes .
First staged in 2022 at the 550-seat Mongolian State Academic Theatre in Ulaanbaatar, that production drew a total audience of 105,000 before it transferred — as “The Mongol Khan” — to the renowned Coliseum theatre in London’s West End. There, some of Britain’s top creators, actors and the venue’s staff collaborated with the original Mongolian team to stage a wonderful entertainment radiating Mongolia’s unique artistic and cultural heritage. With its huge and fearsome fire-breathing dragon created by the “Life of Pi”, Tony award-winning puppet designer Nick Barnes, the hit production in that mecca of theatre mesmerized more than 30,000 people during its 15-show run.
Extracts of media comments and reviews from that Coliseum production included:
“An extravaganza where Shakespeare meets Verdi” (Daily Telegraph)
“A combination of a Rio de Janeiro street carnival, the All Blacks’ haka, and .. Cirque du Soleil” (Daily Mail)
“This show, about the glories of an ancient nomadic empire, comes galloping from Mongolia like a magnificently over-the-top cultural Olympia” (The Guardian)
“An unparalleled visual feast” (Theatre Weekly)
After its West End debut, the production moved to Singapore in 2024, where it also gained a wonderful reputation as it drew 30,000 people across 22 stages at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre.
Recently, too, Jstages.com attended a press conference for the upcoming Japan tour of “The Mongol Khan” at which eight people involved in the event made speeches, including the director and executive producer, Hero Baatar; the Ambassador to Japan, Banzragch Bayarsaikhan; the actor and producer Bayra Bela — who played the pivotal role of Queen Tsetser in London, as she will in Japan; and Terunofuji, the Mongolian-born 73rd yokozuna [top-ranked] Sumo wrestler, as the special guest.
Extracts of comments from that press conference included:
* The Ambassador to Japan, Banzragch Bayarsaikhan
“Through this show, I hope that Japanese people will learn about Mongolian culture and customs and the culture of the nomadic people.”
(c) Nobuko Tanaka
* The director and executive producer, Hero Baatar
“Mongolians are a nomadic people and the most important thing for Mongolians is how to live in harmony with nature. The word ‘khan’ in the title ‘The Mongol Khan’ refers to a person who doesn’t have allegiance to individuals, but rather to everyone. Namely, that person works for everyone and for the whole society, and puts aside their own personal desires.
We also introduce a wide range of Mongolian culture on stage through music and dance, and we hope you will enjoy this.”
(c) Nobuko Tanaka
* The actor and producer Bayra Bela
“This show received an average of 4.2 stars or more from critics in the West End. Those reviews were written from different perspectives, such as dance and/or theatre, and they show this is a production packed with a wide variety of elements. Now, too, it is scheduled to play on Broadway and tour a number of cities in the United States in 2026.”
(c) Nobuko Tanaka
* Director of the Tremendous Entertainment (Japan) company, Greg Suzuki
“I first saw this show in London two years ago, and I really wanted to take it to Singapore [where Tremendous Entertainment is based]. Then we managed to get a three-week run at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre there last year. Thanks to everyone’s support, it was the most successful show we’ve ever put on in the last 15 years, attracting audiences of 30,000. This show is a super entertainment, but it is also brilliantly mixed with traditional Mongolian culture, dance and music. I’m sure you’ll be entirely captivated with it from the first moment.”
(c) Nobuko Tanaka
* The 73rd yokozuna [top-ranked] Sumo wrestler and stable master, Terunofuji
“I believe there are lots of Japanese people who have learned about Mongolia through Sumo and I am very happy that this highly acclaimed performance will be presented in Japan this October. I haven’t seen the show yet, but I would like to take my family and, if possible, everyone from my Sumo stable this autumn. Thank you for your support today.”
(c) Nobuko Tanaka
With its 50-plus cast constantly on the move and lots of acrobatics as well as group performances along with beautiful traditional Mongolian music and colourful folk costumes, this grand production is sure to immediately draw audiences into its world on the stage and I, for one, can’t wait to take my seat!
The schedule of the Japan tour:
“The Mongol Khan” runs Oct. 10-20 at the Tokyo International Forum, a 7-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station.
It then runs Oct. 24-26 at Aichi Prefecture Arts Theatre in Nagoya, a 3-minute walk from Sakae Station on the Higashiyama or Meijo Line.
For more details, please visit: https://sunrisetokyo.com/detail/29881/