The Paris-based International Theatre Institute is once again offering half-price kabuki tickets for foreigners living in Japan following its successful November campaign.

The "December Grand Kabuki" will take place Dec. 18, 19 and 20 and includes a performance of "Funabenkei," featuring onnagata superstar Bando Tamasaburo. He plays the roles of both Shizuka and Tomomori in "Funabenkei," a play that follows the young general Yoshitsune, who, despite winning a war against the Heike clan, is out of favor with his shogun brother and decides to flee.

Another well-known kabuki contemporary of Tamasaburo, Nakamura Kanzaburo, can be seen on the same evening as part of the same program in "Matsuura no Taiko," set on the theme of the revenge of the 47 royal retainers, the group of samurai left leaderless after the ritual suicide of their master.

The program starts at 4:30 p.m. and takes place at the Kabuki-za Theater, 4-12-5 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo. Kabuki-za has been staging kabuki since 1889.

To apply for half-price tickets (7,350 yen), please email [email protected] including your name, address, phone number, and number of tickets required. The deadline is Nov. 23. Those who have won tickets will be informed of their reservation number and the bank details of the ITI Japan Centre.

For general inquiries in English, call (090) 4396-1268 between 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or alternatively visit www.ceres.dti.ne.jp/~iti/