Takizawa Kabuki: This modern kabuki has muscles

Takizawa Kabuki presents a modern take on the traditional Japanese theatre form of kabuki at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this August. Photo: MBS

Japanese actor-singer Hideaki Takizawa says his shoulders have grown broader as a result of his his gruelling stage show that has been held annually in Japan for the past 10 years.

“Because the performance is so strenuous, I gained weight and I became more muscular. My shoulders have broadened by 3cm throughout the production. I trouble the costume designers (for my measurement) every year,” says the 33-year-old star of the theatre show Takizawa Kabuki that is named after him.