The National Diet Library held an event celebrating the National Year of Reading: “Macbeth” -- Lecture and Reading at the Tokyo Main Library on July 17 and at the Kansai-kan on July 19. Theatrical group EN read Shakespeare”s Macbeth and Prof. Akio Kobayashi (Faculty of Humanities, Sophia University) gave a lecture on the work.
Materials related to Shakespeare from the collection of the Tokyo Main Library and the Kansai-kan were exhibited at each venue so that the attendees could deepen their understanding of Shakespeare”s works from various aspects.

• Lecture: Akio Kobayashi (Faculty of Humanities, Sophia University)
• Composition/Direction: Renichi Maekawa (Theatrical group EN)
• Sound: Mai Yamane (Theatrical group EN)
• Reading: Hiroshi Arikawa        Macbeth
                Yoichi Uesugi            Banquo, Macduff, Witch, Gentleman, others
                Kazutoyo Yoshimi     Lady Macbeth, Malcolm, Witch, others
                Kenta Chabana         Murderer, Gentlewoman, Witch, others
                Daisuke Harada        Duncan, the Porter, Ross, Witch, others