Two Japanese language interpretations of Charles Dickens timeless Christmas story,A Christmas Carol, and The Nutcracker are being staged in Tokyo during December.

A Christmas Carol starring Masahiko Tanaka and Mika Doi is being presented at the Sanbyakunin Gekijo Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. Performances are Dec. 12, 15, 16, 18, 22-24, at 7 p.m. , Dec. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. , Dec. 14, 17, 21, 23 , 25 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. For tickets and inf. call the Sanbyakunin Gekijo at (03) 3944-545

For a lighter interpretation Scrooge starring Ichimura Masachika, Tadashi Nishikawa, Satoshi Kishida and Hijiri Kojima is being offered by the Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo in Toshima Ward until Dec. 25.

Ichimura, who played The Engineer in the Japanese production of Miss Saigon and the Phantom of the Opera in the Tokyo production of the Lloyd-Webber musical, stars as Scrooge.

Performances are Nov. 29, 5 p.m. Nov. 30, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 2, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. Dec. 3, 9 and Fridays, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and 24, 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. No performance on Dec. 8 and 16. Starring Tadashi Nishikawa, Satoshi Kishida and Hijiri Kojima. Call (03) 3476-0011 (Japanese) for more information.

Fans of another traditional Christmas show The Nutcracker have a lot to choose from. The Matsuyama Ballet will stage a two performances featuring Yoko Morishita and Tetsutaro Shimizu. The first will be held at Katsushika Symphony Hills on Dec. 12 at 6:30 Ticket inf. (03) 5670-2233. The second performance will be held at Kanagawa Kemin Hall on Dec.19 at 6:30 . Call Jimukyoku at (03) 3408-6640

The Tokyo Ballet under the direction of Tadatugu Sasaki will also perform The Nutcracker at Kani Hoken Hall, Gotanda, Tokyo on Dec. 18 and 19, at 6:30 p.m. This production features Yukie Iwaki, Kazuo Kimura, Yuko Arai and Yasuyuki Sudo. Call (03) 3725-8888 for additional information.

--By Carter Witt
Japanese Correspondent