A British Branford Bowes Prize-winning children’s book “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” by Annabel Pitcher has been adapted into stage productions as Office Shika’s first series from “OFFICE SHIKA x Children’s Literature Series.”
“My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” stage adaptation premiered on November 21 and ran until December 1 at CBGK Shibugeki. After the “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” stage play ended, it was later announced that it would be available for online streaming from December 20 until December 22, with Japanese and English subtitles provided. Online streaming for “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” was available on FAMILY CLUB Online for 4000¥ as the ticket price.
Directed by Chobi Natsuki , with a script by Maruichiro Maruo , it features world-famous dancer Shintaro Oue as the choreographer for the stage adaptation, who also takes on the role of Jamie’s family pet, Roger.
Dumpling Box watched the online stream of the stage play with English subtitles, and with the help of lif, we dive into bits of the story and Lil Kansai’s Fuga Onishi‘s portrayal of Jamie.
Lil Kansai’s Fuga Onishi is taking on the role of Jamie, a 10-year-old boy who lost one of his sisters, Rose, and is fighting with his problems together with Rose’s twin sister, Jas. “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” is Fuga’s first lead role in a stage play alone, without his fellow members from Lil Kansai.
With the addition of Fuga changing his hair color and his curly hair, he becomes the perfect 10-year-old boy, Jamie. Not only with his hair, but Fuga’s acting and the way he talks showed great compatibility with the role of Jamie. The gazes that Fuga gives really show that he has put a lot of effort into his act, and all of his hard work resonates with the audience’s hearts.
Besides the stage actors’ incredible acts, the story is heartbreaking about two siblings (Jamie and Jas), who have always been left alone and never seen in their parents’ eyes, making efforts to become visible to them. The ties between Jamie and Jas to protect each other to overcome their problems is really worth being highlighted in this stage play. “The Courage to Fly,” the theme song by Tate Takako, perfects the stage play as it tells a story about the importance of someone else to give ourselves the strength to do anything.
“My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” tells us a story about a family that has complicated problems within themselves. It all started 5 years ago when the family was having fun together in a park, but unfortunately, the fun did not last long. The parents’ most favorite child, Rose, passed away due to a terrorist attack in the form of a bomb, placed by Muslim extremists. It was revealed that multiple terrorist attacks had been happening in various spots in London, and one happened to be placed in a trash bin at the park where the family was.
This was the beginning of a hellish life for Jamie’s family. His and Jas‘ parents are fighting all day; Dad becomes addicted to alcohol, and Mom has an affair with Nigel, and then she ends up leaving the house to have a better life with her affair. Jamie’s family then moves out of London to have a better life and avoid interactions with Muslims, as a result of the incident.
Despite Dad’s wishes, nothing has changed. He remains an alcoholic, unable to move past his grief over Rose. Jamie and Jas continue to live in the shadow of Rose, who passed away five years ago.
When Jamie turns ten, he eagerly waits for two days for a birthday present from Mom—a Spider-Man T-shirt. He wears it every day, holding onto the hope that one day he’ll see his mom again, wearing the gift she gave him.
Jamie begins his new life by starting school, where he meets Sunya, a friendly Muslim girl who is the first to talk to him—and the only one who doesn’t bully him. Sunya playfully calls herself Spider-girl after noticing Jamie wearing a Spider-Man T-shirt. At first, Jamie tries to keep his distance from her because she is Muslim, but as they face various challenges together, they gradually grow closer.
One day, Sunya gives Jamie a ring made from Blu-Tack, sealing their bond as a Spider-Man and Spider-Girl duo. They go trick-or-treating together, and Jamie visits Sunya’s home, where he meets her family. To his surprise, they are warm and ordinary—nothing like the hostile image his father had described.
Yet, despite their growing friendship, Jamie can’t shake the shadow of Rose’s death. Whenever he is with Sunya, the memory lingers, leaving him torn and uneasy about getting too close.
Another fight breaks out between Jas and Dad when she comes home late. However, this argument sparks a gradual change in Dad. Jamie notices small shifts—Dad starts caring more about the family, preparing dinner, drinking less, and even taking Jamie and Jas to school.
As Parents’ Evening approaches at school, Jamie writes another letter to his mom, hoping she will come. His desire to see her never fades. But no matter how long he waits, she never shows.
Dad attends instead and eventually discovers that Jamie lied to his teacher about their family situation. At school, Dad encounters Sunya’s family and lashes out, accusing all Muslims of being terrorists who killed his daughter. His harsh words leave Sunya in tears, and afterward, she begins to distance herself from Jamie.
When Dad learns that Jamie has a Muslim friend, he reverts to his old ways—becoming consumed by grief over Rose, neglecting Jamie and Jas once more.
Longing for their parents’ attention, Jamie and Jas decide to audition for a talent show. Once again, they invite their mom and dad, hoping to prove they deserve love just as much as Rose did. Craving a family that feels whole, Jas sings with all her heart while Jamie dances beside her.
As they watch the other contestants, doubt creeps in, and they begin to feel small. Frustration leads to an argument—Jas believes it’s pointless. She’s convinced Dad will be too hungover, and Mom won’t come, just like every other time they’ve sent letters. In the end, Jas decides to perform not for their parents, but for Jamie—for them.
They take the stage and perform “The Courage to Fly.” However, at the start of the performance, the judges stop Jamie, dismissing his dancing as “lame,” and let Jas continue singing alone. Jas’s powerful voice earns her a spot in the next round, but when she hears she passed without Jamie, she rejects the offer.
“Families should stick together,” she says, standing by her brother.
After the audition, Jas and Jamie finally meet their mom. At first, they barely recognize her—she looks so different from how Jamie remembers. Her clothes, her appearance, even her tan skin—it’s all unfamiliar. But as Jamie looks closer, he recognizes the hands that once cooked his meals and cared for him.
It’s a long-awaited moment for Jamie, standing there in his Spider-Man shirt—the one he thought his mom had given him. He eagerly tells her everything she’s missed. But her reaction isn’t what he hoped for. Her eyes don’t light up with warmth or regret. Instead, she lets them go easily and returns to London.
When Jamie and Jas learn that their mom didn’t visit because she’s been traveling with Nigel, the realization stings. They feel unwanted. Worse, we discover the truth—his treasured Spider-Man T-shirt wasn’t a gift from his mom. Jas had given it to him.
In that moment, they understand something important. It’s their dad, despite his flaws, who has stayed by their side. He’s the one who truly cares, doing his best to build a better life for them, even if it’s not perfect.
Another heartbreaking event strikes Jamie when he discovers that his beloved cat, Roger—the one who was always by his side—has been hit by a car. It’s the first time Jamie experiences the pain of losing something he truly loves. Roger, who used to cling to him and rub his fur affectionately against Jamie, is gone.
Jamie regrets going to the talent show, feeling guilty that he wasn’t there to say goodbye. The loss weighs heavily on him. Alone in the cold winter, he cradles Roger’s lifeless body and cries, sharing the story of what happened at the audition as if Roger could still listen.
Meanwhile, with Dad finally letting go of Rose, he scatters her ashes into the sky—just as Roger is gently laid to rest.
Winter break ends, and Jamie returns to school, still facing bullying from his classmates. When asked to share a story about his break, Jamie chooses not to lie this time. He openly talks about Jas’s Christmas present, the talent contest, and Roger’s passing.
“Dad’s not perfect, and neither am I. But he’s done a million times better than Mom,” Jamie realizes, reflecting on the moment his mom came to the talent show.
After class, Jamie notices Sunya being bullied. Drawing strength from his admiration for Jas, he steps in to help—determined to be the superhero he believes he can be. Jamie stands his ground, even as the bullies beat him up. Refusing to back down, his persistence leaves Sunya deeply moved.
In an unexpected gesture of trust, Sunya removes her hijab, revealing her hair to Jamie—something she has never shown to anyone outside her family. Jamie, stunned by the sight of this hidden part of Sunya, gently kisses her cheek, overwhelmed by the moment and their connection.
The stage play concludes with Jamie realizing that his Spider-Man T-shirt wasn’t a gift from Mom, but from Jas—and that truth brings him more happiness than he expected.
As a gesture of love and gratitude, Jamie gives Jas a teddy bear to replace Burt, her beloved childhood toy. To make it special, he even pulled out the bear’s eyes to match Burt’s worn appearance.
“The Courage to Fly,” the song Jas performed, perfectly reflects how Jamie feels about her—a symbol of strength, love, and the bond that keeps them going.
From the moment Fuga stepped onto the stage, it was clear he had transformed into a completely different person. While Fuga often carries a playful, childlike energy in real life, his portrayal of Jamie in “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” felt strikingly genuine—capturing the innocence of a ten-year-old boy who talks endlessly about his love for Spider-Man and Wayne Rooney. His performance reflected the immense effort he put into perfecting the role. This was undoubtedly Fuga’s most dedicated and challenging stage production to date, surpassing his previous works. His growth as an actor since his appearance in One ANOTHER with other Lil Kansai members was evident.
The stage play itself pushed creative boundaries by incorporating the audience’s space into the performance. The actors used the hallways, making the musical feel immersive and three-dimensional. As the performers walked beside the audience, their voices and even their presence felt close and intimate, adding to the emotional impact of the show.
Fuga’s entrance along the aisles, symbolizing the family’s journey from London, left a powerful impression. His captivating performance truly showcased his depth as an actor. One of the standout elements was the way Fuga’s interactions and harmonization with his on-stage sister felt so natural and heartfelt. His use of a deeper, more grounded voice during the performance was a noticeable shift from his usual sweet singing tone—further highlighting his versatility and growth as a performer.
Lil Kansai members Takuya Nishimura and Kotaro Okazaki attended “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” to support Fuga in his first lead stage play. Takuya was deeply moved, shedding tears throughout the performance, while Kotaro held back—partly because Takuya was already crying so much. Both were incredibly proud of Fuga, impressed by how much he had grown and how flawlessly he carried the role.
After the performance, Takuya rushed to hug Fuga, but by then, the innocent Jamie had disappeared—replaced by Fuga’s usual tsundere self. True to form, Fuga dodged the embrace. Still wanting to show his support, Takuya gifted Fuga an Anpanman hero gummy, red soda, and sushi—small rewards for all the hard work he poured into “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece.”
The stage adaptation of “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” stands out as a moving and powerful production that blends heartfelt storytelling with immersive theatrical techniques. Through the lens of Jamie’s journey, the play touches on themes of loss, healing, and the enduring bonds of family.
It’s truly an emotional play at its core, giving us a glimpse into the reality of the Matthews family and how they each deal with the grief of losing Rose, and how the incident shaped their whole lives. Grief and loss come in different forms and are different for everyone.
Fuga Onishi’s performance as Jamie marks a significant milestone in his career, demonstrating his growth as an actor and his ability to fully embody the complexities of the character. His portrayal resonated deeply with audiences, and the support from his Lil Kansai members underscored the strong camaraderie and pride they share.
The production’s use of audience spaces and the emotional connection forged between actors and viewers created a uniquely intimate experience. Coupled with the touching performances and a narrative that delicately balances grief with hope, “My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece” leaves a lasting impression on all who witness it.
As the stage lights fade, Jamie’s story reminds us that even in the face of loss and hardship, love, resilience, and family—no matter how imperfect—can help us find the courage to fly.