(no subject)
Quite a while back, I posted a translation of Ohno's interview in the Amatsukaze pamphlet. I came back across the file today and wasn't overly happy with it in places, so I've re-translated it and cleaned up some of the really, really awkward phrasings.
So, here we go again /laugh
Q. At last, it's the fourth play in the "Puu series", isn't it?
A. Some months ago, I sent a text to Kida saying that "We should go out eating together sometime!". After that, he sent a message back saying "Yeah, we should. I have something I want to talk about with you, too", so I was really kind of ... worried. When I think about it now, it's obvious that he wanted to talk about "Amatsukaze", right? But at that time, I had a completely different thought, so my reaction was basically "what is it?!" (laugh). I thought the series had been concluded with the most recent play, "Tensei Kunpuu", but since Amatsukaze is the prequel to the first play, "Sengokupuu" and so the first installment, it's really interesting. Beyond that, I'm really glad that I get to work with Kida and everyone again, and make some great new memories.
Q. It's already been five years since the beginnings of the series, with "Sengokupuu", hasn't it?
A. Amatsukaze, I think, has been capable of bringing back all the memories of rehearsing and performing Sengokupuu -- it's been incredibly similar, so of course, it's also been really nostalgic -- during the rehearsals, in just a moment, the feelings and experiences of "Sengokupuu" are brought back. At any rate, "Sengokupuu" was completely frantic. I was completely lost and absorbed in it. At that point though, I didn't expect it to turn into a series, so I'm really happy that it has. It's really something that comes together with the work of the cast, the staff, and just everyone. It's not something that one person would be able to do by themselves, and so, for that reason, I'm truly grateful to everyone involved.
Q. This time, you're acting as the character "Nagi". What kind of feelings do you have about him?
A. Within the "Puu" series, regardless of the role that I've been given, I don't think there's been a character that I've felt entirely disconnected from -- each time, Kida has been able to draw various and different parts of me and my feelings out. This time, the stoic and strong-willed 'Nagi' is at first glance, I think, my complete opposite, but inside there's a lot of passion so I feel as if there's some similarity there -- the feelings of passion that I tend to keep to myself, Kida draws out one by one. Particularly at the time of "Bakumatsuu Banpuu" when I saw (my) "passionate self", even I was really surprised since it was the first time that I had been passionate to that extent. The roles of Bakumatsu Banpuu's Okita Souji, Sengokupuu's Fuusuke, Tensei Kunpuu's Kaoru and now Amatsukaze's Nagi have all had a common thread -- they're always struggling up until the last moment. Do you mean, in what way will that be expressed this time? Even I'm going to have to wait and look forward to the actual performance.
Q. Out of interest, with regards to doubles, even if it was just once, what did you have a double for?
A. A double...? I don't have one. I do everything by myself!!
Q. Shirami (Kida Tsuyoshi's character) says "there are a lot of things that I want to do with this money!" but, for you, if you ever found yourself dizzied by your own money, what would you spend it on?
A. Since I don't really spend much money... Aaah... I'd give it all to my family! (laugh).
Q. The play has the steadfast notion that "the necessary power to live through the war is... ruthlessness". What do you think is necessary to survive live through the twenty-first century?
A. I think there are a lot of things -- the feelings of thanks and gratitude, to be considerate and thougtful, (the ablity to) work with others. ...Somehow, they sound like things that would be listed at middle school (laugh).
Q. Do you remember the last time you well and truly cried?
A. The last time I really cried was... I can't remember. No, that's wrong -- it was at the final performance of "Tensei Kunpuu". When it comes to my private life, I don't really cry.
Q. Is there anything you want to achieve with this performance?
A. That's something I think about each time, but I think that the amazing feeling of achievement that comes around with the final performances are really the best. Particularly with the last play, we performed for the first time at Aoyama's theatre, the teamwork that went into that performance and into making it happen was completely amazing. It's not a feeling of winning and losing, but that as long as you have "the power of a team", you'll succeed. It's not a feeling of achievement that you get from working alone, it's something that you can only have if you work together. Even though the members have, by and large, changed, the atmosphere and core (feelings) of the series, haven't. So I think that this time, too, we'll be able to feel that feeling of success together.
Q. And finally: a message to the audience.
A. It's really great if (we) go home having receive some kind of encouragement and support from those that come and see the play -- it's a really good feeling. What I mean is, it's great to know that the people who have come all the way to the theatre have enjoyed what (we've) done.
So, here we go again /laugh
Q. At last, it's the fourth play in the "Puu series", isn't it?
A. Some months ago, I sent a text to Kida saying that "We should go out eating together sometime!". After that, he sent a message back saying "Yeah, we should. I have something I want to talk about with you, too", so I was really kind of ... worried. When I think about it now, it's obvious that he wanted to talk about "Amatsukaze", right? But at that time, I had a completely different thought, so my reaction was basically "what is it?!" (laugh). I thought the series had been concluded with the most recent play, "Tensei Kunpuu", but since Amatsukaze is the prequel to the first play, "Sengokupuu" and so the first installment, it's really interesting. Beyond that, I'm really glad that I get to work with Kida and everyone again, and make some great new memories.
Q. It's already been five years since the beginnings of the series, with "Sengokupuu", hasn't it?
A. Amatsukaze, I think, has been capable of bringing back all the memories of rehearsing and performing Sengokupuu -- it's been incredibly similar, so of course, it's also been really nostalgic -- during the rehearsals, in just a moment, the feelings and experiences of "Sengokupuu" are brought back. At any rate, "Sengokupuu" was completely frantic. I was completely lost and absorbed in it. At that point though, I didn't expect it to turn into a series, so I'm really happy that it has. It's really something that comes together with the work of the cast, the staff, and just everyone. It's not something that one person would be able to do by themselves, and so, for that reason, I'm truly grateful to everyone involved.
Q. This time, you're acting as the character "Nagi". What kind of feelings do you have about him?
A. Within the "Puu" series, regardless of the role that I've been given, I don't think there's been a character that I've felt entirely disconnected from -- each time, Kida has been able to draw various and different parts of me and my feelings out. This time, the stoic and strong-willed 'Nagi' is at first glance, I think, my complete opposite, but inside there's a lot of passion so I feel as if there's some similarity there -- the feelings of passion that I tend to keep to myself, Kida draws out one by one. Particularly at the time of "Bakumatsuu Banpuu" when I saw (my) "passionate self", even I was really surprised since it was the first time that I had been passionate to that extent. The roles of Bakumatsu Banpuu's Okita Souji, Sengokupuu's Fuusuke, Tensei Kunpuu's Kaoru and now Amatsukaze's Nagi have all had a common thread -- they're always struggling up until the last moment. Do you mean, in what way will that be expressed this time? Even I'm going to have to wait and look forward to the actual performance.
Q. Out of interest, with regards to doubles, even if it was just once, what did you have a double for?
A. A double...? I don't have one. I do everything by myself!!
Q. Shirami (Kida Tsuyoshi's character) says "there are a lot of things that I want to do with this money!" but, for you, if you ever found yourself dizzied by your own money, what would you spend it on?
A. Since I don't really spend much money... Aaah... I'd give it all to my family! (laugh).
Q. The play has the steadfast notion that "the necessary power to live through the war is... ruthlessness". What do you think is necessary to survive live through the twenty-first century?
A. I think there are a lot of things -- the feelings of thanks and gratitude, to be considerate and thougtful, (the ablity to) work with others. ...Somehow, they sound like things that would be listed at middle school (laugh).
Q. Do you remember the last time you well and truly cried?
A. The last time I really cried was... I can't remember. No, that's wrong -- it was at the final performance of "Tensei Kunpuu". When it comes to my private life, I don't really cry.
Q. Is there anything you want to achieve with this performance?
A. That's something I think about each time, but I think that the amazing feeling of achievement that comes around with the final performances are really the best. Particularly with the last play, we performed for the first time at Aoyama's theatre, the teamwork that went into that performance and into making it happen was completely amazing. It's not a feeling of winning and losing, but that as long as you have "the power of a team", you'll succeed. It's not a feeling of achievement that you get from working alone, it's something that you can only have if you work together. Even though the members have, by and large, changed, the atmosphere and core (feelings) of the series, haven't. So I think that this time, too, we'll be able to feel that feeling of success together.
Q. And finally: a message to the audience.
A. It's really great if (we) go home having receive some kind of encouragement and support from those that come and see the play -- it's a really good feeling. What I mean is, it's great to know that the people who have come all the way to the theatre have enjoyed what (we've) done.