Look at Star (07.2011) - Shige, Joshima, G2 interview
Look at Star 07.2011 - KatoXJoshimaXG2
Credits: Inala
J: I read the script that G2 wrote this time thinking that it was simply interesting. Reading it I could picture the scenes on the stage, the imagination swelled a lot. In reality to convey this in the show we must go over the imagination. It's difficult!
S: I thought it was interesting too, I know that it will be even more interesting if we actors decide to work giving all our efforts. I feel the weight of my responsibilities. The more I watch it from different angles the more it gets interesting. I want to find as many more hints as possible during the short time of rehearsals.
G: In reality I've been thinking to use an orange to create a story since many time. I finally did it while I was writing the beginning's setting and it came like a lighting: "In this house's garden there will be an orange tree!". Then I wanted to set it in June and I found out that bitter orange's flowers bloom in this month, after that I searched how to say 'bitter orange' in English. I think that the sound of those words fits well the relationship between the two brothers of the story. "Well done!" I thought (lol).
J: Fated events like this happen. Here I play the role of the biggest son but my younger brother is better than me in everything. That's why inside of me I always compare myself to him, I also have a complicated relationship with our parents. In the end, I'll play to put together for good the bonds of the relationship between the two brothers. "With which emotions should I say this line?", this is the direction in which I want to move. Express straightly the feelings hidden by words or keep hiding the real intentions of the character? Right now I'm pretty lost, it will take shape little by little.
S: I'm an only child, I've always been very jealous of friends who had a brother. I'm happy I got one in this occasion. I don't know why I'm usually told that I'm like an older brother. I'm not that reliable at all but I'm seen like a steady boy. I really am not like that at all.
G: You're emphasising this a lot! (lol)
J: When we're all together you really look like a reliable guy though.
S: Even if I'm told so I can't be spoiled. I must pull myself together! Maybe here I will be able to project also these trifling dilemmas of mine. Maybe myself and the character can blend somewhere.
G: I'm the type who can't write out of blue, I always start writing my scripts after I thought intently to the setting, the profiles of the characters and the background of the story. This time in particular I needed many time to think. I had settings for something like 6 hours of play. Then I wrote the script for only 2 hours of it. It was like this.
S: Usually you wouldn't come up with that much setting?
G: I had nothing to do at that time (lol)
J: Ahahah, I see!
G: So I growled and growled thinking to the setting for around 1 month and half, then when I thought: "Yosh!" and started to write there was the earthquake.
J-S: Really!?
G: Moreover I was in a hotel in Hakodate to escape from pollen allergy and I couldn't contact anybody, even my family, until the night, the situation in Tokyo was really unclear. I kept thinking: "Is it the case to write a script in these times?". Somehow, I started to think of it as a mere picture of the foolishness of tiny men. I would rather go and do a single action of charity work than writing it. Anyway I thought to its settings more than I ever did so, even if I had a moment of confusion, I completed it in the next 10 days.
S: Did something change under the echo of the earthquake?
G: Honestly I didn't know if I should continue writing stuff or give up with it. Doing that in the middle of such a big tragedy I wondered if my work had a meaning or not, I was all alone in the room of a hotel so I dropped into extra deep thoughts. I felt like I couldn't write a script without finding an answer before.
J: So it was like this...
G: In the end, the results of my worrying, I understood that I can't live without writing so I can do anything else but writing. I decided to write something to be proud of. Anyway because of the earthquake I decreased the gags parts of the 20-30%.
S: I see. All the families afflicted by the earthquake must have their personal, different stories too. That's why I think that it's necessary to put a spotlight on each of them. Reading it you can feel something like hope for life.
[This story was really moving]
J: Me and Kato-kun worked for the drama "0 Goushitsu no kyaku" before. It was a night drama, our characters just crossed each others in the front of the hotel though.
S: Right, but it was only a scene. This one is our serious first time working together.
J: Kato-kun in NEWS has a sound image. If I had a daughter and she'd bring me home you as boyfriend I'd say: "Ohh, if it's him that's good!".
G: Ahahah! That's weirdly specific!
J: Like: "Want to go out for dinner? What sport do you do?" (lol)
G: I'd approve that too! (lol) Really, he's an honest good guy.
J: He's the typical guy most loved by parents.
[Nyahahahah that's so cute! XD Shige made a splash on them!]
S: I'm happy but somehow I feel sorry (lol). I watched Joshima-kun in TV since when I was little, I've always thought he's an interesting man. Then when we worked for "0 Goushitsu no kyaku" he talked to me very friendly. I thought he was really kind.
G: Right. Joshima-kun gives the impression of clear seriousness.
J: That hit the spot! (lol)
S: When NEWS came back to work during the Countdown 2006/07 Joshima-kun was the one who introduced us on the stage. He said with great excitement: "Those cute guys are back!!". I'm grateful for it. I think that all NEWS owe this one to Joshima-kun.
J: It was the right time to overcome everything with the other members and come back to life, wasn't it? I knew how you all felt, I felt like we were all friends chasing the same dream.
S: Some of the members were crying, that time. I'm truly grateful.
J: Everything went well that time, we had a wonderful time with all the fans. Sorry G2-san, you must have been thinking "Eh?!" all this time. That was the most difficult me in front of the fans in the Tokyo Dome.
G: Ahahah!
S: No, really. I'll do my best too!
[I got emotional...NEWS don't usually talk too much about that time in interviews... T_T]
J: This work contains many different aspects, like family and brotherwood's love, affection to childhood friends. All these things are 'bonds'. On March a very awful thing happened but it was our opportunity to think to others, to realize how important is to support each others; I think that everybody felt those 'bonds' stronger than ever. That's why I'd be happy if the people who will come to see this play, after it's over, will be able to see once again those invisible threads.
S: It's a story of a family that came apart, I think it has powerful sides. When it's over it must leave a very refreshing sensation. That's exactly the impression left by a bitter orange, a citrus, I want to do my best to convey this. A play that you go to see with a light feeling and that you leave in a good mood!
G: This is what the script wants to convey but I also arranged something that will make the spectators think: "I've been deceived!". It's not only the structure of the script, the feeling of being deceived will come in many scenes thanks to the play of these two guys and the other cast. Please, come to fall into my trap!
J: Uwa! I feel the responsibilities even more now! (lol)
G: What? Did I raise the hurdles? That's good! The higher they are the funnier the play will be! (lol)
Shigeaki Kato
During rehearsals it was the first time in my life trying to do a kind of workshop without reading the script. Something like this is ceirtanly important, right? I'm relatively shy so at the beginning it was pretty embarrassing for me to show my character out of the play (lol). Anyway thanks to the workshop I could socialize in short time with all the cast. It wasn't only a professional work, it also helped to change the atmosphere of the company.
The rehearsals are always very funny but they also depressed me. I felt that I was being an hindrance to everybody more than what I expected... Everybody there are pro, they have a big stability, this is what I felt during the first day of rehearsals.
I think that maybe it's better to not set a concrete objective yet. I've personally got many problems. When I'm convinced on something I then wonder if after all it isn't only a bother. I mean, at this point in time in which I read the scenario only twice, there must be many things completely different to the ones I thought. Once I found out one there still are many others more, if I fix myself upon what I thought my act will be only awkward. This time I want to try to be completely flexible and not think too much. Of course I must absolutely read the script more and more though, so I still have to think about it.
[Always the same Shige, don't worry, you'll be fine <3]
Working in theater is different from dramas, you are engaged with the same play for more than 2 months. Thinking continuously deeply and for long time on one thing is a big deal to me. You always work on the same content but everyday is a little different, the continuous adjustment of elements is the interesting aspect of a play.
About this work, at first I thought it was a comedy but it's not like this. Of course there will be some loose parts too though. In the story there will also be pretty dark scenes but there is nothing like mystery. It's a drama that could happen in every house, that if it would happen nobody would fine weird. It pictures the serious weirdness of human beings. It may be a little bitter but also refreshing...just like the image of the bitter orange of the title.
Once again, I couldn't resist to Shige :3
My exam is in few days and I'm being pretty emo and depressed (Sorry for the complaints on twitter m(_ _)m ) but translating his pages cheered me up a little...somehow translating and being kinda useful remind me why I study Japanese in my life. Well, enjoy this very interesting interview!
Ps: Don't you think that Shige lose a little of his charm when he's with adults? NEWS make him stand out more XDD But I'm glad he's truly appreciated!
Credits: Inala
J: I read the script that G2 wrote this time thinking that it was simply interesting. Reading it I could picture the scenes on the stage, the imagination swelled a lot. In reality to convey this in the show we must go over the imagination. It's difficult!
S: I thought it was interesting too, I know that it will be even more interesting if we actors decide to work giving all our efforts. I feel the weight of my responsibilities. The more I watch it from different angles the more it gets interesting. I want to find as many more hints as possible during the short time of rehearsals.
G: In reality I've been thinking to use an orange to create a story since many time. I finally did it while I was writing the beginning's setting and it came like a lighting: "In this house's garden there will be an orange tree!". Then I wanted to set it in June and I found out that bitter orange's flowers bloom in this month, after that I searched how to say 'bitter orange' in English. I think that the sound of those words fits well the relationship between the two brothers of the story. "Well done!" I thought (lol).
J: Fated events like this happen. Here I play the role of the biggest son but my younger brother is better than me in everything. That's why inside of me I always compare myself to him, I also have a complicated relationship with our parents. In the end, I'll play to put together for good the bonds of the relationship between the two brothers. "With which emotions should I say this line?", this is the direction in which I want to move. Express straightly the feelings hidden by words or keep hiding the real intentions of the character? Right now I'm pretty lost, it will take shape little by little.
S: I'm an only child, I've always been very jealous of friends who had a brother. I'm happy I got one in this occasion. I don't know why I'm usually told that I'm like an older brother. I'm not that reliable at all but I'm seen like a steady boy. I really am not like that at all.
G: You're emphasising this a lot! (lol)
J: When we're all together you really look like a reliable guy though.
S: Even if I'm told so I can't be spoiled. I must pull myself together! Maybe here I will be able to project also these trifling dilemmas of mine. Maybe myself and the character can blend somewhere.
G: I'm the type who can't write out of blue, I always start writing my scripts after I thought intently to the setting, the profiles of the characters and the background of the story. This time in particular I needed many time to think. I had settings for something like 6 hours of play. Then I wrote the script for only 2 hours of it. It was like this.
S: Usually you wouldn't come up with that much setting?
G: I had nothing to do at that time (lol)
J: Ahahah, I see!
G: So I growled and growled thinking to the setting for around 1 month and half, then when I thought: "Yosh!" and started to write there was the earthquake.
J-S: Really!?
G: Moreover I was in a hotel in Hakodate to escape from pollen allergy and I couldn't contact anybody, even my family, until the night, the situation in Tokyo was really unclear. I kept thinking: "Is it the case to write a script in these times?". Somehow, I started to think of it as a mere picture of the foolishness of tiny men. I would rather go and do a single action of charity work than writing it. Anyway I thought to its settings more than I ever did so, even if I had a moment of confusion, I completed it in the next 10 days.
S: Did something change under the echo of the earthquake?
G: Honestly I didn't know if I should continue writing stuff or give up with it. Doing that in the middle of such a big tragedy I wondered if my work had a meaning or not, I was all alone in the room of a hotel so I dropped into extra deep thoughts. I felt like I couldn't write a script without finding an answer before.
J: So it was like this...
G: In the end, the results of my worrying, I understood that I can't live without writing so I can do anything else but writing. I decided to write something to be proud of. Anyway because of the earthquake I decreased the gags parts of the 20-30%.
S: I see. All the families afflicted by the earthquake must have their personal, different stories too. That's why I think that it's necessary to put a spotlight on each of them. Reading it you can feel something like hope for life.
[This story was really moving]
J: Me and Kato-kun worked for the drama "0 Goushitsu no kyaku" before. It was a night drama, our characters just crossed each others in the front of the hotel though.
S: Right, but it was only a scene. This one is our serious first time working together.
J: Kato-kun in NEWS has a sound image. If I had a daughter and she'd bring me home you as boyfriend I'd say: "Ohh, if it's him that's good!".
G: Ahahah! That's weirdly specific!
J: Like: "Want to go out for dinner? What sport do you do?" (lol)
G: I'd approve that too! (lol) Really, he's an honest good guy.
J: He's the typical guy most loved by parents.
[Nyahahahah that's so cute! XD Shige made a splash on them!]
S: I'm happy but somehow I feel sorry (lol). I watched Joshima-kun in TV since when I was little, I've always thought he's an interesting man. Then when we worked for "0 Goushitsu no kyaku" he talked to me very friendly. I thought he was really kind.
G: Right. Joshima-kun gives the impression of clear seriousness.
J: That hit the spot! (lol)
S: When NEWS came back to work during the Countdown 2006/07 Joshima-kun was the one who introduced us on the stage. He said with great excitement: "Those cute guys are back!!". I'm grateful for it. I think that all NEWS owe this one to Joshima-kun.
J: It was the right time to overcome everything with the other members and come back to life, wasn't it? I knew how you all felt, I felt like we were all friends chasing the same dream.
S: Some of the members were crying, that time. I'm truly grateful.
J: Everything went well that time, we had a wonderful time with all the fans. Sorry G2-san, you must have been thinking "Eh?!" all this time. That was the most difficult me in front of the fans in the Tokyo Dome.
G: Ahahah!
S: No, really. I'll do my best too!
[I got emotional...NEWS don't usually talk too much about that time in interviews... T_T]
J: This work contains many different aspects, like family and brotherwood's love, affection to childhood friends. All these things are 'bonds'. On March a very awful thing happened but it was our opportunity to think to others, to realize how important is to support each others; I think that everybody felt those 'bonds' stronger than ever. That's why I'd be happy if the people who will come to see this play, after it's over, will be able to see once again those invisible threads.
S: It's a story of a family that came apart, I think it has powerful sides. When it's over it must leave a very refreshing sensation. That's exactly the impression left by a bitter orange, a citrus, I want to do my best to convey this. A play that you go to see with a light feeling and that you leave in a good mood!
G: This is what the script wants to convey but I also arranged something that will make the spectators think: "I've been deceived!". It's not only the structure of the script, the feeling of being deceived will come in many scenes thanks to the play of these two guys and the other cast. Please, come to fall into my trap!
J: Uwa! I feel the responsibilities even more now! (lol)
G: What? Did I raise the hurdles? That's good! The higher they are the funnier the play will be! (lol)
Shigeaki Kato
During rehearsals it was the first time in my life trying to do a kind of workshop without reading the script. Something like this is ceirtanly important, right? I'm relatively shy so at the beginning it was pretty embarrassing for me to show my character out of the play (lol). Anyway thanks to the workshop I could socialize in short time with all the cast. It wasn't only a professional work, it also helped to change the atmosphere of the company.
The rehearsals are always very funny but they also depressed me. I felt that I was being an hindrance to everybody more than what I expected... Everybody there are pro, they have a big stability, this is what I felt during the first day of rehearsals.
I think that maybe it's better to not set a concrete objective yet. I've personally got many problems. When I'm convinced on something I then wonder if after all it isn't only a bother. I mean, at this point in time in which I read the scenario only twice, there must be many things completely different to the ones I thought. Once I found out one there still are many others more, if I fix myself upon what I thought my act will be only awkward. This time I want to try to be completely flexible and not think too much. Of course I must absolutely read the script more and more though, so I still have to think about it.
[Always the same Shige, don't worry, you'll be fine <3]
Working in theater is different from dramas, you are engaged with the same play for more than 2 months. Thinking continuously deeply and for long time on one thing is a big deal to me. You always work on the same content but everyday is a little different, the continuous adjustment of elements is the interesting aspect of a play.
About this work, at first I thought it was a comedy but it's not like this. Of course there will be some loose parts too though. In the story there will also be pretty dark scenes but there is nothing like mystery. It's a drama that could happen in every house, that if it would happen nobody would fine weird. It pictures the serious weirdness of human beings. It may be a little bitter but also refreshing...just like the image of the bitter orange of the title.
Once again, I couldn't resist to Shige :3
My exam is in few days and I'm being pretty emo and depressed (Sorry for the complaints on twitter m(_ _)m ) but translating his pages cheered me up a little...somehow translating and being kinda useful remind me why I study Japanese in my life. Well, enjoy this very interesting interview!
Ps: Don't you think that Shige lose a little of his charm when he's with adults? NEWS make him stand out more XDD But I'm glad he's truly appreciated!