PINOCCHIO Interviews Part 1 [Uehara, Sakurada, Totani, Hirama, Mizuta, Yanagisawa & Yoshimura]
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
I was happy, truly realizing it, that’s how I felt. It had to be evaluated from around last time’s “Black & White”, with one’s full might being used up, that’s how I felt. Therefore, when I heard that there was going to be a 2nd one, the expectation was bigger than the surprise.
--The role you play, which is that?
I, though it was a position called the okama Goddess, have done okama roles in the past. Since it had excellent favourable endings in itself, I hope to give new impressions in this role again.
--Is there anything to worry about during the act?
Mostly, I don’t. It’s like a duty too, since it’s a dashing role to do. This time, I feel that I want it to be watched and enjoyed. I can relax my shoulders in this position too, since I still feel that in the play, it’s you guys I have cheering me on, so I’m glad to have you with me watching as I pursue the role.
--What does the practice feel like?
Unlike last time, I am alone in taking care of that position. So during practice, I am without much involvement from the other members, so there is slight desolation. Noticeably, I feel that the quarrelling also decreases. So, to the members who read this about me in the pamphlet, I want you to quarrel with me soon (lol)
--In which way do you want this stage show to be watched?
Though I have a song in the play, it poem is simple yet deep, and there is a moment where I am reminded of myself while carrying it out. When I listen to this song, since I feel that it is somehow meaningful to the role, I don’t feel that I must rather find out the meaning. Perhaps to someone, by changing the feelings in Pinocchio, they will feel that a message has been delivered. Something like that, I think it’s good to only transmit via a stage show, eh~
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DORI SAKURADA
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
“Ah, of course” is what I thought. Like last time, since the prospect of doing another one came out of thin-air, it was of little surprise.
--Last time’s “Black&White”, what was the stage show like for you?
Humans, doing things that haven’t been done, don’t they do it without eagerness? That, it wouldn’t do. Last Summer, I lived in contradiction. It was the first time where I had no experience. But, over time, I want to strike-down the thoughts of frustration in the next stage show, that’s how I think. The feelings of wanting to test myself on stage again, they have been steadily increasing.
--The role you play, which is that?
A cat. A little ill-natured, arguable cat. I was waiting for such a role. Since it a position that is dependent on however you like it to be, it was extremely easy to do. Last time, the role was far apart from me personally, painfully difficult after all, but this time I’m thoroughly free.
--What is the “Pinocchio” team atmosphere like?
The previous time, it was the feeling of capability~ Last time, the scripts were late to confirm who would take charge of the roles though, but since the scripts were made at an early stage this time, more concentration and rehearsing is possible, so I feel that I get a good start out of it.
--The scene you want attention to be given to is?
My role this time, because it is a position that breaks the fate and story of Pinocchio. The situation-disturbance of that cat, I think that’s my high point.
--In which way do you want this stage show to be watched?
Although this is the 2nd project of “Black&White”, apart from previous work, I want you to enjoy it as a new world of a mysterious picture-book~ Other than this, playing the role, I expect that it might come out here-and-there in Sakurada. So to people who know me, I feel that Sakurada Dori wants you to enjoy what the cat does.
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KIMITO TOTANI
--Last time’s “Black&White”, what was the stage show like for you?
The 2nd “Black&White” stage show for me, it was surprisingly different. Firstly, I did all one could do to understand Ms. Uran’s world. Saying “Become a magnet” for example, don’t I often not understand? (lol) I did start from there~
--The role you play, which is that?
Tsuneki and the fox. The fox that comes out of Pinocchio, he has a crafty image~! For me, I don’t know if the face is similar (lol). Such a character is hard to portray well. Currently, I believe that in various ways.
--The scene you want attention to be given to is?
The fox inviting Pinocchio to the circus, I try to sell him abroad after all, and that front and back switch scene is what I think my highlight is. Even if the people watching know “That guy, he’s peculiar, right?”, Pinocchio is unaware because of his pureness. I’m able to initiate the impact well, I reckon. Afterwards, though there is that line “Gears! Gears! *clatter* It’s a doll!”, that position, I feel that I don’t want to become a demon leader like last time (lol).
--What is the “Pinocchio” team atmosphere like?
There is a good atmosphere between the Amuse members, being afraid of nothing, I reckon. As usual, there is no uneasiness at all. Other than this, the younger children fit in as well. For them, there is tremendous shyness! On the first week of training after all, only once, or twice, our eyes met. (lol) Everyone soon came out of their shells, and I’m going to keep pulling [them out of their shells]~
--In which way do you want this stage show to be watched?
The singing and dancing, juggling etc., since there are so many highlights in the show, I want you to enjoy it as much as possible~ While there are also times to laugh, since the strong story is a message, surely from such a time, I feel that isn’t it a production which will resonate in everyone’s hearts?
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SOICHI HIRAMA
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
Honestly, I was nervous. There were various challenges last time after all (lol) But now, that feeling is replaced with “I want to try it again”~
--Last time’s “Black&White”, what was the stage show like for you?
It was a variously thought-provoking stage show. Until now, there were parts where I had to rely on the director. But in “Black&White”, for example, the role is like choosing what clothes to wear, you’ve got to learn to think for yourself. Although it’s tough, it’ll be a big pleasure when I finish it, I’m very positive now about the stage show.
--Please tell us your thoughts upon reading the script.
The original story is just a picture book, imagination swelled out from what it could become on the stage. In this scenario, as for what Ms. Uran’s further productions will happen to contain, I look forward to it.
--The role you play, which is that?
The role of the cricket, by explaining events while reading the atmosphere of a place, you shouldn’t not be able to move onwards. As for future years, there being no such thing as standing in-place will be thought of as an expected role. There is pressure~ Gee, scary!
--Is there anything to worry about during the act?
The movement of an insect. Initially, the cricket who came from the original was imagined as gentlemanly. But, Ms. Uran, she seems to have had the image of the cricket as an insect, “Is that so? That’s right~” was said (lol). As for the insect-like movement, I think I put it on now and then.
--Your favourite scene is?
What I like the most, that’s where the okama goddess calls Geppetto “Geppy”~ That, I think is a line that can only be said by Takkun.
--In which way do you want this stage show to be watched?
The weaker parts that everyone has, since I think that the stage show has changed them positively, I think it’s good that such a message can come from it. After it ends, I think it will then be “A picture-book to read”, it’s kind of nice~
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KOUKI MIZUTA
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
Thanks to it being very popular the last time, there was more pressure on the following one to be better than the last one. But Ms. Uran the director, Mr. Takasaki the playwright, since there were the cast members that were the same as before, there was a partial sense of security. Everyone, they created something better than I thought.
--Please tell us your thoughts upon reading the script.
I originally love Disney, and since Pinocchio is one of the works I like, I looked forward to it. How I felt after I finished reading the script, I thought that it was a very favourable view of the world. This interest, I felt that I wanted to represent it well on-stage.
--The role you play, which is that?
Although it’s not close to me personally, it’s not entirely far either. A delicate position, I thought it was difficult to reverse. Afterwards, the process of Pinocchio growing up, I think it becomes a very important scene. I would like to do in a way that would make it a highlight~
--Your favourite scene is?
The beginning, the scene where everyone appears as puppets, I really think it has an impact, so I look forward to the reactions of the audience~ [If we were] Showing the view of the world on the stage with a ‘bang’ at the beginning, I don’t think we could dive into the world of the picture-book together from there with the audience. [i.e. he thinks it better that it has a slow start.]
--What is the “Pinocchio” team atmosphere like?
Good teamwork I think. The stage show itself too is unconstrained, objective opinions are given, and I listen to what is said. Then they come together to take note of things, and it is these strong points that normally occur in Amuse offices, so it’s a great feeling.
--There is a scene you want attention to be given to?
Since it is an amazing stage set, from the moment you enter the theatre, I want you to feel excited. Then feeling that way until the end, and after having finished watching it, leaving you immersed in a dreamy mental state. It has become such that stage show and it’s amazing~
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TAKAHIKO YANAGISAWA
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
Although I had various trouble last time, I already understood the practice methods this time, but I also perform new challenges, I’d say. Ms. Uran makes me say “Uncle”, that’s what I thought~ (lol) [An American phrase; when you are being punished by a friend etc. after losing to them, you say “Uncle!” to declare that you submit to them. The Japanese equivalent is “Gyafun”]
--The role you play, which is that?
While Geppetto is really good-natured, Pinocchio doesn’t see it. His narrow-vision, I feel that it will be expressed. Other than that, though I have a grandfather role, since I over-do being like a “Grandfather”, I somehow want to be like a “Grandfather”, I reckon. It’ subtle though (lol).
--Your favourite scene is?
Without a doubt, without a doubt, Yakisoba pans are something to look out for~! I think that even though one has to do their best with their own scenes, I would just like for their appearances to be carried out! But, I think it’s really stunning. For that reason, rather than seeing it as “Interesting, right?”, it’s rather like trying to become yakisoba pans… Well briefly, I’d like to be something such as a yakisoba pan (lol).
--What is the “Pinocchio” team atmosphere like?
The people from last time’s “Black&White” will know, though I think that Ms. Uran is understood as a person, in step, Ms. Uran’s impressions of people at first can be greatly understood. In regards to Yoshito and Kensuke, despite also having little experience in stage shows, it’s also something everyone has been though. Therefore, we’ve been guiding them from there, wanting to help as much as possible, I think… Being friendly brothers!
--In which way do you want this stage show to be watched?
Facing forward towards the live thing “”anyhow” in “any case” in a natural way, it’s an important thing~! The stage will be able to re-affirm the enjoyment, I think. Though I think that it was gotten out of last time’s Black&White”, it is more clear this time, so since this is a stage where there is laughter all-around, I want you to relax and enjoy it.
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TAKUYA YOSHIMURA
--When the 2nd project was decided, what were your thoughts?
Well, I make the stage shows with everyone from Amuse, I reckon. With delight, the planning was looked forward to since I was selected.
--Last time’s “Black&White”, what was the stage show like for you?
“Black&White” is a stage to challenge various projects, I think. In regards to me, “Black&White” was the first time where I have danced. Initially, I also didn’t know how to memorize the choreography, I just did it by looking in the mirror, it was enough without knowing why the instructor’s movements are reversed. (lol) It’s still a struggle to be able to do it, it can be made as a special ability. For that reason, I think it’s a position of how to challenge various things.
--Please tell us your thoughts upon reading the script.
Although it’s a story flooding with originality, it properly complies with the story of Pinocchio. Middle-school students are also linked to the world of books and world of reality, so I thought it was interesting.
--The role you play, which is that?
A goat! Honestly, there was a bit of bewilderment~ “Ah, not a human” I said (lol). The line “Meeeeeeh” just came out. But, just saying “Meeeh, meeeh” though, it would just end up like “What’s with that guy?”, so the goat is shown to represent the sorrow and pain of the child, I reckon. During rehearsals, I’m exploring it in many ways.
--There is a scene you want attention to be given to?
I would say my highlight, where the goat’s human senses disappear more and more, to the position of becoming just a goat~ I don’t only have “Meeeh” in my lines, and for the slight feeling of movement and words, “That guy, he is against it~” is what I think I want being conveyed. My favourite scene, it’s the scene of being inside the whale’s belly. Pinocchio, who becomes strong by meeting various people, at last, exerts all the strength he summons-up to help everyone. Reading the script, here is where I am moved to tears, I think. So by all means, I want you to cry with Koki~
PART 2