DANNY-SHINGO Navi Interview
Katori Shingo Interview
--STAGE NAVI (April 2014)
Download 4-page Scans: https://yadi.sk/d/ss1-jeObcRxfB
We interviewed Katori Shingo during his "SMOKING GUN" drama filming in April. He was suppose to be tired from the hard schedule, but during the setting change for this magazine photoshoots, he used trump cards and showed some magic tricks to the crews. He will be the lead of "Ocean's 11" stage play which story is set in Las Vegas casino, in June. Katori himself is a big fan of the 2001 Hollywood movie "Ocean's Eleven."
"I'm currently playing a role that loves donuts in the drama "SMOKING GUN." I actually really love donuts myself. (laugh) Coincidentally, I always get to work with something that I love. "Ocean's Eleven" is a movie that has so many things I love. I go to Las Vegas quite often, also George Clooney and Brad Pitt are ones of my favorite actors too. I've also stayed over in the Bellagio Hotel which was the stage of the movie and many songs I loved from before included in the soundtrack too. Actually I don't have that much time so normally I don't watch one movie a few times, but I've watched this movie several times. I was really surprised that I get to be involved in this project,"
When we asked him how he felt when he was offered the role, he said, "First of all, I was happy. Next feeling was, since I don't have much experience in musical, Eh? Will it be okay? (laugh) Mitani-san's TALK LIKE SINGING, was more like a normal play though it was officially labeled as a musical. That's why Tamori-san, who hates the kind of musical where actors would suddenly sing in the middle of speaking, went to see it. Right before the play started, Tamori-san entered the theater and the whole audience gave him a standing ovation."
Katori was overwhelmed and in tears in the "Waratte IiTomo" finale at the end of last month. This is the first time that he has to perform a genuine musical play. The fact that Yamamoto Koji and Mizuki Arisa, whom he's friends with, are his co-stars, is reassuring for him.
"I think, it's such a strange fate that all three of us can be involved in this play. Yamamoto-san is a professional who's very experienced in many musical plays. And since I also have a deep connection with him, I feel so glad that he'll be together with me in this. I'm sure he will tell me everything I don't know in rehearsals and stage performances. Arisa told me "I have never danced before," (laugh) I asked her "Are you sure about this?" I can say that to her cause we're childhood friends who has known each other since elementary school. Furthermore, all three of us are of the same age. I'm looking forward to it."
This is the first time for him to work together tightly with Yamamoto Koji since the taiga drama "Shinsengumi!" 10 years ago. Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan's friendship was quite touching in the movie. But they have portrayed Kyokucho and Fukucho in "Shinsengumi!" we're sure they'd be able to express that friendship on the stage.
"Actually George Clooney and Brad Pitt have the same relationship as the roles they played in the movie. I think, Yamamoto-san and me have something like that as well. I guess when we're acting, there are parts of us that gets acting and non-acting mixed up, so I'm glad when this deep connection we have, makes things easier,"
We know how much Yamamoto Koji loves Katori Shingo from variety shows. We asked him, how does he feel being so loved like that?
"I'm happy about it. He's not as annoying as everyone think, though. (laugh) I think there's too much "Yamamoto Koji -> Katori Shingo Love" image spread in public, but actually he doesn't contact me that much. I guess everyone would think he annoyingly sends me texts frequently. (laugh) But there's no such thing. He only send me text when he inform me about Shinsengumi's year-end party that we have once a year, on my birthday and also when there are certain moments concerning my work, like after the "Waratte IiTomo" grand finale was over, he texted me "Otsukaresama (thanks for your hard work)" I was a bit happy about that. So, actually he's not annoying. (laugh)"
The play's writer and director is Koike Shuichiro, who was also in charge of the Takarazuka version. The musical numbers will also mostly be the same as Takarazuka version, including "Aishita Hibi ni Itsuwari wa nai."
"Last year, before I started filming SMOKING GUN, I started singing rehearsal earlier than the rest of the cast. Although they're still not sure if certain songs will be used or not, even now, in April. (laugh) When I practice singing the songs, I thought the songs makes me feel good when I sing them. I was taught the dance routines in the Takarazuka version too, including the stretching parts. When I tried to raise my leg, I got a sprain. (laugh)"
This time, "Ocean's 11" will be performed by real men, based on the Takarazuka version's world view.
"It's interesting. It was originally a story about men in the first place, and yet since Takarazuka have performed it before, this play is called the "Male" version, that's really something new. But if I aim to perform it like the female actress who played the role aiming to be a cool guy, that'd feel funny. (laugh) I have to be careful so it won't turn out Takarazuka-ish. But the songs and directing are the same, so I can do what can be done. I've seen the Takarazuka version and I know the atmosphere already. The more we don't have to do it like Takarazuka, the more we can do it normally. We're men, after all. (laugh)"
Katori also showed another charming side of him, in the poster that has become the cover of this magazine.
"When I saw the Takarazuka version, the cool costume left me a deep impression. The Takarazuka crew will be making the costume for this play, and my sizes were taken many times and they re-do the measures in details. I was surprised that they'd do it in details like that,"
We heard that Takarazuka's costume for the male roles are made to hide women's body lines.
"I think that's also shown in this poster. It's different than something that I always wear. It's manly. I think such air is expressed better by the clothes rather than the picture or the person's expression. When I saw the Takarazuka's version, I didn't even think I would be able to be involved in this, but I always take notes of what I see, and I wrote so many things about the clothes. After the stage was over, I asked about it while looking at the notes and was answered in details."
Takarazuka version was performed twice and Katori went to see both stages. The 2nd time which lead was Ran Tomu, Katori got to meet her personally backstage after the show and talked to her.
"I told her myself. Her dancing skill was amazing. Not just Japan, I've also seen musical plays in Las Vegas and New York, and I've been doing dancing for more than 20 years myself, I love dancing. And her ability to dance is really something I've never seen before. I was so moved, I told her."
As mentioned before, Las Vegas is one of his favorite city. He has been there for several times.
"I've seen Cirque du Soleil show a few times too. I've seen many kind of shows. I'm having fun watching them, but the concert I create is pretty much affected by them too. When I know there's a new show that I've never seen before, I feel like I have to go and see it."
Since you've seen so many stage performances, you must've really wanted to stand on the stage as an actor, yourself.
"No, I don't really have interest in that. (laugh) If you ask me, have you ever thought of wanting to do musical one day? The answer is, not at all. (laugh) Even when I watch musicals in Las Vegas or New York, rather than being the actor, I think of directing and clothes for concert more. I almost never reject a job, but for this one, if it's not "Ocean's 11" I might've refused."
Even so, he did TALK LIKE SINGING which was written and directed by Mitani Koki in New York.
"Before I met Mitani-san, I've done theatrical plays before when I was a teenager. I didn't think much that time and just accepted any job I could get. I did it always with feel of nervous. Years later, as I become acquainted with Mitani-san, he always told me to do stage play together. But I always told him "I definitely won't do it," Then Mitani-san asked me, "What if we do musical in New York?" I said "No way, but it'll be interesting if it come true." I joked about it. But then it really came true. I was shocked. (laugh)"
He has been the lead in many TV shows and movie and he had stood on the stage for concerts. Both elements are combined in a theatrical play. So there must be something different.
"How should I say it... People who doesn't really like stage plays or musicals plays would say they think it must be hard to do the same thing at the same time everyday. But it's not that for me. I can't really find the reason why I didn't wanna do it. But if I really look into it, maybe, a part of me, trusted it to Inagaki and Kusanagi. SMAP is like that. For example, Nakai, Kusanagi, Katori does "Waratte Ii Tomo" these three does variety shows. Goro-chan and Kimura-kun does acting, dramas. Each one of us has our own work share. Goro-chan and Tsuyopon does so many theatrical plays, so a part of me might had always think that that world is not my place. That might be one of the reasons."
Katori shines on the stage and many fans has been waiting for him to perform on the stage. We're all looking forward for the performance of the three main cast. Please leave a message for Yamamoto Koji who will play Rusty.
"Mm... well... We've worked together in a TV drama, but this is the first time we work together on the stage. I'm looking forward to it. Yamamoto-san is a professional stage actor and you're a passionate guy, so you might argue with the crews concerning directing or music "Don't you think it should be this way?" or something like that. I love a fun workplace so I hope everything can be done peacefully. (laugh) If Yamamoto-san gets too emotional, our friendship might not continue after the show is over. (laugh) The final show is in July. So let's have a toast together in July in a good mood."
The Takarazuka version was gorgeous and entertaining. What happen when Katori's flavour is combined with the same director's world view? Don't miss the play in June.
=end=
I can't believe it, he didn't want to enter the theatrical world because he thought he shouldn't intrude Goro and Tsuyoshi's specialty field. He actually said "A part of me, trusted it to Inagaki and Kusanagi." This means SMAP was/is trying to dominate the whole entertainment world as a team, without even discussing about it. It's like they have their own work shares, "Kimura you take over the TV drama world, I take over the hosting world. Goro, Tsuyoshi you take over the theatrical stage world." and Nakai didn't even have to say that verbally to them, they just know their own role in the team. That's why, Shingo said "a part of me." Their teamwork never fail to amaze me. Shingo is really a team player. Every work he does is always based on his role/workshare in SMAP. He didn't feel good about doing a stage play, because it would be like intruding Goro and Tsuyoshi's roles, though no one tells him that he shouldn't. He didn't even think about his own individual career. SMAP is all he think about. He really lives for SMAP. These guys just never fails to make me cry T_T
--STAGE NAVI (April 2014)
Download 4-page Scans: https://yadi.sk/d/ss1-jeObcRxfB
We interviewed Katori Shingo during his "SMOKING GUN" drama filming in April. He was suppose to be tired from the hard schedule, but during the setting change for this magazine photoshoots, he used trump cards and showed some magic tricks to the crews. He will be the lead of "Ocean's 11" stage play which story is set in Las Vegas casino, in June. Katori himself is a big fan of the 2001 Hollywood movie "Ocean's Eleven."
"I'm currently playing a role that loves donuts in the drama "SMOKING GUN." I actually really love donuts myself. (laugh) Coincidentally, I always get to work with something that I love. "Ocean's Eleven" is a movie that has so many things I love. I go to Las Vegas quite often, also George Clooney and Brad Pitt are ones of my favorite actors too. I've also stayed over in the Bellagio Hotel which was the stage of the movie and many songs I loved from before included in the soundtrack too. Actually I don't have that much time so normally I don't watch one movie a few times, but I've watched this movie several times. I was really surprised that I get to be involved in this project,"
When we asked him how he felt when he was offered the role, he said, "First of all, I was happy. Next feeling was, since I don't have much experience in musical, Eh? Will it be okay? (laugh) Mitani-san's TALK LIKE SINGING, was more like a normal play though it was officially labeled as a musical. That's why Tamori-san, who hates the kind of musical where actors would suddenly sing in the middle of speaking, went to see it. Right before the play started, Tamori-san entered the theater and the whole audience gave him a standing ovation."
Katori was overwhelmed and in tears in the "Waratte IiTomo" finale at the end of last month. This is the first time that he has to perform a genuine musical play. The fact that Yamamoto Koji and Mizuki Arisa, whom he's friends with, are his co-stars, is reassuring for him.
"I think, it's such a strange fate that all three of us can be involved in this play. Yamamoto-san is a professional who's very experienced in many musical plays. And since I also have a deep connection with him, I feel so glad that he'll be together with me in this. I'm sure he will tell me everything I don't know in rehearsals and stage performances. Arisa told me "I have never danced before," (laugh) I asked her "Are you sure about this?" I can say that to her cause we're childhood friends who has known each other since elementary school. Furthermore, all three of us are of the same age. I'm looking forward to it."
This is the first time for him to work together tightly with Yamamoto Koji since the taiga drama "Shinsengumi!" 10 years ago. Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan's friendship was quite touching in the movie. But they have portrayed Kyokucho and Fukucho in "Shinsengumi!" we're sure they'd be able to express that friendship on the stage.
"Actually George Clooney and Brad Pitt have the same relationship as the roles they played in the movie. I think, Yamamoto-san and me have something like that as well. I guess when we're acting, there are parts of us that gets acting and non-acting mixed up, so I'm glad when this deep connection we have, makes things easier,"
We know how much Yamamoto Koji loves Katori Shingo from variety shows. We asked him, how does he feel being so loved like that?
"I'm happy about it. He's not as annoying as everyone think, though. (laugh) I think there's too much "Yamamoto Koji -> Katori Shingo Love" image spread in public, but actually he doesn't contact me that much. I guess everyone would think he annoyingly sends me texts frequently. (laugh) But there's no such thing. He only send me text when he inform me about Shinsengumi's year-end party that we have once a year, on my birthday and also when there are certain moments concerning my work, like after the "Waratte IiTomo" grand finale was over, he texted me "Otsukaresama (thanks for your hard work)" I was a bit happy about that. So, actually he's not annoying. (laugh)"
The play's writer and director is Koike Shuichiro, who was also in charge of the Takarazuka version. The musical numbers will also mostly be the same as Takarazuka version, including "Aishita Hibi ni Itsuwari wa nai."
"Last year, before I started filming SMOKING GUN, I started singing rehearsal earlier than the rest of the cast. Although they're still not sure if certain songs will be used or not, even now, in April. (laugh) When I practice singing the songs, I thought the songs makes me feel good when I sing them. I was taught the dance routines in the Takarazuka version too, including the stretching parts. When I tried to raise my leg, I got a sprain. (laugh)"
This time, "Ocean's 11" will be performed by real men, based on the Takarazuka version's world view.
"It's interesting. It was originally a story about men in the first place, and yet since Takarazuka have performed it before, this play is called the "Male" version, that's really something new. But if I aim to perform it like the female actress who played the role aiming to be a cool guy, that'd feel funny. (laugh) I have to be careful so it won't turn out Takarazuka-ish. But the songs and directing are the same, so I can do what can be done. I've seen the Takarazuka version and I know the atmosphere already. The more we don't have to do it like Takarazuka, the more we can do it normally. We're men, after all. (laugh)"
Katori also showed another charming side of him, in the poster that has become the cover of this magazine.
"When I saw the Takarazuka version, the cool costume left me a deep impression. The Takarazuka crew will be making the costume for this play, and my sizes were taken many times and they re-do the measures in details. I was surprised that they'd do it in details like that,"
We heard that Takarazuka's costume for the male roles are made to hide women's body lines.
"I think that's also shown in this poster. It's different than something that I always wear. It's manly. I think such air is expressed better by the clothes rather than the picture or the person's expression. When I saw the Takarazuka's version, I didn't even think I would be able to be involved in this, but I always take notes of what I see, and I wrote so many things about the clothes. After the stage was over, I asked about it while looking at the notes and was answered in details."
Takarazuka version was performed twice and Katori went to see both stages. The 2nd time which lead was Ran Tomu, Katori got to meet her personally backstage after the show and talked to her.
"I told her myself. Her dancing skill was amazing. Not just Japan, I've also seen musical plays in Las Vegas and New York, and I've been doing dancing for more than 20 years myself, I love dancing. And her ability to dance is really something I've never seen before. I was so moved, I told her."
As mentioned before, Las Vegas is one of his favorite city. He has been there for several times.
"I've seen Cirque du Soleil show a few times too. I've seen many kind of shows. I'm having fun watching them, but the concert I create is pretty much affected by them too. When I know there's a new show that I've never seen before, I feel like I have to go and see it."
Since you've seen so many stage performances, you must've really wanted to stand on the stage as an actor, yourself.
"No, I don't really have interest in that. (laugh) If you ask me, have you ever thought of wanting to do musical one day? The answer is, not at all. (laugh) Even when I watch musicals in Las Vegas or New York, rather than being the actor, I think of directing and clothes for concert more. I almost never reject a job, but for this one, if it's not "Ocean's 11" I might've refused."
Even so, he did TALK LIKE SINGING which was written and directed by Mitani Koki in New York.
"Before I met Mitani-san, I've done theatrical plays before when I was a teenager. I didn't think much that time and just accepted any job I could get. I did it always with feel of nervous. Years later, as I become acquainted with Mitani-san, he always told me to do stage play together. But I always told him "I definitely won't do it," Then Mitani-san asked me, "What if we do musical in New York?" I said "No way, but it'll be interesting if it come true." I joked about it. But then it really came true. I was shocked. (laugh)"
He has been the lead in many TV shows and movie and he had stood on the stage for concerts. Both elements are combined in a theatrical play. So there must be something different.
"How should I say it... People who doesn't really like stage plays or musicals plays would say they think it must be hard to do the same thing at the same time everyday. But it's not that for me. I can't really find the reason why I didn't wanna do it. But if I really look into it, maybe, a part of me, trusted it to Inagaki and Kusanagi. SMAP is like that. For example, Nakai, Kusanagi, Katori does "Waratte Ii Tomo" these three does variety shows. Goro-chan and Kimura-kun does acting, dramas. Each one of us has our own work share. Goro-chan and Tsuyopon does so many theatrical plays, so a part of me might had always think that that world is not my place. That might be one of the reasons."
Katori shines on the stage and many fans has been waiting for him to perform on the stage. We're all looking forward for the performance of the three main cast. Please leave a message for Yamamoto Koji who will play Rusty.
"Mm... well... We've worked together in a TV drama, but this is the first time we work together on the stage. I'm looking forward to it. Yamamoto-san is a professional stage actor and you're a passionate guy, so you might argue with the crews concerning directing or music "Don't you think it should be this way?" or something like that. I love a fun workplace so I hope everything can be done peacefully. (laugh) If Yamamoto-san gets too emotional, our friendship might not continue after the show is over. (laugh) The final show is in July. So let's have a toast together in July in a good mood."
The Takarazuka version was gorgeous and entertaining. What happen when Katori's flavour is combined with the same director's world view? Don't miss the play in June.
=end=
I can't believe it, he didn't want to enter the theatrical world because he thought he shouldn't intrude Goro and Tsuyoshi's specialty field. He actually said "A part of me, trusted it to Inagaki and Kusanagi." This means SMAP was/is trying to dominate the whole entertainment world as a team, without even discussing about it. It's like they have their own work shares, "Kimura you take over the TV drama world, I take over the hosting world. Goro, Tsuyoshi you take over the theatrical stage world." and Nakai didn't even have to say that verbally to them, they just know their own role in the team. That's why, Shingo said "a part of me." Their teamwork never fail to amaze me. Shingo is really a team player. Every work he does is always based on his role/workshare in SMAP. He didn't feel good about doing a stage play, because it would be like intruding Goro and Tsuyoshi's roles, though no one tells him that he shouldn't. He didn't even think about his own individual career. SMAP is all he think about. He really lives for SMAP. These guys just never fails to make me cry T_T