A play that incorporates joy, anger, sadness, and joy into a single work that can move the hearts of those who see it. What is it that makes it so appealing that it captivates our hearts?
We spoke with Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture, who is known for his unparalleled love of theater, and Norihito Nakayashiki, the representative of the theater company ``Kakikui Kyaku'', which is currently attracting attention, about their passion for theater.
—Please tell us how you became interested in theater.
Kuroiwa: The origin of my acting career was at my elementary school's school play. I learned the appeal of expressing myself in a different dimension. In junior high school, he founded a drama club. At university, I belonged to a musical research group and fell in love with theater.
Nakayashiki : It all started when I played Captain Hook from ``Peter Pan'' at a play party at my nursery school. I was a shy child who had a low voice and always seemed to be in the corner, but once we had the common topic of theater rehearsals, I was able to talk to everyone. I thought this would be fun. However, once the play party is over, they return to their normal lives. So even after I entered elementary school, I only looked forward to the school play once a year (lol).
Looking back now, I think I enjoyed communicating with people more than acting.
—Do you remember your first theater experience?
My first theater experience was the Takarazuka Revue, which I saw when I was at Kuroiwa Kindergarten, and it left a very strong impression on me. Later, when I was in high school, I saw the musical movie ``West Side Story'' and was completely fascinated by musicals. In musicals, there is a sudden burst of singing and dancing in the middle of the story, so there is a lot of variety and it never gets boring. Currently, I am doing a lot of work as a governor, so people sometimes say, ``It's a lot of work,'' but I think doing a lot of things at the same time suits my sensibilities better than concentrating on one thing.
Nakayashiki : I saw Shakespeare's ``Richard III'' when I was in elementary school. My parents were reluctant, saying, ``It's too difficult for children to understand,'' but I said, ``I definitely want to see it!'' and they took me there.
What was shocking was that even though they were speaking in Japanese, I couldn't understand a single line (lol). Although it was difficult for elementary school students, I felt that it depicted the deep nature of human beings that is not even covered in textbooks. I took this as an opportunity to read Shakespeare at the library, but I still didn't understand it. However, as I read it over and over again, I began to wonder, ``Is that what it's all about?'' and I began to imagine what it would be like if I performed it. In my high school's drama club, while everyone else around me performed scripts that dealt with larger-than-life themes, I focused on Shakespeare.
—What kind of power do you think theater has?
Kuroiwa: I love musicals, so when I was stationed in Washington, DC, I often went to New York. Of course, it's a Broadway musical. Theater has the power to attract and move people in this way. Magcal's efforts are to use the magnet-like power of culture and art to attract people to Kanagawa Prefecture and bring vitality to the area. With the cooperation of Mr. Nakayashiki, the ``Kanagawa Kamome Short Drama Festival 2019'' was a great success.
As Governor Nakayashiki Kuroiwa said, I think the greatest power of theater is that it brings people together. The next thing I would like to mention is providing a topic for discussion between people. Even though everyone in the theater is watching the same show, each person's impressions are different. My parents were quiet people, but on the way home after seeing a play, they talked about so many things that they would argue. They usually only talk about indifferent things, but when they watch a play, they start talking about how they have lived their lives. That's why I love the atmosphere in the lobby after the show.
—What kind of theater would you like to create in the future?
Kuroiwa: I would like to develop more plays that incorporate local legends and folklore and have a rich regional flavor, which can only be seen by going to Kuroiwa.
Nakayashiki: Rather than thinking specifically about what kind of play I want to create, I want to create a place where the audience wants to be. When you watch a good play, you often feel a sense of unity with the person sitting next to you, thinking, ``We were watching it together,'' and you end up becoming friends. I want to create a place where the audience can have that kind of experience.
