The 5th “Drama King” has been decided! Report on the Short Drama Battle Contest “Drama King Kanagawa V” & the winning theater company “Chili Actors” and the Executive Committee Chairman talks about the present and future of the 5th year

“Gekiou Kanagawa V” final match report

``Performance time within 20 minutes'' ``No more than 3 actors'' ``Basic stage size is 3 ken x 4 ken (5.30 m x 7.10 m)'' ``Sets are limited to props that can be changed in a few minutes'' ``Preliminaries, finals ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is held for the fifth time this year, and is held under a unique rule in which the winners are determined by votes from the audience and the judges. At the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Multipurpose Plaza, which was the venue, a qualifying tournament was held from October 14th with 4 groups and 3 blocks.Out of a total of 12 groups, 3 groups won 1st place in each block, and 2nd place in each block. The group with the most points (wild card) advanced to the finals held on the 16th.

One of the attractions of ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is that all the event management and progress is done by volunteers from each organization. The venue for the finals, packed with seats full of enthusiastic theater fans of all ages and genders, had the atmosphere of a small theater, with a quiet excitement swirling around it.

The finals started at 2:00 pm, with a cheerful opening ceremony led by Satoshi Maruo, a member of ``Office Project M that plays with the world.'' Following an introduction to the history and rules of the theater contest "Gekiou," which began as a collaboration between Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, and the Tokai Branch of the Japan Playwrights Association, we will introduce the championship that has been passed down to successive playwrights who have won the "Kanagawa Dramateller" title. Prizes will be introduced. The prize is an original sukajan that can only be found in Kanagawa! The authentic Gekiou Kanagawa Skajan, made by a famous shop on Yokosuka's Dobuita Street, is an authentic version with the Kanagawa prefecture mark and the names of past Kanagawa Gekiou embroidered on it. Mr. Maruo's enthusiastic introduction to Sukajan drew applause and laughter from the audience.

Mr. Satoshi Maruo

After the opening ceremony, each piece will be performed. The first to appear is "Gekidan 820 Seisakusho Annex" (Yokohama), which ranked first in Block B of the preliminary round. Their play ``Under the Light of the Moon'' is about three childhood friends who now have different positions and occupations, and as they talk around a bonfire in a dark forest, their mysterious pasts and disadvantaged present are revealed. Dark and serious works are being released. I was left breathless by the crazy acting and mysterious developments in which evil and good intentions intermingled.

Gekidan 820 Seisakusho / Annex / Photo provided by Gekiou Kanagawa Executive Committee

2nd place went to ``Shirazunouchi'' by ``Chili Actors'' (Odawara), who won first place in qualifying block A. The title gives a serious image, but the main character (?) of this work is actually a wisdom tooth! (Of course, it's the "teeth"!) A mother-in-law man who is suffering from the discomfort of his molars but is too scared to go to the dentist, says, ``If I don't get mine removed right now, I'll get cavities and it'll be a big problem.'' The pop and speedy conversation between the wisdom tooth, the culprit behind the pain, who keeps warning the audience, ``This is it!'', sent the audience into a whirlpool of laughter.

Chili Actors / Photo provided by Gekiou Kanagawa Executive Committee

The third team to appear was ``21gza'' (Hiyoshi), who participated as a wild card in 2nd place in B block of qualifying. 21g-za is a unit derived from Keio University's theater club, and since their activities will end in the future, this is their last chance to take on the challenge of becoming ``Gekiou Kanagawa''. In ``Heisei Hyakki Yagyo'', which depicts the chase between a writer who fails to meet deadlines and a female editor, she gave a youthful and passionate performance that put her body on the line.

21gza / Photo provided by Gekiou Kanagawa Executive Committee

The last performance of the final was the voice performed by the 1st place winner of Block C in the qualifying round, ``Shaggy Head and Flat Glasses'' (Yokohama). This work depicts a woman who puts her life on the line for dance, as she dances madly trying to complete a certain dance while talking to herself in the mirror, who speaks to another voice inside her. The audience was captivated by the authentic dance performance and serious acting performed by the two actresses as they paired up and sometimes intertwined.

Shaggy head and fluttering glasses / Photo provided by Gekiou Kanagawa Executive Committee

After the performances of the four groups were completed, the three final judges were: actor, voice actor, director, sound director, and representative of "Shonan Teatro☆dell'Arte", Hozumi Goda, and playwright, director, and director of "Minamosa". Misaki Setoyama and actress Mari Nakayama from Rinkogun left their seats to vote for the judges, and audience votes were also held in the audience seats, waiting for the tally.

Before announcing the results, each judge gave their own comments. Playwrights from each group also took to the stage. With a solemn look on their faces, they listened intently to each person's strict but loving reviews and advice for each play.

Once the reviews are complete, it's time to announce the results. Every time the scores of each judge for each group and the number of votes from the audience are written on the whiteboard in the center of the stage, the audience cheers and roar. And the final result was decided to be ``Chile Actors'', who won 76 points out of 173 total votes! As soon as the result was decided, Hiroshi Oshima, the writer and director who played the role of wisdom teeth in ``Shizu Uchi'', burst into tears and gave a fist pump. He hugged and shook hands with performers Shun Ikeya and Suzuka Kimura, and said, ``Thank you very much. I've been competing for four years, and I'm glad I've been able to open up again this year and do what I love.'' I was also a member of the committee, and before that I was like, ``Why don't we do it anyway?'' ``I thought so, but there's no contest that's run this fair! I'll keep doing my best!'' he commented as the 5th Drama King, putting on a Skajan jacket and receiving a big round of applause from the venue. .

Furthermore, judge Hozumi Goda said, ``I feel that the level of performance has improved year by year.In particular, the Chili Actors were one with the venue.I think this is the power of theater.'' Misaki Setoyama also commented, ``There were a lot of great works in the preliminary rounds.``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is the best because you can feel the desire of the audience to liven up the event.'' At the end, Tomofumi Nakayama, chairman of the tournament executive committee and director of ``Gekidan 820 Seisakusho Annex,'' called all the contestants to the stage, and the winner, Mr. Oshima, said, ``If you want to become the 6th Drama King Kanagawa, this is the place to go.'' Come to Odawara to pick up your Skajan! Next time, let's do it in Odawara!'', the event ended on a lively note.

``Gekiou Kanagawa V'' ended with tears, laughter, enthusiasm, and excitement. The winning group, Chili Actors, will represent Kanagawa Prefecture at the 2nd Kanagawa Kamome Short Theater Festival , which will be held at the KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater Large Studio from Thursday, March 2, 2017 to Sunday, March 5, 2017. has been decided. The ``Kanagawa Kamome Short Drama Festival'' is a short drama festival in which 10 selected groups from all over the country and 2 groups invited from overseas participate, each group competing with each other by performing for 20 minutes. If you missed ``Shirazu Uchini,'' which was full of fresh laughter and the power of theater, please come and visit the ``Kanagawa Kamome Short Theater Festival.''

“Gekiou Kanagawa V” winner “Chili Actors” interview

--The Chili Actors have participated in "Gekioh Kanagawa II" for four consecutive years. Finally, we have won the title of 5th generation "Gekiou Kanagawa". congratulations.

All : Thank you!!

From left: Mr. Oshima, Mr. Ikeya, and Mr. Kimura.

――The recently announced ``Shirazunouchi'' is a heart-warming human comedy that interweaves a wisdom tooth played by Mr. Oshima, a wisdom tooth owner who hates dentists played by Mr. Ikeya, and various supporting characters played by Mr. Kimura. I was surprised from the beginning by the humorous idea of anthropomorphizing wisdom teeth. Mr. Oshima, the writer and director, why did you come up with this theme?

Oshima : I actually had my wisdom teeth removed this year. The details of the dentist's knowledge that appeared in the movie, and the fact that he cut a wisdom tooth in half and pulled it out after it grew sideways and had a cavity were all very realistic experiences. What's more, the dentist is telling me that I should have another tooth removed, which is an ongoing true story. Of course, I haven't pulled that out yet either! (lol)

Kimura : Just like in the movie, you keep running away from difficulties (lol).

--What did the two actors think when they received such a unique script?

Kimura : Until now, when I appeared on "Gekiou Kanagawa", there were many serious stories. Last year's ``Touchable Type'' and before that ``I don't know, I can't help it, I don't know anymore. ' was also a story about life and death, so I was surprised at first. I said, ``Is it okay to be this comical even though it's an important drama king?Are you serious?'' (laughs)

Ikeya : When I first heard about it, I thought, "Teeth?" and was really surprised (lol). However, when I received the script, it seemed like it would be fun for me as an actor, so I went into rehearsals with excitement.

Oshima : Last year, I made it to the finals for the first time, but I was disappointed that I couldn't win, so this year I thought it would be my last, and I said, ``I don't care if it's called a skit, so I'll do what I like, and work with the audience.'' Let's have some fun!'' I decided to take on the challenge of creating a comedy that was ``100% funny.'' Even during rehearsals, we brushed up the script while consulting with other members of the theater company, so I believe that all the members of the company worked together to create ``Shirazu Uchi ni.''

Ikeya : ...This might be the first time I've seen Oshima so sincerely thank the members of the theater company (bitter smile).

――The audience was laughing all the time during the finals, but did you get a good response from the preliminaries?

Oshima : Yes, there was. But during the preliminary rounds, Mr. Setoyama told me that it would be better to have a scene with Kimura and the three of us, instead of just a scene with me and Ikeya. Until last year, I had a strange sense of pride in myself and didn't agree with the reviews in the preliminaries, but this time, for the first time, I thought, ``That's right!'' and it took me until the morning of the finals to rewrite the script.

--That was tough, huh. In the first place, ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' has detailed rules such as performance time and number of performers, so it requires a different awareness and sensibility than normal performances, right?

Kimura : That's right. I don't usually have the opportunity to do a 20-minute play, so it's fun to pull it off with my acting.

Ikeya : In a typical 60- or 90-minute play, there are always parts that you can't pay attention to. ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is short, so it's fun for me as an actor to be able to refine and refine the details each time we rehearse.

Oshima : As a writer, I find it easier to write when there are constraints. You can change it completely at your own discretion. However... it's so deep that it's difficult to express how. In that sense, I think it was a good idea to focus on plays that would make you laugh for 20 minutes this time. As an actor, in a 20-minute performance, there are far more things that are not described about the character, so it is more difficult to use your imagination than in a normal play.

――And with this ``Shirazunouchi'' in tow, you will be representing Kanagawa at the ``Kanagawa Kamome Short Story Theater Festival'' in March next year. How do you want to fight next?

Kimura : To be honest, I haven't really felt it yet... (bitter smile). However, at the last Kanagawa Kamome Short Drama Festival, I was on stage as an MC, but not as an actor, so I'm really, really happy!

Oshima : It seems like you've realized it now (lol).

Iketani : From now on, we will continue to practice for next year, so we will never forget our original intention of ``let's make this a stage that entertains the audience,'' and I want to work hard at it.

Oshima : Next is the large studio at KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater, so the stage is also spacious. I think the use of sketchbooks for production needs to be modified for larger stages. In terms of content, as was pointed out in the final review, I would like to make adjustments to increase the drama by expressing the fear of having wisdom teeth removed. I also hope that I can deliver laughter in a simpler way, using my body in a big way. I would be happy if more people would come to see our plays through this opportunity, so if that happens, I will continue to brush my teeth so that ``Shizu Uchi'' becomes a masterpiece for Chili Actors. want to go! (lol)

“Gekiou Kanagawa” executive committee chairman Tomofumi Nakayama (theater 045 syndicate) Interview

――First of all, how do you look back on “Gekiou Kanagawa V” where a new Gekiou was born?

Nakayama : Originally, “Gekiou Kanagawa” started in 2012, when Mr. Norihiko Tsukuda of the Tokai Branch of the Japan Playwrights Association, who was the creator of “Gekiou” which was held in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, suggested that it be held in Kanagawa. It all started when I was asked to do this. At that time, Mr. Tsukuda said, ``It is nonsense to rank plays based on points; there is no superiority or inferiority to each play.However, if you do it five times in a row, you will surely develop young writers who will win awards.''

Mr. Tomofumi Nakayama

--That “fifth time” has finally arrived this year.

Nakayama : That's right. So, what I thought was the best thing about this time was that the audience watched the play in a very flat manner. Over the past five years, the unique way of enjoying ``Gekioh'' and the system have become established for both audiences and creators. I think this was reflected in the mobilization result, which was the first time this year that the venue was fully booked.

--Has there been any change in the theater scene in Kanagawa since "Gekiou Kanagawa" has taken root in the region?

Nakayama : Yes. In fact, one of the things that has changed with ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is that as it has continued, more and more young people have been participating, and there has been an increase in interaction between people involved with the theater company. As one of the participants active in Yokohama, I have received the titles of the first and second generation Drama King Kanagawa, but Oshima-kun, who won this year, is based in Odawara. Without this event, we would not have had the opportunity to meet each other. Deepening regional exchanges, especially among the younger generation, will be good for the future of Kanagawa theater. With this as an opportunity, we can expect that theater companies from different regions will perform together in the future.

--The judges' comments also said that the level has improved year by year, but how do you feel about the content?

Nakayama : As Hozumi Goda said on stage, the performance system for Gekiou has a lot of restrictions, so there's a certain way to fight. In that sense, the participating organizations have become more creative and able to demonstrate their individuality for this event. I think that this led to the results of Chili Actors, Oshima-kun and others.

--Mr. Nakayama, who has served as an executive committee member for five years, how do you want "Gekiou Kanagawa" to develop in the future?

Nakayama : In his final speech this time, Oshima-kun said, ``If you want to become the 6th Gekiou, come to Odawara to pick up your Sukajan.'' Up until now, the event has been held in Yokohama, so Odawara, I think it would be interesting to do it in various cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, such as Sagamihara and Atsugi. Personally, I would definitely go to Hakone. Isn't it fun to hold a theater contest in a hot spring hotel's banquet hall? (lol)

--That's new!

Nakayama : Five years have passed since Gekiou Kanagawa, and I would like to try new things. I think it would be a good idea if Oshima-kun's generation, who are in their mid-twenties, took charge of the executive committee, which was created by our generation. It's a handmade event, so we don't have any money (lol), but out of respect for the original ``Gekioh'', I want to always cherish the feeling that this is an event that we create.

--As the first and second generation Gekiou, Mr. Nakayama himself would like to see this event continue in the future.

Nakayama : Of course. This time, ``Under the Light of the Moon,'' which I was involved in directing, unfortunately didn't win the award, but I want to regain my title as drama king soon (lol). As a theater fan myself, I think ``Gekiou Kanagawa'' is a very interesting event. It can also be enjoyed as a showcase for a wide variety of groups from a variety of genres, so I hope that this event will encourage people to come see performances by various theater companies and writers, and liven up the Kanagawa theater scene. There are some changes in the same program between the finals and the preliminaries, so next time please watch from the preliminaries.