Hiroichi Tatekata's Danceable LIFE Vol. 8
Aiming to be a performer with a strong presence.
Hirokazu Tatekata (Actor, Dancer, Choreographer)
THE CONVOY SHOW gave me the opportunity to be in the spotlight, as I was just a member of an ensemble. It's a unit founded by its founder, Nezumi Imamura, who gathered dancers who had come from ensembles. As THE CONVOY SHOW came out into the world, I was seen by more people, and I also had more opportunities to perform on various stages.
At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to appear in the musical "Hamlet." I had worked with the composer, Sayuri Fukui, before, and her music is quite unique; it's as if the lines themselves have been turned into songs. It's incredibly difficult, but also very appealing and rewarding. Of course, all the songs are original. I was honored to be given three songs, but just getting the notes right was a challenge; it felt like a form of training (laughs).
In musicals, it's crucial to convey meaning through song, as if it were dialogue. You exist within the story as the character you're portraying, and you sing as that character, but getting to that point is quite a challenge. Of course, it's a fun challenge, and it's a wonderful opportunity to try something new.
I'm not a particularly skillful dancer, so when I express a character through dance, I've always thought more about "how to convey the character's presence" rather than "how to make the dance look good." While some dances demand a lot of technique, I really enjoyed exploring how to express a character through dance, not just dancing stylishly, but how to act and exist within the character.
In that sense, I am very happy and find it rewarding to have the opportunity to play roles that go beyond the realm of dance, such as in straight plays and musicals. Of course, I love dancing, so I am truly grateful when I am asked to do so, but I feel a great sense of joy when people seek out the presence of Hiroichi Tatekata as an expressive artist, rather than when they are asked to perform as a dancer.
If I had only relied on being cool, I don't think I could have lasted this long (laughs). Especially considering that I'll be getting older, into my 60s and 70s, that wouldn't be very interesting, would it?
What I find appealing are performers whose possibilities expand as they get older. For them, aging isn't a negative thing, but a positive. Wouldn't it be wonderful to become a performer who, with each passing year, makes people think, "This role would suit them," or "I'd love to see them play this role"? I would be happy if I could acquire the mysteriousness, allure, beauty, and venom that come with age.
