“The 3rd Kanagawa Kamome Short Drama Festival” has come to an end! Interview with playwright Morihiko Takeshige, who wrote the play ``Kekou no Kuron'' which won three awards including the ``Kamome Award''.

- Congratulations on winning the Triple Crown! First of all, please tell me how you feel now.

To be honest, I was surprised. I was in the audience for all three stages, and I could tell from the audience that the audience was having fun watching it, so I didn't know if we would win an award or not, but I thought it would be a good experience. I did. However, I didn't expect to receive three awards.

- What made you apply for the Kanagawa Kamome Short Theater Festival in the first place?

In fact, just before the application deadline, I happened to see a call for applications on the Internet, and the condition was that ``short works that have already been performed are acceptable,'' so I used the script for the first performance of ``Kekou no Kuron'' that I had on hand. I saw this and thought I could apply by shortening it, so I applied.

- ``Desk Theory'' was originally a 30-minute piece, but wasn't it difficult to cut it down to the stipulated 20 minutes?

Of course it was difficult to cut it down, but I think the 20-minute cut made the theme clearer and easier to understand, in order to highlight the slow-moving structure of this piece. So, I wonder what the 10 minutes I cut off was worth (lol)

- By shortening the length, Takeshige's perspective on the work has changed, right?

I agree. ``Desk theory'' is really a writer's story. As a writer, I am usually on the listening side, and I listen back to tapes of interviews, and each time I listen back to them, I find that the content changes rapidly. In this work, the story is supposed to be told by a novelist, but the story keeps coming back to the listener's own surroundings, to the point where you start to wonder, ``Maybe I'll get killed?'' In the first version, the changes were slow, but in this 20-minute version, the tempo was good. I think the scary feel of the first version has disappeared, and the structure has changed for the better.

- Mr. Takeshige usually directs the performance, but this time, "Breaststroke Honten" is in charge of the direction. What was it like leaving the direction to someone else?

At first, I thought it looked interesting so I applied. (* This time, the play selection team was looking for plays to be performed.) However, when I finally handed over the work, I had an image of it being the first performance, so I never stopped wondering how it would turn out. I decided to go no-touch. That's why I didn't attend the general production and saw it for the first time in person.

- How was it when you saw it live for the first time?

surprised. ``Breaststroke Honten'' is a young company, and when it was first performed, it was slow and scary, but I was surprised at how entertaining it was. I was reminded once again how interesting theater can be when it changes so much depending on the direction.

- Did you convey that impression to everyone at "Breaststroke Main Store"?

Ah, I should have said that (lol). I did say that it was interesting. I remember that the director, Ippo Matsumoto, was sitting next to me during the performance, and we briefly nodded to each other after the performance was over. Like, that's good, that's good.

- Once again, please give us your overall impressions after participating in the "Kamome Short Drama Festival".

The fact that it can be completed in 20 minutes means that you have to think carefully about what you want to show. This time, I was seeing many theater companies for the first time, but I was able to understand how they usually create plays. In that sense, it's not a trade show, but I think it's a theater festival that only shows off the good stuff, and I think it conveys to the audience that they can meet new groups, and the groups can make new fans.

- Do you think this participation will affect your future activities?

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about moving outside of Tokyo. This time, I had the opportunity to interact with people from all over the country, and my desire to have more people see it increased.

- Lastly, please give a message to everyone reading this article.

What I thought most was that actors should apply! That's what it means. Until then, I had never thought about releasing my work, but participating this time was a very interesting experience. I think it's a rare opportunity to be able to see plays by various groups from all over the country and overseas in one day. I think Kanagawa prefecture is great.

■Finally
Mr. Takeshige has captivated many audiences with his carefully constructed works. Takeshige's next stage performance will be "Shinjuku's Purple Rose," which will be performed at Shinjuku Ophthalmology Gallery Space Basement from March 2nd (Friday) to March 5th (Monday), 2018. Takeshige is in charge of writing and directing. It is said to be a tricky work that incorporates tricks unique to theater. If you are interested in Takeshige's work in ``Desk Theory'', please come and visit us.

The 3rd Kanagawa Kamome Short Drama Festival will be broadcast on J:COM Channel and J:COM TV.
○J:COM service area within Kanagawa Prefecture (including Machida City and Inagi City, Tokyo)
J:COM channel terrestrial digital 11ch
Broadcast date and time: Saturday, March 10, 2018, 21:30-22:30
Sunday, March 18th 22:00-23:00

○J:COM service area nationwide
J:COM TV
Sapporo/Sendai/Kanto area 10ch, Kansai/Fukuoka/Kitakyushu area 12ch
Shimonoseki area 111ch, Kumamoto area 11ch
Broadcast date and time: March 4, 2018 (Sunday) 18:00-19:00
Sunday, March 18th 19:00-20:00