The 3rd Kanagawa Kamome Short Play Festival has finally begun! Interview with stage actress and Kamome Public Relations Ambassador, Kazuka Mashima, about its appeal

"Kamosai" is a festival where everyone can enjoy themselves and find their favorite plays.

- The 3rd Kanagawa Kamome Short Play Festival is about to begin. I understand that you are now serving as the promotional ambassador for the festival.

That's right. But actually, I first met Kamosai at the first event. At first, I participated as a member of the Tokyo representative team, and presented "The Invisible Man Disappears" by a theater company called "Tasuichi". At the second event, I was asked to be the MC, and I've been doing it ever since. So, I'm happy to be able to participate as both a performer and a MC (laughs). I think it's such a luxury to be able to stand on the coveted KAAT stage three times. That's why I really want more people to enjoy it, just like the two events before last.

-As this is the third time the show has been held, Kamosai has become more widely known. Is there any recommended way for people who are new to theater to enjoy the show?

Well, I think that for first-time viewers, even if they are interested in theater, they may have an image of being a little hesitant to go see it. Most theater productions last about an hour and a half to two hours, but some major productions can last more than three or four hours, so if the theme or content is different from what you imagined, it can be hard to enjoy it. However, Kamosai is designed to be enjoyable even for first-time viewers. As it is a short theater festival, the works are 20 minutes long each, and there are a total of eight theater groups participating, each with a different theme. So you can relax and enjoy the performance, and I'm sure you'll be able to find a play with a content and atmosphere that you like.

The recommended way to enjoy it is "by all means!". Why not start by looking for points that you like without thinking too much about theater or art? For example, that actor is wonderful and cute! Or the story is interesting, or even their gestures and expressions are different from everyday life. Anything. I personally feel that theater is very free. In the case of television and movies, I think the director cuts out what they want to show the way they want to show it, but theater has a high degree of freedom and each actor creates it with their own ingenuity. You are free to look anywhere on the stage. So I think you don't have to worry too much about how you look.

We want people to realize that "theater is everywhere," across cities and oceans.

-The play will feature a selection of theatre companies from around Japan and abroad. What are the characteristics of the companies and their works?

First of all, the works are very diverse. One of the major features of Kamosai is that theater companies from all over the country gather to perform, and there are few opportunities to experience works with a regional flavor. In terms of the theater companies this time, "The Night Before" by Miyagi Prefecture-based theater company "Gin's Bar" is themed on the drama of men and women after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and "Sake, Soba, Men and Women" by Shimane-based theater company "Kamejito" is about a samurai from Matsue and a soba restaurant. In this way, theater rooted in the local area is stimulating for us as performers. There are also serious and comical plays, making for a truly diverse lineup. Another thing you should definitely see is the Korean theater company "Gekidan Dokan" and their work "Alternative Family Ecology Report." We have been inviting Korean theater companies since the first event, and we are always amazed by the high quality of their plays. Theater is very popular in Korea, and I hear that in the town of Daehangno there are over 100 small theaters where plays are performed every day.

The wonderful thing about Kamosai is that you can experience theater from all over the world, regardless of city or country. I hope that you will also realize that theater is an art form that can be found anywhere.

- Kamosai is a theater festival like no other. So, what kind of stage is it for you as a performer?

It's a truly wonderful stage! (laughs). As I said before, actors don't have many opportunities to see plays being performed in places far from where they live. It's easy to group together by base... But at Kamosai, you can experience the works of theater companies from all over the country and feel the breath of the actors who are active in each area. I also feel that being able to interact is very valuable. At Kamosai, we ultimately select the winning theater company, so at the beginning, each of us has the feeling that we don't want to lose. We are rivals, and that's how I felt when I participated as an actor. But once the award ceremony is over, we feel completely different. We naturally recognize each other's plays and feel the desire to devote ourselves to theater again. It's wonderful, isn't it? In fact, there is a Korean theater troupe called "Theater Masterpiece Cornfield," with whom I began working at the first festival. They have always remembered my plays, and at the third festival, they told me, "If you ever participate in the Kamome Theater Festival again, the whole Korean team will come and support you," which was very touching.

＜The 1st Kanagawa Kamome Short Play Festival performance: Tasuichi's work "The Invisible Man Disappears"＞

Also, I am most happy to receive commentary on the performances from people I admire who serve as judges.
When re-staging a past work, we sometimes make additions or revisions, but I think it is rare to have the opportunity to rethink a script that has already been completed and performed, in such a short period of time when the memory of writing it is still fresh, and with the input of people active at the forefront of the theater world.
The performers may also receive advice on their acting, making it a very meaningful experience for them.

The award ceremony will feature an unexpected twist!? "Kamosai" made up of actors, judges and audience members

-Please tell us about your future activities, including your role as a public relations ambassador.

As a PR ambassador, I would like to use my experience as an actor and MC to be a bridge that connects many people with theater. This is a festival that both theater fans and first-timers can enjoy, and where actors can grow, so I would like to continue spreading the word about how great it is.

Personally, I am putting all my energy into the activities of my company, "Rigitter Kikaku". Until January 21st, we are performing a play called "Soko no Koto" at "CBGK Shibugeki!!" in Shibuya. The cast is very impressive, with a cast of "strong people" in the world of theater. The cast also includes former Morning Musume member Niigaki Risa, so the play is high quality and entertaining. We will also be participating in the "Shimokita Theater Festival" which will be held for a month from February. The play is a work by the MU theater company called "Kono BAR wa Church Kagu Igu Iru" (I think this bar is a church), and both are very enjoyable, so please come and see them if you are interested.

-Finally, please give us a message for the opening of Kamosai.

In today's world, it's rare to experience the "breath of other people." But I believe that emotions are born from human actions and connections. And theater is an art form that is "created by the people who are there." Please come to the venue and experience the wonder of "raw expression" that can only be achieved on stage.

I would also like to let you know that Kamosai is a "theater festival made by everyone." It is not just a festival to watch, but also includes an "Audience Award" to select the winning theater companies, so it is not all about the judges' evaluation. The results can change significantly depending on the audience's evaluation, so I think it is a place that the audience can enjoy very much. We look forward to seeing many of you there.