August 8th is "Laughter Day" Oimachi Hometown Theater Company & Comedy Live Troupe Leader "Suberi Mercury-san" (Oimachi, Ashigarakami District)

Sly Mercury

Suberi Mercury (Hello Project) Profile
Oimachi Smile Correspondent.
Born in 1981 in Minamiashigara City.

◇August 8th is a day filled with laughter all over Japan!

(Severley Mercury, the troupe's leader, directing the performance)

-Since last year, you have been working as a smile correspondent for Oimachi. This time, you will be leading a performance by the Oimachi Hometown Theater Company. First of all, please tell us your honest thoughts.

Suberi Mercury: I was born in Minamiashigara City, which is close to Oimachi, and by chance I was given the opportunity to be Oimachi's Smile Correspondent since last year. Specifically, I work in the Planning and Finance Division of Oimachi Town Hall about two days a week, where I work to promote the charms of Oimachi to people both inside and outside the town. I make promotional videos for the local fruit feijoa and Oimachi tourism, and I also produce some of the PR materials, but the people of Oimachi are just so kind and I love them. I'm really looking forward to our inaugural performance on August 8th, and can't wait!

-What kind of people gathered for the Oimachi Furusato Theater Company? Also, how was the script created?

Suberi Mercury: We called for applications from the public for the Oimachi Hometown Theatre Company, and 13 interested applicants, ranging from elementary school students to people in their 40s who live in Oimachi, will be taking to the stage. The members of the company include some who are active as actors, and some junior high school students who want to get into the world of theater, but most of them have never been involved in theater before. The script is completely original, written by a writer who is also involved in Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, who carefully assessed the characteristics of each member. All I can say here is that it is set in Oimachi and that it will be funny, but in short, it is a comedy. It will make you laugh!

--Watching the rehearsals, everyone seems to be performing with such confidence that it's hard to believe they are beginners.

Suberi Mercury: It's true that many of the people living in Oimachi have never acted before, but everyone has come together in a spirit of mutual support to prepare for the opening performance. We've been practicing really hard, so I hope you'll enjoy watching with a kind heart. The story is easy to follow, so I think even small children will be able to understand it and laugh along with adults.

-First of all, what is the significance of Yoshimoto Kogyo holding such a performance nationwide at the same time?

Suberi Mercury: I think that the local community and comedians like us can work closely together to liven up the community through laughter. Laughter has the power to cheer people up. Comedy can spread the charm of the community both inside and outside the country, and it would be amazing if everyone across the country could laugh and feel energized at the same time.

- Why did you decide to become a comedian?

Suberi Mercury: When I was in Odawara High School, I played the lead role in a comedy play at the school festival for my second and third years. Even back then, I was a show-off and loved to make people laugh and entertain them. By this time, I had already decided that I wanted to pursue a career in comedy. I entered Waseda University, and in my second year, I joined Yoshimoto Kogyo's training school, and after graduating from university, I went straight into comedy.

--At that time, most of your classmates were getting jobs, so did you ever have any doubts about pursuing a career in comedy?

Suberi Mercury: No. When I entered university, I thought I would go to a training school after graduation, but I couldn't wait. I still have no doubts. I just love laughter, and I think I've always had a strong desire to make people laugh.

◇ Members of the Oimachi Furusato Theater Company, please tell us why you applied and what your role is.◇

Aika Takaida

The role of Ishii Aika, a second-year junior high school student who aspires to be an actress, is played by Takaida Aika (14 years old).
I am currently in my third year of junior high school. I am very interested in acting, but unfortunately there is no drama club at my junior high school. I was asking around to various people to see if there was anywhere I could act, and someone told me about this theater company, so I applied first. The members of the theater company range from people who have never acted before to people who are serious about acting, and it is a lot of fun working together to create a stage show. The character is an aspiring actress, and I myself am aiming to be in the theater world, so first of all I want to do my best in the inaugural performance.

　

Jintaro Kuroiwa

The role of Kuroiwa, the president of Kuroiwa Productions, is played by Jintaro Kuroiwa (37 years old).
I am also active as a professional actor. I was invited by the town hall to participate. Unlike making a movie or other video work, once the curtain opens on a play, it cannot be stopped. You cannot "wait a minute, do it again." That is the fun of the play, but when I first met the members of the theater company, I honestly felt, "Is this okay?" The performance date was just a little over a month away, and I was worried whether we could finish the play in this state. Then, as we practiced again, the overall level improved rapidly. I was surprised at the power and hard work of the Oi town residents. Each actor has many highlights in each scene, so please watch while paying attention to the performance of each member.

Ayaka Shibuya

The role of Ayaka, a scout at Kuroiwa Productions, is played by Ayaka Shibuya (27 years old).
This is my first time acting, and I usually work as an office worker. I applied because I like to be loud and stand out, and because it's the first time in the prefecture that a comedian and a local townsperson have come together to form a theater company, and I thought it would be interesting. The character is a very kind woman on the surface, but always angry behind closed doors, making her a very polarized character. I hope the audience will enjoy playing the two sides of her personality.

Yusuke Ishii

The role of Aika's older brother, "Ishii", is played by Yusuke Ishii (28 years old), an employee of Oi Town Hall.
I never thought I would be the one to do it. I was recommended to appear by everyone at work, as it would be good to have at least one town hall employee in the theater company. Even at drinking parties, I'm not the type to take the initiative and liven things up, but rather the type to drink in the corner. I think they probably thought I would not turn it down and recommended it. At first, I was worried about what would happen, but as we practiced, the momentum of the theater company has increased, and we have become more united. Everyone is really working hard. I hope you will laugh and enjoy the opening performance of Kanagawa Prefecture's first hometown-themed play set in Oimachi!

Sly Mercury

Suberi Mercury: I will be appearing as "Suberi," a man who sells dreams.
I once auditioned for Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, but I was rejected in the final round. I am very happy to be able to perform this comedy with the Oimachi Furusato Theater Company. I hope to deliver a comedy that is funny and full of cheesy humor, that doesn't hurt anyone, and that will make everyone, from small children to the elderly, laugh with laughter.
On the day, comedians Onishi Lion and Pistachio will also be there for a comedy live performance, so please come and enjoy the laughs! Thank you! Rock! Thank you very much!!