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From: Kageki, March 2009

Moon Troupe Bow Hall Performance
3/12 ~ 3/29

The Two Noble Kinsmen

Participants
(Playwright/Director) Koyanagi Naoko
(Moon Troupe) Ryū Masaki, Asumi Mirio


Koyanagi: The original work "The Tale of Two Kinsmen" came into my hands at just the right time, as I was thinking about what work to produce for Ryū-san and Asumi-san, and I thought that this would fit the two of them. Also, there has been a run of modern-day settings for the Bow Hall shows recently, so I decided that I wanted to try something classic, and I also decided that I wanted to devote myself not as a story creator, but as a dramatist and a director; for these reasons I chose this work. The original "The Two Noble Kinsmen" was a collaboration by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, and the last work of Shakespeare (which still exists). In this tale, the principals are close friends and cousins, the noblemen Palamon and Arcite. These two become prisoners of war of another country, both become smitten with a princess of that land, and they compete for the princess in a duel. Ryū-san will perform Palamon, and Asumi-san will perform Arcite.

Ryū: I read the original, but the first half was difficult, and as I was reading it I also was reading the translator's notes and looking various things up, so I didn't get anywhere with it... But from about the mid-point I read it in one sitting. I think the point may have been the exchange between the two of them in the jail, when Palamon catches sight of a beautiful woman, and then inadvertently tells Arcite. In the original work, that section is quite long. When the beautiful woman is spotted, there's a line where he says, "Ha!"

Koyanagi: I asked the translator Kawai-sensei many things, and it seems that that section was written by John Fletcher. If it were Shakespeare, in the instant that a beautiful woman was spotted, the lines used to express the surprise of that moment would be more like, "so beautiful she shines...". John Fletcher gives a moment of silence, expressing it by the character not being able to say a word. They say that in those days, this was a very novel approach.

Ryū/Asumi: Huuuh.

Ryū: We really have to emphasize that scene, don't we? (laughs)

Asumi: (laughs)

Koyanagi: This time, the set is all-white and two-tiered, constructed to imitate an Elizabethan theater, there is a live band behind the set, and you can see the props and costumes upstage.... these are some of the many things that I'm thinking of playing with.

Ryū: Even in what you've told us about wanting to add something to this with the strength of the director, and from being shown the set, I feel that this is going to be an amazingly good learning opportunity for the two of us, and I feel that it's going to be a performance worth seeing.

Asumi: At first I read the original work because I wanted to know the outline, but then I felt that it was very interesting. This time I play Arcite, one of a pair of close male friends, and it's been a while since I've done this kind of play with Ryū-san. I look forward to being tightly involved with Ryū-san.

Koyanagi: In a commercial performance, of course the set and costumes, songs and dances that we show should entertain, but I believe that the foundation is the acting. In Shakespeare's age, there were no sets, the locations were expressed in the dialogue, shown through the acting. I myself have directed shinjin kōen performances for the various troupes, with many chances to focus on the directing and acting aspects, which I felt was very interesting, and then I wanted to create a performance where the main point was to show the acting. In addition, I was contemplating the meaning of Bow Hall, which is used to perform shows which can be done there, and no where else, and I think it will be an interesting challenge. As for the costumes, they have a white base, and then I thought of various ways of doing things, such as perhaps wrapping the villagers in primary colors, while putting the soldiers in armor.

Ryū: Will we also have only one costume?

Koyanagi: No, no (laughs). You'll have a number of them. At first you'll have similar costumes, but finally you'll have completely different colors, to show the different paths you have parted to take. There is something in me that would like to whittle down even the costumes in some way, to show the performance....

Ryū: It sounds very difficult.

Koyanagi: Difficult, but interesting, and I have many ideas floating around. Even the set, for the scene in the jail it won't be a jail set, but rather that you can sense the jail reflected in the curtains; I would like to create a play where you can see that distinction.

Ryū: I feel that that means doing your best with your body alone, no possessions.

Koyanagi: That's right. That is the meaning that I would like to take as a challenge.

Ryū: I think in the Grand Theater there are the sets, costumes, countless things to aid us, so I'm frightened of not having them, but I feel that to perform without depending on these things will be quite a challenge for each and every person. Each of us has a serious responsibility.

Asumi: It feels as if we come together even more.

Koyanagi: In this show there's a fight in the prologue, accompanied only by live percussion. I think it's really not bad.

Ryū: I think it will be a very forceful prologue.

Koyanagi: This time I want to paint a story about the relations between men in a men's society, so I thought it would be good to give it a strong male odor, and gave it a powerful prologue. The two have a complicated friendship, become rivals, it is complex, so much that when they have conflicting views, things turn sour. That is also a part that I want to write interestingly, to highlight as a conversation much like anyone could have today.

Ryū: There's a finale, isn't there?

Koyanagi: In the show there is the set-up for a May Day celebration, and so the finale is the celebration itself. I put it in as a finale so that the play isn't stopped midway.

Ryū: I'm really looking forward to what Mirio (Asumi) and I can do together. In Grand Theater performances, we often have various things together, and lately I feel as if there are things which can only be done by the two of us together. So I think there is a deeper meaning behind the two of us having a show together like this now. Mirio and I are rivals, or rather partners who can draw out each other's charm; I think we are partners who can bing out in each other things which we ourselves don't know we have.

Koyanagi: I suppose it works because your distinctive characteristics are different.

Ryū: We're not completely opposite types, but I don't think we're going down the same path, and our personalities are complete opposites (laughs).

Asumi: (laughs)

Ryū: That's why there are things that we can bring out in each other, which is interesting. This show has novel techniques, methods of expression; there are many things which I've never experienced before, so I'm taking in a naturally increasing number of fresh sensations.

Asumi: This show, it's amazing how driven I am to do things spot-on. There are many underclassmen members, giving it a very youthful feel, and everyone is able to band together. Ever since her shinjin kōen years, I've watched and learned from Ryū-san, and her way of pulling everyone along with her is amazing! She dashes off at the start, "Wow!"

Ryū: I'm impetuous (laughs).

Asumi: No, no (laughs). Ryū-san also does a lot of independent rehearsals....

Ryū: But that was for my own sake 'cause there was somethin' that I couldn't do (laughs).

Asumi: Because I've seen that side of Ryū-san, I also want to have the opportunity to be helpful.

Koyanagi: Of course I want to bring about a good result with this show, but not simply looking at going after the value -- through this work I'm creating something I want to express. If I can convey that to the audience, and then link that to a result of value, that is what I think is best. I feel now that this "expressive" work that I've wanted to do for so long has come close now to a good point.... I'm really looking forward to it, and I definitely think it will be interesting (laughs).

Ryū: When I listen to your talk, I think that perhaps we'll be showing a new side of Takarazuka.

Koyanagi: I want to show an atmosphere, as if painting a picture on a white canvas. I want to be able to show, not a "finished" work, but one with a live feel.

Date: 2009-05-27 05:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fubusan.livejournal.com
*g* thank you for translating this !!

I'm really looking forward to what Mirio (Asumi) and I can do together. In Grand Theater performances, we often have various things together, and lately I feel as if there are things which can only be done by the two of us together. So I think there is a deeper meaning behind the two of us having a show together like this now. Mirio and I are rivals, or rather partners who can draw out each other's charm; I think we are partners who can bing out in each other things which we ourselves don't know we have.
awww Masao <333 Said like that, it looks like a Top Star/Nibante relation ship x3


Mirio seems very shy and silent as usual ~

Date: 2009-05-28 12:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
<3<3 And here I thought you would be the only one to comment. I guess more people love our ladies than I thought. ;)

Date: 2009-05-27 05:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ceteranna.livejournal.com
Will we also have only one costume?

Ahahaha. Oh Masaki. You clothes horse. XD

Poor Mirio. Trying so hard not to step on any toes in this meteoric path they've got her on.

Date: 2009-05-28 12:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
*laughs* It's a pretty random comment in an otherwise tightly edited conversation. Makes me really wonder what got cut?

Masaki: And we get to play with fake blood!

Asumi: ..... ........... ..............


And I love that Mirio is Mirio, but Masaki is Ryuu-san. <3 Go, Mirio, keep up those traditions!

Date: 2009-05-28 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ceteranna.livejournal.com
It cracked me up in the Kinsman goaisatsu, how overwhelmingly respectful Mirio was when speaking about Masaki... I couldn't quite tell if that's just Mirio's style, or if she has little case of colleague-crush on her "Ryuu-sempai", or if Masaki just intimidates the heck out of her backstage... XD

Date: 2009-05-28 03:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
She comes across as soft-spoken and polite in all the interviews that I've seen (granted, not many). Masaki is pretty brash in comparison, and always has been. Definitely opposite personalities!

Date: 2009-05-27 05:48 pm (UTC)
winter: (Default)
From: [personal profile] winter
I agree that they sound very top star and nibante here! Thank you for translating :)

(I recently saw the digest of the Akatsuki no Roma shinjin-kouen, and both Masaki and Mirio were wonderful there. I think I need to get my hands on this play.)

Date: 2009-05-28 12:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
I love Masaki as Brutus! She's great in the hammy tragic roles. <3

I'm really, really hoping they don't wait an entire year before broadcasting "Kinsmen" on Sky Stage....

Date: 2009-05-28 04:51 am (UTC)
winter: (todesglocken - Hazel)
From: [personal profile] winter
And I'm hoping that once it's broadcast on Sky Stage, some kind soul tapes it ;)

Also, the comments about Bow Hall being for experimentation really chime in with what I observed from the DVDs I've got (especially Epiphany). It's so much more of an intimate venue, and I guess the short show runs mean that even if something doesn't work, it's not so much of an investment, especially since there's usually no ostrich feathers...

Date: 2009-05-30 12:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
That won't be an issue, trust me. ♥

I love Bow Hall shows -- they really do get to break the boundaries a bit, particularly with the darker ones.

and I guess the short show runs mean that even if something doesn't work, it's not so much of an investment, especially since there's usually no ostrich feathers...

Hahhah, yeah, totally. ;)

Date: 2009-05-27 06:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muffin-song.livejournal.com
I found the comment about how Koyanagi-sensei wanted to find a play for Masaki and Mirio very interesting (as opposed to Koyanagi-sensei having found The Two Noble Kinsmen first, and then casting it). I guess this makes sense, but it's an interesting insight anyway.

Date: 2009-05-28 12:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
You noticed that too? I found that really interesting. Shows to fit the stars, indeed! I didn't realize they did that with the smaller shows as well as the Daigekijo ones.

Date: 2009-05-27 06:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dinhu-4ever.livejournal.com
Koyanagi: This time, the set is all-white and two-tiered, constructed to imitate an Elizabethan theater, there is a live band behind the set, and you can see the props and costumes upstage.... these are some of the many things that I'm thinking of playing with.

Wow, that's interesting! I wonder if the show will get released on DVD in the near future. I really hope it does. Do you think it would translate well from stage to screen?

Ryū: I'm impetuous (laughs).

Masaki, you dork <333333

Date: 2009-05-28 12:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
I don't think it'll get released to DVD until Masaki or Mirio are top stars (if they go that far). But it should be broadcast on Sky Stage; I'm hoping sooner rather than later. ;)

Date: 2009-05-27 07:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bosozoku-spirit.livejournal.com
Kageki has been the only magazine to feature interesting columns lately ! I'm glad you pay attention to these too.

Koyanagi's theory of Bow Hall as a place for raw performance. Hmmmm... lemme think about that again later.

Date: 2009-05-28 12:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
Oh, yeah! I'm always telling people that Kageki is better than Graph. Lots more "real" theater tidbits, less favorite flavors of ice cream. ;)

I remember reading/hearing in some official Hankyu thing or other that that was the original purpose of Bow Hall -- Like the bow of a ship, cleaving out a path with new and original ideas. Makes sense, no orchestra, smaller cast, less financial risk. ...Audience closer to the stage...... <3<3<3

Date: 2009-05-28 08:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bosozoku-spirit.livejournal.com
Kageki's editorial line is far better than Graph for me too (I hardly don't buy the latest anymore), but that depends on people's expectations/skills. If you can't read/understand japanese at all, Kageki is useless... so you better stick to the photos-type. Really depends of what you can make out of it and your personal interests. I think some japanese people may really care about fave ice cream flavors and are always asking for more details ;)

Yup, former producer Hashimoto Masao described it in one of his books as an experimental place for young playwrights. Grand theater anteroom. Still the idea of making something really raw according to this atmosphere and introducing play concepts that could never take place in the average big scene (cf takarazukachou acting...) is interesting.

Date: 2009-05-30 12:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
A lot of people say that, but there are stage photos in Kageki too, and (even better, in my opinion) backstage photos galore. Plus the color portraits in the front. I let my Graph subscription lapse last year, but I kept my Kageki going. <3

I have to admit, though, despite all the high-minded talk.... "Kinsmen" was pretty hammy. *laughs* Maybe it's because they were breaking so much with their comfort zone, or maybe because it's Shakespearean tragedy, but they were adorably over-the-top most of the time.

Date: 2009-05-28 01:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faux-semblant.livejournal.com
Mirio and I are rivals, or rather partners who can draw out each other's charm;

your girl really love competition! like if she asks "Hankyu god who will be top the first!!?)

Masaki really can talk for 3 people ^^:::::

Date: 2009-05-30 12:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
I hope she doesn't keep going TOO fast! She's going to over-shoot, and miss the 100 year anniversary! No, Masaki, nooo~

Masaki really can talk for 3 people ^^:::::

*g*

Date: 2009-05-29 02:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiddywonkus.livejournal.com
Oh, please let me able to see this before I leave Japan! *cross fingers* It sounds like they are really taking risks with the staging and the setting. Oh, how I would love to see Zuka be a bit more experimental.

Date: 2009-05-30 12:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caithion.livejournal.com
Oh, how I would love to see Zuka be a bit more experimental.

Me too, me too.... At least they give it a good try every other Bow Hall. ;)

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