( interview hiroshi for biohazard - smart boys 10 october 2015 )

[devilism]

Yazaki Hiroshi "I want to express my love for Resident Evil!" BIOHAZARD THE STAGE special interview ①

With a cumulative total of 65 million games sold all over the world, following the popularity of the games and the Hollywood film series the first stage play BIOHAZARD THE STAGE will be performed from October 22nd in Tokyo at EX THEATER ROPPONGI.

Events from the 5th and 6th installments of the series are shown in this work ― suddenly an attack of bioterrorism is carried out at the University of West Australia. The BSAA forces against bioterrorism of Piers and Chris, together with the former member of S.T.A.R.S. Rebecca who is teaching at that university, attempt to surpress the situation, but at that place the surprising truth hidden behind the event is revealed by the mysterious young man Tyler Howard. A new sensation of a survival horror stage.

Immediately after the presentation of this work in September, Smart Boys had a direct interview with Yazaki Hiroshi-san, Kuriyama Wataru-san and Nakamura Seijiro-san! The first person is Yazaki Hiroshi-san, who plays the mysterious protagonist Tyler Howard.


Yazaki Hiroshi-san who plays Tyler Howard
【 Since I also love the games, I want to express the love for Resident Evil! 】

First of all, please tell us your first thoughts from when it was decided you would play this role.

Since I love Resident Evil, I simply felt surprise and joy like a little kid might have. When I'm working on a stage play like this, although it doesn't seem like I'm going back to the mindset of a child, the blood of the little kid inside of me is flowing and kicking up a fuss. It was a happy feeling.

During the conference you were talking about the attentive creation and perfect mood the producer of the original game, Capcom's Kobayashi-san, set as well.

It's since I wanted to convey why I like it. (laughs)

If you don't mind me asking, just how exactly were you absorbed by Resident Evil?

My favourite is Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Once I cleared it, I played it again with the costumes changed. Even more so once I was able to obtain the infinite gatling gun and the infinite rocket launcher, since I was fighting while trying to not lose too many bullets, and then I could just leave it up to the rocket launcher. Since the smaller zombies just got completely eradicated by it, it left a strong impression on me, even until now. Like that my childhood was flooded by a sense of superiority.

Come to think of it, you were talking during the conference about how you're no good with horror, huh.

I can't go into haunted houses.

But you weren't scared of Resident Evil?

It certainly is scary, but it's interesting to play once you get into it. But after that I did feel uneasy and I was nervous.... But it's alright since you have a gun in Resident Evil. I think I could go into a haunted house if I had a gun. (laughs)

Tyler Howard, who you play, is an original character, isn't he?

Yes. Because he's the protagonist surrounding the "mystery" I can't tell a whole lot. But with the setup of a former police officer between the important characters from the games like Piers, Chris and Rebecca.. How they will interact with the original character Tyler, I think it's fun and unique to the play.


Yazaki-san, a genuine Resident Evil fan. It seems he was the most immersed in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.
Are there people among the cast you've co-starred with before?

Although I've co-starred with Umegaki Yoshiaki-san in a drama a very long time ago, since we hardly even got to exchange a glance, it's practically like I'm co-starring with everyone for the first time.

When it comes down to it, the communication with the cast is important, isn't it?

That's right. Since I interact with a lot of people as the protagonist, the creation of the scenes is very important to me.

Do you have any plans to deepen the bonds before practice is over?

I want to go and have a drink together with Chiba-san. (laughs)

Drinking together with "the world's Sonny Chiba"-san is a great opportunity. Is there anything you want to hear from Chiba-san?

There are many things I want to hear, but I just want to listen to the pure story of Chiba-san. But first I want to get on good terms with the protagonist team that are carrying out the zombie investigation.

It seems there are many among the cast for whom this is their debut, so is there any advice you want to give them as a senior in the theare field?

Right now I don't have anything in particular, but if they wanted to get some, I could give them some advice in my own special way. Because if you're discussing things together while you're making the stage play, I think you're able to face the actual performances in a relaxed way.

Could you leave a message at the end?

I want the people who don't know Resident Evil to come and see the this play for sure. Of course the fans of the games will understand it too, but since I'm a fan of the games myself, I plan to express my love for Resident Evil. Since October is the season of Halloween, make sure to come to EX THEATER ROPPONGI!


「I'm no good with horror itself, but Resident Evil is interesting!」

( link to the original )