( interview yuuki, junya, shougo & tomoru for star people - smart boys october 2016 )

[devilism]

Created and directed by Ikeda Junya, starring him, Suzuki Shougo, Akazawa Tomoru and Izawa Yuuki! "Star☆People!!" Feature


Since the scriptwriter and director Ikeda-san is in another meeting right now, we'll hear the story first from Suzuki Shougo-san, Akazawa Tomoru-san and Izawa Yuuki-san!

Suzuki: Let's say bad things about Junya while he's not here. (laughs)
Izawa: I agree! (laughs)

Although it's the first time you're all participating in a production that Ikeda-san has written and produced, you have all been co-stars in the past here and there.

Suzuki: This is the 10th time I'm co-starring with him, I was also part of the previous production, En*Geki #01.
Akazawa: I've performed in plays together with these two before, but it's the first time that I'm co-starring with Ikeda-kun!
Izawa: Although it's the first time I'm part of a production he's directed, it's now the third time I'm co-starring with Ikeda-kun.

I'd especially like to hear from Suzuki-san, who has a close bond with Ikeda-san, since Ikeda-san always goes to watch every production that Suzuki-san is starring in. What did you feel when you got a request to star in En*Geki #02 from Ikeda-san who knows you so well.

Suzuki: I was simply happy. I already knew from when I was doing En*Geki #01 that Junya has an amazing ability to make the things he wants to do into reality. Going from a reading play last time around to a straight play now, and moreover staged in the Kinokuniya hall, the scale has become bigger. Rather than being glad I was called to perform in this because we're friends, I'm glad because of the expectations I have for this production.

Does Akazawa-san, who is co-starring for the first time with Ikeda-san, have any common ground with him?

Akazawa: I saw some of the productions Ikeda-kun was part of since we share a lot of acquaintances, and when I came to see those performances, we exchanged some greetings in the dressing room.

What kind of impression did you have of Ikeda-san with those kind of interactions?

Akazawa: He's a guy who's great at acting, to a point where it feels like he can do anything. Although Ikeda-kun is a little younger than me age-wise, as an actor he's above my level. So when I watch him, I get the feeling I'm looking at a senpai. Moreover, it's really amazing that he can also write a script and direct a play.

The kind of feeling where as an actor you can respect him as if he's the same age as you?

Akazawa: That's right. And to perform this production at Kinokuniya Hall... I don't think it's a place where you can stage just any production. Since I think people or productions that aren't recognized don't get to be carried out at that kind of place, it gives expectations of him as a person that he managed to realise his production there. I respect that kind of ability to take action, so I'm glad that I was called to be here as well.


Although you've co-starred before, this is the first time you're starring in a production directed by Ikeda-san, Izawa-san.

Izawa: For me it's the same as for Shougo-kun. I was honestly just glad at first when I was asked to participate. But until now I only knew the actor Ikeda Junya, the director side of him was still unknown to me. That's why it's so enjoyable this time around, since we can be involved in a different kind of way.

Since you're the cast personally chosen by Ikeda-san, you must be looking forward to how Ikeda-san will direct the production, right?

Izawa: Unique people have been gathered for this cast. With Shougo-kun and Tomoru-kun there's close friends of mine on the stage. When I think about making a production with members of the same generation, I get all excited. Whatever kind of director we might end up getting, I want to hurry up and practice already.

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Ikeda: From here on out I'll join in as well, please treat me well!

Suzuki: We three have been badmouthing you! (laughs)

Ikeda: What?!



No, no, these three were talking about their feelings of being chosen for this production! Which one did Ikeda-san do first, the script writing or the casting?

Ikeda: Writing the script came first. When I was writing the script, I wasn't thinking at all about what person would play what role or who would be part of the production, I just wrote what I wanted to write. Although I was of course already planning things in my mind as the scripwriter and the director of this production, and I did already think "I want just people I like to be part of this!"

Then, once you finished the script and tried to find a cast that fit with it, what were your reasons for choosing among others Suzuki-san, Akazawa-san and Izawa-san?

Ikeda: I thought about various people that I like, and when I was thinking about who I'd want to try, of course Shou-chan (Suzuki-san) came to mind first as someone I wanted in the play. Including the last production, En*Geki #01, there aren't any other actors I'm around as much, both publically and privately. (laughs) But like I have said many times before, I really am his fan.

Suzuki: Thanks. (laughs)

Ikeda: When I'm around him at work, he's a good co-star, and although we're rivals, he's also a good friend in my private life. I like Suzuki Shougo very much when it comes to being active on stage. Since I thought he is a shining actor, I absolutely wanted Shou-chan to be part of this.



When it comes to Suzuki-san, you seem to have absolute confidence in him as an actor.

Ikeda: But this time I for once am trying to forget that shining Suzuki Shougo. I thought, "Suzuki Shougo must have more different sides to him than that," and so I definitely want to find the sides of Suzuki Shougo that haven't been discovered yet. That's why I asked him to be part of the play this time.

Suzuki: (bashfully) Hooray! (laughs)

Even Ikeda-san, who has seen Suzuki-san do so many various things, wants to try and draw out the side of him we haven't seen before. That must be something to look forward to, both as SUzuki-san's fan and as the director, right?

Ikeda: That's right. Especially since he'll be trying to do something he's never done before! In the future I want the new side of him that was pulled out to be mentioned when people talk about Suzuki Shougo's charms.

Suzuki: How amazing! I'll become famous. (laughs)

Ikeda: After the last production, Shou-chan himself said that he wanted to do another En*Geki #01. If my production could be involved even just a little bit in bringing forth a chance in the actor Suzuki Shougo, then I couldn't be happier. This time I'm more aware of that and want to make sure to show it even more.

After the casting of Suzuki-san, who brings forth such passionate feelings in you, how did you come to want Akazawa-san, who you're co-starring with for the first time, to participate in the play as well?

Ikeda: When I saw Tomoru-kun act in person, he made my turn my head and realise, "ah, he could do it!" Back then I didn't even know how to contact Tomoru-kun, so I called people I know about it and called him to ask if he wanted to be part of my play.

Ikeda-san directly called Akazawa-san out of the blue?!

Ikeda: I did it directly. (laughs) I wanted to write roles that people I knew could do, but I wrote one without thinking of anyone who was particularly suited for it... But now I'm wondering if I didn't just write the role for Tomoru-kun.

Akazawa: Ahaha, really? I'm glad.

Ikeda: I think it's a role that Tomoru-kun's fans might never have seen before either.

Akazawa: It really isn't the kind of role you'd expect from me! That's for sure. I hope everyone can look forward to it.

And finally, Izawa-san?

Ikeda: I actually wasn't planning on casting Izawa at all. (laughs)

Izawa: No way! (laughs)

Ikeda: I'm kidding. (laughs) I thought Izawa is a very skilled actor, he fits whatever role he's given, and from the beginning on he already goes over passing marks. Although that's his charm, there's still things that I haven't seen from him yet, so I get greedy for those.

Izawa-san, who you co-starred with as an actor, made you think "I'd like to direct him as well"?

Ikeda: That's right. The role that I gave to Izawa this time was one I thought that only a very skilled actor could pull off when I was writing the script. It's a very balancing role that communicates with everyone in the cast, but at the same time there's also scenes where he's more connected with individuals, so I thought that Izawa could pull off such an overwhelming piece of acting.

You're entrusting a lot to Izawa-san's acting with this role.

Ikeda: It can be a bothersome role if you get so many expectations of that you're able to do it, but I thought it was time for me and Izawa to just go over that wall. I'm not saying this from my point of view as an actor, but rather as a fan I want to see a new side of him, a new Izawa. It's that sort of feeling.

Izawa: Since there's a vision that's being aimed for, I think I have to live up to the expectations.




Although directing everyone in the cast that you yourself chose is on one hand very exciting, it must also give a lot of responsibilities to Ikeda-san.

Ikeda: This time around the production is centered around a cast from the same generation. Since although we gathered everything from senpai to leading figures and the female cast, I feel like there's some things that only I as a 20 year old can do. There's a lot of directors in their 40s, so of course the way they do things will feel a little different, but I don't think it's very easy to feel close like a friend to them for people from our generation.

So your current youth is your weapon.

Ikeda: Usually during productions I feel like I can't talk about my role the way I'd talk about it to friends. But with us three, and Tomoru-kun included as a new addition, we're able to talk on the same intimate level. On the other hand, I thought senpai like Sakai-san, who I have always looked up to as a fan, might be able to tell us something as juniors. I want to make the kind of production that can only be made by someone my age.










From the performance last year that was staged in the small theater Akasaka RED/THEATER to the staging in Kinokuniya Hall this time around, the performance has increased in scale in a big way, along with the amount of cast members and the amount of performances. With Ikeda-san being able to make that all happen at 23 years old, the others, as actors of the same generation, must have at the very least have an "amazing!" sort of feeling.

Suzuki: It's to the point of "no way, what, that's impossible!"

Izawa: It's great!

Ikeda: It's the catch phrase of the performance. (laughs)
Suzuki: It's amazing since in the end it's all Junya's power, decisiveness and various timings that he took advantage of. Because of that, I absolutely respect him.

Akazawa: To put on a performance at a place where not just anyone can perform if they want to, I think that Ikeda-kun has been recognized to be able to perform at Kinokuniya Hall. But at the same time it's not like he can carry out the stage play on his own. I think Ikeda-kun's charm is that he can gather together people for this project and creates the sort of environment where they follow him.

Ikeda: No~, you're putting pressure on me. But I'm actually just really happy. I wrote a script, wanted to make a performance out of it, and then everyone joined in on it. Just that alone already makes me really happy, but the point of this performance is not that I'm just feeling that happiness and pressure, but rather that more than anything the audience enjoys itself. That is the final goal as well as the original intention, so that's what I want to achieve.


Theater is what you want to show the audience once the curtains open, isn't it.

Ikeda: I think it takes a lot of effort to watch a stage play. It already takes time to come to the theatre, and then it's dark and you have little space and you can't talk. You're trapped in that sort of space for about 2 hours and you have to pay quite a lot for it. Although I think there are people who like to watch difficult things, I think that for entertainment I'd rather have the audience clap, laugh and cry rather than have to think about things. I want the theatre to be a place that can draw out those emotions in a genuine way.

So Ikeda-san's style of entertainment is genuinely enjoying what you're watching rather than thinking about it.

Ikeda: To put it in extreme terms, I think it's fine if you enjoy yourself even for a moment while you're watching the play in the theatre and then can't even remember the content of the story once you take one step outside of the theatre. I think it's the best way to spend the time you bought with your money. For that sake it's no good if the things we do on top of the stage aren't sincere. Moreover, I think that entertainment is a work that can easily be understood by men and women of all ages that watch it, and that they can simply say it's amusing. It doesn't have to be the last work in your life that you want to take with you to the grave. I just want to aim at a production that can make you think "I'm enjoying myself!" just in that moment.

Although the super entertainment production "Star☆People!!" still has quite some mysteries about it, among the information that has been made public so far there are keywords that keep popping up, like "space" and "special abilities". So please tell me which kind of special ability you would like to have!

Izawa: A special ability... To be able to neutralize your smell, a deodorant ability?
Suzuki: I don't need anything like that! (laughs)
Izawa: Ah! I want to be able to charge anything as long as I plug it in here (nostrils), like an electrical outlet.
Ikeda: Would it have to be any nose in particular?
Suzuki: Wouldn't it be fine to do it with your arm?!
Izawa: No, there aren't any holes there. To be able to charge, you at least need a mouth. (laughs)



With that sort of ability, if someone's phone runs out of power...

Izawa: "Let me recharge it" and "It's fine, it's fine." (laughs) For example, when you're on the train there are times when you run out of power. Wouldn't it be good for those moments?

In any case, it seems like a useful ability to be able to put it in your nose.

Izawa: It has the same sort of feeling as the abilities from Star☆People!!
Suzuki: But it's convenient. All abilities that show up in Star☆People!! are just useless special abilities. (laughs)

Special abilities that are at the same time entirely useless is one of the noteworthy points about this production, huh. What other powers would you want?

Suzuki: There are plenty! I want to fly in the sky, I want a door that goes anywhere, I want to be able to make money.
Ikeda: You don't just want money, you want to make it? (laughs)
Suzuki: Alchemy would be great, like Fullmetal Alchemist. You make anything you can imagine from raw materials.
Akazawa: That's cool. Then I... I want to run on electricity.
Suzuki: Eh?! Why?
Akazawa: I want a rechargeable body that runs on electricity. Wouldn't it make things incredibly easy?
Suzuki: You don't need meals? And you don't sleep?
Akazawa: You charge while you sleep! You'll be healthy if you're charged, and you can take a mobile battery with you for your peace of mind. You can sleep and eat with electrity!



And if Izawa-san who became an electrical outlet is there, then you can charge yourself anytime.

Akazawa: Then I should maybe become friends with Izawa. (laughs)
Suzuki: That's for sure. Electrical outlet Izawa would appeal to you.
Izawa: Hey! You should do that even without electricity! (laughs)
Ikeda: I... want the ability to be liked by people. (laughs) The kind of ability where if I touch someone, they start liking me.
Izawa: It wouldn't even have to be love, it could just be leaving a good impression on people.
Suzuki: But if you have that ability, wouldn't you get really sad? After all, if I'd get touched by Junya, then even though I'd like him, it would only be because of Junya's ability.
Ikeda: Yeah. That's very sad, isn't it...
Suzuki: Hey! (laughs) If I had that sort of ability, I'd just feel more lonely. So let's give up on that one.
Ikeda: Then the ability to get rid of the feelings of dislike people have for me! I don't want to be disliked by people anyway. (laughs)
Suzuki: I heard negative words from Junya for the first time in a long while. (laughs) It's fine as long as we're there, anyway!












Since there's so many friends around, you don't need that kind of ability. (laughs) Well then, please leave a message at the end for everyone who's looking forward to a performance by Ikeda-san!

Ikeda: Since it's a super high tension comedy made by a miraculous group of members that can naturally make you laugh and cause just a bit of a fluffy feeling, and was made more than anything to give off the feeling of a simple approach to entertainment, I want to give the audience a fun time for sure! Along with the cast that can do that which has been assembled, I'm looking forward to it from the bottom of my heart. So please look forward to it as well, everyone! I'll be waiting in the theatre.




( link to the original: 1, 2, 3 )