Lounge
April 14, 2015
Keiko Toda | A little late, but… Happy New Year!
Keiko Toda | A Little Late, But...
Happy New Year!
As we welcome the new year, how is everyone doing? Last year, above all else,the Great East Japan Earthquakeoccurred, making it a sad year. Of course, the sorrow has not yet faded, but at the beginning of the year, I believe everyone felt a strong desire to move forward, even if only little by little. While I will continue to empathize with the sadness, I want to fulfill my own responsibilities. This year, I will be busy with stage performances, dramas, live shows, and volunteer work. I look forward to your continued support.
Text by TODA Keiko
TV Dramas, Stage Plays... A Hellish Schedule, Just as Expected (Tears)
Last year, starting in the fall, the CX drama series "HUNTER" began, and I enjoyed new encounters while battling the difficult Kanazawa dialect. The team with Ryoko Yonekura, Keiko Horiuchi, and Mirei Kiritani was harmonious from the very first day of shooting. However, the number of scenes we had to shoot in the studio set in a single day was immense... Looking back, the strongest impression is perhaps that we spent most of our time rehearsing lines together (laughs).
Midway through the filming of "HUNTER," rehearsals for the stage play "8 Women" began. Although I was prepared, I fell ill partway through, and it turned out to be a hellish schedule, just as I expected (tears).
During that time, for "BG Brand," we received a request from Medicom Toy, with whom we had previously worked, for "BE@RBRICK WORLD WIDE TOUR 2," and decided to participate. Brother GO and I applied the final stickers to the 400% Bearbrick. It was the only one in the world.—It was a moment of tension... The Bearbrick was exhibited at "PARCO" in Shibuya from December 3rd to 12th. Our Bearbrick, displayed alongside many famous brands, looked incredibly proud and cool.
A Dazzling Spectacle! A Beautiful Ensemble of 8 Actresses
"8 Women" is a stage play by Robert Thomas, a Frenchman, published in 1961. The film starring Catherine Deneuve is famous, but the movie was made much later, wasn't it? Although I wasn't in it, I remember it being a staple for student performances when I was in a theater company. It's a perfect piece for a large female cast, isn't it? They used to make many different groups (laughs).
My role this time is Augustine, a rather troublesome woman (laughs). She's a sad woman who constantly complains about her own low self-esteem. But you can't help but like her. I decided to portray this troublesome, difficult character with a certain coyness, even with her chronic heart condition! I hoped that Augustine, one-eighth of "8 Women," would make the audience laugh, feel relieved, or perhaps sympathize at times. To my surprise, Augustine, with her glasses and handkerchiefs, was surprisingly well-received by everyone once the curtain rose, becoming quite popular! I even heard some people call her cute, which made me incredibly happy.
Atsuko Asano, Keiko Ogino, Mariko Kaga, Mao Daichi, Maiko, Riho Makise, Nao Minamisawa. The casting, with actresses of diverse backgrounds and upbringings, was hailed as a dazzling spectacle from the start (though perhaps not including myself). From our first meeting to rehearsals, and even on "Bistro SMAP," where the entire cast appeared, it was always truly glamorous! I felt like an audience member watching it all unfold.
Once we were on stage, wearing our costumes and bathed in the lights, everyone looked so beautiful! It certainly had a different atmosphere than our usual plays. "HUNTER" and "8 Women" – I've been working on projects with all-female casts consecutively. There's so much to learn from senior actresses and to be inspired by junior actresses – it's very enjoyable. And for some reason, it feels comfortable and easy. Perhaps I'm starting to think that having men around is too much trouble? I might be in trouble (laughs).