SHOW MUST GO ON！

—Congratulations.

Keiko TodaHappy New Year, everyone. Thank you for your support in 2007.

—Thank you for your hard work on the “Otojiro” production at Theatre Creation. Two months must have been tough.

It was my first experience with a two-month run in the same theater, especially in commercial theater, so I was indeed exhausted (laughs).

—We heard you caught a cold in late December and performed with an IV drip?

There are no moments to let your guard down on stage, but I was working on other jobs on both my days off and performance days. Perhaps I was just tired. Colds were going around, too. When someone gets sick, it seems to spread in rotation. It was the same during the autumn live tour; I’ve never been able to get through a tour in perfect health, which is troubling. I still haven’t become a true professional.

—But we couldn’t tell at all from the audience.

The staff members provided excellent support. They prepared ice packs backstage and cooled them for me when I entered the wings. The costume staff warmed my kimono in a dryer before I put it on. While waiting backstage, the cast members also encouraged each other. Thanks to them, I was able to complete the performances. As one of Koki Mitani’s lines in the play said, it truly was “SHOW MUST GO ON!”

The Script for “Otojiro,” Written in the Streets of Hibiya

—Koki Mitani’s original script was, as expected, very interesting. How was it for you to play the role of Tae Sukegawa?

This production featured many actors, and Mitani-san’s affection for each character was equally warm and unbiased. Even during rehearsals, we were all excited to see how the story would unfold from the beginning. While the cast members delivered their lines at a rapid pace, my character, Tae, was in a position to direct the overall flow, so I had to be more focused than ever.

—Tae was a central figure in advancing the story.

Tae is always composed. I imagine she’s the ideal sister, mother, and lover for both men and for Mitani-san? I seem to get roles like this often (laughs). Though I don’t think I’m like that at all myself.

—Were you conscious of it being a “commercial play” this time?

As performers, we weren’t particularly conscious of it, but I believe Mitani-san was. He had his own audience, as well as the long-time patrons of Hibiya who favored the former Art Theatre. On top of that, there was the style of popular theater in Hibiya that Mr. Kazuo Kikuta had continued for so long, and then Mitani-san was chosen to open this new theater. I suspect he deliberately chose a subject that would pay homage to Otojiro Kawakami, an actor of great renown, and Sadayukko, considered the first actress. Therefore, I felt he was very conscious of the Hibiya district for this production.

—I see. The leads were Yusuke Santamaria and Takako Tokiwa. They performed very directly, and you and Masachika Ichimura supported them well. It felt like you and the supporting actors had a deep trust from Mitani-san.

Everyone was very busy, but the feeling of coming together for a Mitani work was indeed strong.

After Concluding My “Keiko-chan Year”...

—So, looking back on 2007.

In 2007, we worked hard under the banner of “Keiko-chan Year” within my agency. I had decided to do many stage productions, so there were four major ones: “If I Cross the Bridge, I Will Cry,” “The Hit Parade,” interspersed with the live performances of “Actress,” and “The Fearless Otojiro Kawakami Troupe.” In addition, I appeared in two films: Mitani-san’s “The Magic Hour” and my first collaboration with Director Yoji Yamada, “Kabei: Our Mother,” and “Hana Kage,” scheduled for release in March. I also had a regular role in a TV drama, a one-off drama, and appeared on many variety shows to promote my CD. However, I didn’t do any serialized dramas, which is unusual for me lately.

In 2007, I worked on a wider range of projects than in a typical year. Kazuki Kosakai once said about me, “It’s great how you can take on so many jobs, always tuck them neatly into your furoshiki, and wrap them up without anything spilling out.” He suggested that my willingness to be active probably allows me to do various things. I was very pleased with that compliment.



“A Gift from Keiko Toda!”Applications for this closed on Tuesday, February 5th. Winners will be notified by prize dispatch. Thank you for your many entries. (OPENERS Editorial Department)

Long-sleeved T-shirts from Keiko Toda’s original brand are now available!
Featuring an original design with “SHOW MUST GO ON” printed on the front, available in three colors.
Please purchase yours today.