Memories of Meeting... Keiko Toda Through the Eyes of Seven Individuals

—Your first encounter was during the original production of "The Hit Parade," wasn't it?

RAG FAIR, Takamasa KanoThat's right, so it was in 2007.

TodaI knew of RAG FAIR's existence, of course, but I didn't know them well, so it was the first time I realized there were six members. My apologies (laughs).

Reo TsuchiyaWe also learned that you were a single person at the time (laughs). You were so incredibly busy and active. I wondered how many clones you had (laughs).

TodaAlso, you all seemed much purer and simpler than your public image. In a good way, of course.

TsuchiyaWe're fortunate to have you choose those words. Many people would describe us differently (laughs).

TodaBut I truly felt that way. During the original production, not just RAG FAIR but everyone was swamped with tasks and working desperately, right? New songs, new acting, new props and costumes – that's how it is with a premiere, so no amount of time is ever enough. It was a rehearsal space filled with intense energy, and rather than socializing, it felt like we were all fighting together.

Later, Akira Miyakawa was the music director for a special program on NHK-BS called "Doremifa Wonderland," and that's where I reconnected with RAG FAIR. This time, instead of a cramped, tough environment, we were able to enjoy working together on a music program. It was there that I was able to reaffirm RAG FAIR's positive and earnest nature. Starting this April, that program is becoming a regular series. And now, before and after rehearsals, we're practicing songs together, harmonizing our English pronunciation, and have already begun rehearsing. We're really starting now, aren't we?

RAGWe're really looking forward to it!

—We'll hear more about the program later, but could you RAG FAIR members tell us a bit more about your memories of meeting Ms. Toda?

TodaToday is a no-holds-barred session. Everyone, please say what you want. I'll cut out anything inconvenient for me (laughs).

RAG(All burst into laughter)

TsuchiyaWhat I remember is seeing you always putting in the most effort. Your warm-ups, your basic training – you were so enthusiastic, and I thought, "Wow, she's a true professional." It made me realize I could probably condense my own practice time more effectively.

Yosuke HikichiWhen we worked together on set, it was the first time I learned your age, and I was impolitely surprised, thinking, "Wow, she's shaving years off her age upwards!" (laughs).

TodaNow, how about that (laughs)? Back in the day, idols would shave years off their age upwards to seem more mature.

KanoThat just goes to show how much energy you were overflowing with.

Kenichi AraiWe even had vocal rehearsals at our company, didn't we? I was sitting behind you, Ms. Toda, and I was amazed at what was in your bag. It was packed with scripts, throat lozenges, delicious water, and more. I was impressed by how you managed to carry all that in your slender frame.

Masayoshi OkumuraAnd initially, Ms. Toda, you were the one who reached out to us. You had just finished drinking with Naka Nakamura, and you asked, "You know Naka-san, right?" That was the starting point, and it helped ease my nervousness about being in my first musical, making it much easier to talk to you. I remember that clearly.

Yoshinori KatoMy first impression was, "She's smaller than she appears on TV." But her way of speaking and her singing voice were still powerful. I wondered where all that power came from within such a petite frame. As a professional, you set your standards incredibly high. You arrived at the theater early, warmed up more thoroughly than anyone else, and so on.

TodaWow, you're praising me so much (laughs). But it's just my nature, or rather, a habit. The theater company I belonged to, Rose Theater, was very strict, so thorough preparation was always a must. That's why, even before a performance, I feel uneasy about going on stage unless I've moved my body and voice enough to break a light sweat. It's just how I am.

What are the Benefits of Expressing Yourself as a Group?

—For you, Ms. Toda, performing with RAG FAIR, who have such a unique style, must have been stimulating, don't you think?

TodaI even wrote about this on my blog, but when they provide backing vocals, it just feels so good to sing. Like soaking in a hot spring? I think that's incredibly important for backing vocals. They make it pleasant to listen to and enjoyable to sing along with.

Also, observing your daily lives, it seems like everyone in a group tends to live rather quietly and simply.

TsuchiyaWe're particularly like that.

TodaIt's the same with PaniCrew, who have Go Ueki, an acquaintance of mine, but they're truly very low-key. However, the strength of a group lies in how, when everyone gathers, a unique group atmosphere and color naturally emerge. I found that enviable, and also the interesting aspect of a team.

HikichiWe're usually together in the dressing room or the hallway, so even Ms. Takako Kitamura would say, "You guys are incredibly funny!" If we had separate rooms, I don't think we'd talk much at all (laughs).

TsuchiyaIt's true, we talk because there are six of us.

AraiYou have to take full responsibility; no one is there to back you up.

KanoWith six of us, you think, "Well, the audience's attention is somewhat divided," and you perform. That's how we do it.

TodaNo, but on stage, when there are many co-stars, I feel like the audience's attention is a bit dispersed, which makes me feel more at ease. I've done solo performances, but during the dress rehearsal, with all the staff watching, I'd think, "Why is everyone looking only at me?!" I'd get tired and my stomach would hurt (laughs).

KanoWe call ourselves RAG FAIR when the six of us get together, and we're careful about that even in this stage play. It's not good if one person messes up a step and stands out, right? Even in dialogue, when six of us deliver lines consecutively, it's better if we all deliver them in a rush and it ends up being "great," rather than one person being overly emotional or another being too subdued, making it disjointed. If only one person is praised for "good acting," it doesn't resonate with us as RAG FAIR. Every scene, the moment we step offstage, we're having a post-mortem (laughs).

TsuchiyaWe praise each other immensely, but good things don't seem to last for us (laughs). For a line like "I am Sato, the vocalist," considering how many times we've rehearsed it, including in the dressing room!

KatoWe're finally starting to get a handle on it recently.

KanoThough it's already the final stretch. Will it bloom in Osaka? (laughs).

TsuchiyaBut during the musical, I feel like we're closer than usual. I guess there's a conscious effort to build team unity.

TodaIndeed, there are certainly unique ideas and actions that come from being in a group with comrades.



*The musical "The Hit Parade" successfully reached its final performance on April 5th in Osaka. Thank you to everyone who attended.

INFORMATION
New Program Information
Starts April 11 (Saturday)
"Shiawase no Kiiroi Koinu" (Chukyo TV) Every Saturday 16:25-17:25
Starts April 25 (Saturday)
"Doremifa Wonderland" (NHK BS2) Twice a month (last two Saturdays of the month) 20:00-21:00