Toda Shares Her "Rules for Revival" with RAG FAIR

Yosuke HikichiThe Hit Parade is about to embark on its Osaka performances, but with different venues and new audiences each day, do you ever adjust your acting, for example, by saying, 'Today the audience is reacting this way, so I'll slightly change the pace of my performance'?

TodaNo, we don't do that.

HikichiIn music, we might think, 'The energy is really high today, so let's speed up the tempo for this song,' but...

TodaIs that so? Some directors might give such instructions, but during my theater troupe days, we sometimes had to perform in different theaters every day, arriving on the day of the performance. When the theater size changed, from 1,200 seats one day to 300 the next, the play would naturally falter. The effort required to tighten it up was immense.

HikichiThe audience reactions must be completely different.

TodaExactly. Since it was hard to know what to base it on, the director or stage manager would offer advice, but the fundamentals of acting remain the same. Except for changes made to accommodate the theater's structure. In my long acting career, I haven't made significant changes based on the theater (laughs).

HikichiBut with 'Hippare,' not only the location but also the audience demographics, from older people to younger ones, can vary greatly day by day, and their reactions, like laughter, can differ.

TodaYes. But I think it's better not to get too caught up in those reactions. Of course, it's most rewarding when people laugh out loud, but some people are uncomfortable with loud laughter, aren't they? That's why it's important to have strong self-belief. Like Shin-san in the play, you have to think, 'We've all practiced this much, we'll be fine!' Otherwise, you can't keep going!

Kenichi AraiEven you, Toda-san, can't keep going sometimes?

TodaOf course! No matter the reaction, whether you stumble over your lines on the first day, you just have to keep moving forward during those three hours of performance. If you dwell on small mistakes, you'll only get worse. Differences in daily reactions are natural, and we don't perform solely to get laughs. You just have to believe in the process of accumulation.

From Toda-san's perspective, how do you see RAG FAIR's 'accumulation' in their revivals?

TodaI think we're becoming able to see more things. The meaning of each song, the situations, and the advice director Yamada gave us for the revival, right?

Whether it's conveyed to the audience is a subtle matter for the theme of a revival. Ultimately, it comes down to individual approach. But after a year and a half, I believe everyone has grown personally. If individuals grow, the work should also grow. And naturally, there's the enjoyment.

The New Program 'Doremifa Wonderland' is Packed with Highlights!

So, could we please talk about the new program 'Doremifa Wonderland' starting this spring?

TodaIt starts on April 25th (Saturday) from 8 PM to 9 PM. It's a music variety show on NHK BS2, airing on the latter two Saturdays of each month, supervised by Akira Miyakawa.

Masayoshi OkumuraI believe having the opportunity to revive 'The Hit Parade' has been a great plus for us as we move forward with the new program. If the program had started immediately after the premiere, we would have still been in the 'nice to meet you' stage relationship-wise, but during the rehearsals for the revival, I feel we clearly took two or three steps closer to Toda-san. Lately, the leader gets teased so much, it shows how close we are (laughs).

HikichiWait, are we close? It feels like I get teased whenever I notice something...

TodaI don't know why, but it's true, when I notice, I just can't help myself... Hikichi-kun seems to be in a position where he's easy to tease (laughs).

HikichiLately, it's not just Toda-san, but also Seto Katorīnu-chan and the other cast members tease me a lot! They even play pranks during the performance, and I'm like, 'Why me so much!!'

(All members burst into laughter)

OkumuraToda-san, do you have any siblings?

TodaWhy do you ask?

OkumuraWell, I was wondering if having siblings or not influences relationships.

TodaI'm an only child.

But around you, Toda-san, there are many people who seem like 'younger brothers,' aren't there?

HikichiThat's true, maybe I always wanted an older sister...

TsuchiyaLet's talk about the program. Well, it consists of songs, skits, and talk.

TodaThinking about it again, singing is truly enjoyable. While lyrics can be more complex than dialogue, the harmony of music and mathematical rhythm, and how they fit together, offers more clues than finding the 'correct' way to say a line. It's easier to see the light. When it clicks perfectly, you feel that 'Yes!' moment. Music has joy even amidst hardship. They really say 'enjoying sound.'

TsuchiyaToda-san, your passion for words is incredible. Whether speaking or singing, your words are beautiful. Your dedication to exploring how to shape your mouth to sing and convey those words is very inspiring.

HikichiIn acting, we sing according to the character and setting, but I'm looking forward to hearing Toda-san's natural singing voice on the program.

TodaYes, songs on stage are always tied to the character's setting and situation. That's why during live performances, I sing with enjoyment as the top priority.

TsuchiyaYou know, Toda-san looked incredibly beautiful. When I saw you on the monitor after filming, I was genuinely surprised, 'She's this beautiful?!' I was even a little jealous.

(All other members retort, 'What are you jealous of?!')

TsuchiyaI was envious, thinking, 'Damn, she's shining so brightly.'

TodaThen let's all shine brightly together (laughs).

HikichiWe're all doing skits together too, so this is a dream-like setting. We haven't recorded yet, but there's a skit where Kato-kun and Toda-san just endlessly insult each other.

TsuchiyaLike, 'What's with this woman?!'

Acting skills will be required, won't they?

KatoYes, we'll have to learn a bit about that...

TsuchiyaNo, no, Toda-san will insult you so much you won't even have time to learn (laughs). It's an ugly fight.

OkumuraBut Kato also transforms when he wears a wig.

KatoThat's true, but before that happens... (laughs).

TodaI'd like to report on the set again with you all sometime. And I hope you'll come to my live shows too.

RAG FAIRAbsolutely!

INFORMATION
New Program Information
Starts April 11 (Saturday)
'Shiawase no Kiiroi Koinu' (Chukyo TV) Every Saturday 4:25 PM - 5:25 PM
Starts April 25 (Saturday)

'Doremifa Wonderland' (NHK-BS2) Twice a month (last two Saturdays of the month) 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM