Special Interview – Iori Fujimura

[kozvme]

Fujimura Iori talks.
About stage plays, about friends and thoughts for the fans...

ー How did you get into stage plays? 

Thanks to a Yumeiro Company performance I saw.

If Kabuki's charm lies in its beautiful, systematic form... I feel that the charm of musicals lies in the fact that all kinds of fun things blend into one whole. Furthermore, the play I saw that time had the power to warm the spectators' hearts. I could not ignore the warmth, and, when I noticed, I was setting foot into the world of musicals. I was originally a Kabuki actor, so me switching to a new field also caused some troubles...

I can say with confidence that my judgment at that time was correct.

ー What is the role that has left an impression on you the most among Yumeiro Company's plays? 

... Minamoto no Yoshitsune from "Like a Spring Night Dream". 
Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (Yoshitsune and One Thousand Cherry Trees), which became the motif, was a program I'm familiar with from when I was a Kabuki actor. That's why I was surprised to hear I'd portray Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The one I know from Kabuki and the Yoshitsune I was to represent... honestly, it seemed like it was far from me. However, "Like a Spring Night Dream", while using the existing work as its motif, greedily seeked new expressions. I was given a kick in the back by such a company and I think I was able to play a Yoshitsune that only I can portray, different from the existing one.
Finding charm in a traditional work... It's an impressive role that triggered the reaffirmation of the potential of musicals.

ー What is your favorite object at home? 

My fishing rod​, I guess? Yes, because fishing is my hobby.
Lately I've been so busy that I haven't even got a chance to go fishing, so I've been neglecting taking care of it. Polishing it, hanging a display on the wall and arranging it in order to show the good side of the rod... The room will be free from obstructive thoughts​. Besides, just having a beautiful and sleek tool where it should be makes you feel at ease.
... Not until I use it, though. In the near future, I hope to find time to go to the sea or the river.
(Subaru-san fervently put his hand up saying "I'll go too!")
... No, I am not taking you. You're too noisy, the fish will run away.

ー Tell us an unexpected side of another cast member that you know since you are friends!

... Sometimes Kyouya becomes excessively stubborn about frivolous things. 
In our company, as an after-party following the performance we prepare and eat omurice, but this one time we were one egg short. That being the case, Kyouya said "Having two eggs per delicious omurice is a must!"... to which I replied "If you mix them, that they're one and a half or two doesn't change anything", but Kyouya brooked no reason.
I managed to hold still Kyouya who was on the verge of going to buy them as Subaru made a run for the nearby konbini since he was confident in his legs. Being very particular about food might affect his performance.

 

ー Do you have a message for your cheering fans?

... I'm grateful for your warm cheering.

 Yumeiro Company is a theatrical company​ that never stops challenging new things. For me, formerly in the Kabuki field which cherishes tradition, ever since I joined this company there have been a series of surprises and unexpected events every day... But right now, with the members of this company, I am quite certain that surprises and unexpected things can be transformed into power to make better things. 
We will continue to work hard to provide new and of high quality things. It would be great if you could watch over our... Yumeiro Company's future.

What I learnt on stage, my important roles, andー



ー What have you learnt and felt through the plays? 

When I jumped into the world of musicals, the first thing that surprised me was the actualization of the works. When I was still a newcomer, I was shocked to be suddenly called in a drafting meeting for a piece, but, above all, surprised by the heated debates. Without concern for rules or formality, and I mean that in a good way. Ideas for new pieces born from silly conversations, until they reach their realization.....

At first I said "the world of musicals", but, perhaps, that could be because of Yumeiro Company.

ー What are the important things you do when performing? 

Not forgetting the basics is what makes it a stable play. I take pride in being the one who has the most acting experience among the main cast, that's why I make it a habit to set my other foot on the ground as an indicator when another member is lost... Although, the other members' growth is remarkable, if they have a positive attitude about unusual performances they'll be quite capable of pulling it off.
Conventional and unconventional, I think I'd like to grasp a form of acting I'd be satisfied with myself.

ー What is the role that has left an impression on you among the ones you've had so far? 

Drocell, the protagonist of the Christmas season play "The SantaClaus of Ozwald" that mainly targeted elementary schoolers on winter break. I portray a young man who thinks he lacks courage and sets off on a journey to obtain it, but, in order to convey to the
children what courage is, I had to act simply cautious to make Drocell proceed on firmly as the situation progresses.

It's the same technique one can find in children's stories, but I had very little opportunities to get to know fairy tales when I was a kid, so it was refreshing.

ー Please tell us what you'd want to do, where you'd want to go if you had a long vacation. 

A long camp in the mountains, maybe? My hobby is also fishing, but I usually do not have many opportunities to observe the wildlife.

... What? With who...? Hmm... Subaru would profusely raise his hand making noises about it, but going with the company's members wouldn't be so bad either. I did go camping in the mountains with everyone once and deciding who is going to get food and who is cooking are fun memories I could have never experienced alone.

ー Is there anything you would like to say to your fans, Iori-san?

I want to be the kind of actor who can make those who came to the theatre say "I want to come to the next, too!". I always look through the letters I receive. I couldn’t be happier to receive them from people of a wide age range. If there are imperfections, please point them out to me. From now on, with the support from everyone, I'll improve myself to go even further.