In this article, we interviewed Nakata-san and Hamano-san, who had just finished rehearsals! We delved deeper into this unusual musical reading drama, and asked them about their impressions of each other and their feelings about the performance.
–Please tell us how you felt when you heard about this project.
Hamano Daiki (hereinafter, Hamano): This time, it is a musical reading play based on the wonderful music of Nakata Yuji. Although I understood the concept, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like when I received the script. However, when I practiced with Nakata, I was surprised that it would become something so extravagant. Moreover, it should continue to evolve with the practice until the performance, so I can’t help but look forward to it.
–Rehearsals have already started, haven’t they?
Nakata Yuji (hereinafter, Nakata): Today was the first time, and we read through the song and practiced the song following the flow of the script.
Hamano: I was able to listen to the live singing next to me, and I was so moved that I thought, “Maybe I don’t need to say anything more after this?” (laughs).
Nakata: No, no (laughs).
–Could you tell us how you came to be involved in this project?
Nakata: I was able to participate through a strange connection. I had been working with a friend of the staff of this project, and they introduced me through that connection. I heard that through that conversation, they started talking about how “a collaboration between a popular voice actor and Nakata Yuji would be interesting.” I myself had no idea what the content would be until today’s rehearsal, but when we actually got together, I felt that it was unique and different from both musicals and general reading plays. I thought it might be closer to the feeling of a live performance.
Hamano: Yes. Nakata’s unique intonation really brings out the flavor of the song.
–Many of Nakata’s songs are used in the play, but were you involved in selecting the songs?
Nakata: I left that completely up to them. They created it based on the image that came to mind from my songs.
–I heard this was the first time the two of you met during this job.
Nakata: That’s right. When I met him, I was surprised at how good looking he was.
Hamano: No no (laughs). It was my first time meeting Nakata-san, but I knew him one-sidedly as a fan. I even told my family, “I’m going to do a reading play with the famous Yuji Nakata-san.”
Nakata: Thank you!
–Mr. Hamano, I heard you also went to Nakata’s live concert in June.
Hamano: That’s right. I was invited to the Tokyo performance with the producer and Nanoko-san (who plays the girlfriend). It was really cool. The excitement was so overwhelming that it made me want to sigh and dance, and I once again realized that this is what it means to move people with music. I don’t have a strong musical sense, but even so, it was a great concert that really got through to me. Actually, I was in a band when I was in college.
Nakata: Wow!
Hamano: That’s right. That being said, I couldn’t play any instruments, so I specialized in vocals (laughs).
Nakata: With such a good face and voice, he would be suitable to be a vocalist.
Hamano: I’m honored! When I was in that band, one of the members was a huge fan of Nakata, and through that influence, I started listening to his songs. And now I’ve had the opportunity to work with Nakata. In this job, I have some truly mysterious connections, and I feel that this is one of them.
Nakata: I’m really grateful. For me, this is an opportunity to work with experts in different fields. I think there’s something to learn from acting, too. In fact, when I saw the lines being delivered live today, I was just impressed by how they controlled the lines.
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