Interview ABE Akira Arashi| Stage "Rabbit Hall"

――This is Mr. Abe who appeared for the first time in PARCO THEATER. Please tell us your impressions when you decided to perform.

I was very happy and honestly surprised. About 7 years ago? Two plays of Katori (Shingo) and Kusanagi (Go)-kun, directed by Yuki Mitani (2015, "burst! I've been to PARCO THEATER for a visit. It’s so funny, and you both can do this great! I thought I was a teenager. I can’t wait to show myself in the theater. I'm really happy to know that it's not a place to stand like that.

――What are the reactions of 7ORDER?

Probably, I think it was over, but there was a balance with the live schedule, so when the members were together, I told everyone from my mouth. Then everyone was pleased, "It's amazing," and said, "I'll do my best," and "I'll definitely go to see." I really wanted to thank you.

――The film is directed by American playwright David Lindsay Aber's masterpiece "Rabbit Hall". When you first heard the title, what image did you come up with?

It started with simply “What does Rabbit Hall mean?” and “Rabbit is a rabbit” or “What does a rabbit hole mean?” After that, when I read the script and found out what the word meant in the story, I was a little shocked or surprised. Probably, I think people who come to see the same feeling as me can feel.

――It has been made into a movie, but have you seen Mr. Abe?

Yes. I hope it will be helpful. But Mr. Fujita, the director, also said, "You can think of it as something else," so I'm not very conscious. There is a difference between the movie and the script of the stage, and since we are going to make the stage with Mr. Fujita's direction in Japan, I think it will be different from nature.

――What kind of impression do you have of director Mr. Fujita?

In fact, before everyone started training, Mr. Fujita made several times and gave individual lectures on the background of the work and how to read the script. I am so glad and thankful. I learned a lot. I also intended to think for myself what purpose my role was saying this line, but Mr. Fujita was thinking much deeper and wanted to be like Mr. Fujita. I would like to absorb Mr. Fujita's attitude toward the play and the ability to read the script during my practice, and to learn more about this work to a deeper level.

――What is your impression of the co-stars, including Emma Miyazawa, the role of Bekka?

I thought it was a crisp air, so I went to the training hall with preparation, but everyone was in a very soft atmosphere and I was able to talk happily from the first day of the training. So, my current feeling is that you can enjoy it in a blessed environment. Mr. Narukawa is the only male cast other than Yamazaki (Hikari)-kun of the double cast, but I thought that something seems to be fine (laughs). In other words, even if I and Yamazaki-kun are included, there are only 6 casts, and everyone is interested, so I would like to have an individual interview for about 30 minutes one by one! (laughs)

――What do you think of Jason, a high school student you play at the moment?

It's a complicated situation that couldn't be avoided by a child who ran out after chasing a dog. In terms of age, I think you are at the border between boys and adults, but I think the point is that you are pure and innocent like a boy and have a slightly different feeling from people. When I was reading the script myself, I felt that I was a malicious person, but when I was talking to Mr. Fujita, he said, "Jason has a place where he can't read the air as his original character." That's right. It's difficult, but I want to challenge while exploring without acting like a child.

――How do you feel about the charm of the work itself?

Of course, there are some serious places, but I like the fact that there is quite a lot of laughter in my family's daily life, and I feel that it is interesting and interesting. When I read the script together, I was laughing normally. On the other hand, there are many scenes where things go on in a situation where peane and thread are stretched so that if something happens only in a very delicate work, I think that everything will collapse. I want to take care of it and play it delicately.

――During the performance of the stage, there is also a live tour of 7ОRDER, and it is likely to be a very active spring, but is the change of head earlier?

When one work starts, it is a type that enters, so I want to be able to switch as soon as possible. But now, when I enter the training hall and feel the atmosphere, my head is naturally switched, so I'm sure it's okay. Well, I forgot all about another job (laughs).

――How do you manage your physical condition while you are busy?

You've been to Jim quite a lot. Because it's only time for one person, you can think a lot of things, and it also relieves stress. Also, at a herb specialty store, I take tea that was blended in full order according to my body to the rehearsal hall with a water bottle every day and drink it. At home, I drink a little bit of other herbs pickled in sake every day, but it's quite fun to make them, and in fact, it's good in physical condition.

――It's great to be careful about your health.

You care about what you put in your mouth. That's why I'm worried about the ingredients and calories of food, and then I try to eat brown rice. So, if you manage your physical condition on a regular basis, I think it's okay to eat your favorite tonkatsu when you want to eat it (laughs).

――I see (laughs). Like the couple depicted in Rabbit Hall, each person is faced with sadness and painful events. What kind of type is Mr. Abe?

After all, because I'm a human, I can be depressed, but basically I have a positive personality and I'm confident in myself, so I don't fall to the negative one. However, when I fall, I think I will fall completely. If you fall down, you will just go up. The important thing is not to deny depressedness, or to accept your painful condition without denying it. If you reject it, I feel that fun will not be accepted. In the past, there was a moment when I thought that if I shut out my painful feelings, I wouldn't be able to feel fun. So now, I am glad to accept it as it is, as much as possible.

――Mr. Abe, who can say Sarari, "I'm confident in myself," is cool. When did you become confident in yourself?

After all, 20 years old……No, maybe about 23 years old. In my late teens, I had a lot of experiences myself, and my feelings were blurred. I think it's because of that time.

――“Rabbit Hall” is a family story. Please tell me the episode where Mr. Abe felt the love of his parents.

I was in Osaka for about 5 to 6 days, and while I was away, my mother and aunt came to my house to stay. You'll get in touch at any time. Photos such as "I eat rice" or "I've cleaned up the room" were sent (laughs). At that time, you will feel love.

――“Go into people’s house and don’t clean it!” What's wrong, isn't it?

There was such a time. When I was 18 years old when I lived alone for the first time, it felt like "Don't come." But now I don't have that feeling at all. I got a message from my mother saying, "I made miso soup and rice" (laughs). I said, "I probably can't eat at home, so I don't need it," but "No, I've made too much, so I'll leave it." It's convenient for you! Are they leftovers? I thought, but I was laughing (laughs). Thank you very much, really.

――It's a wonderful parent-child relationship. Please tell me what Mr. Abe wants to try in the future.

There's a lot. For example, my name Akirashi can be used as it is overseas, so I would like to work abroad as well. I've been taking English lessons all the time. Of course, I would like to do a lot of work in Japan. I want to do anything so that I can't say any of them. In addition, I would like to take on the challenge of overseas auditions.

――Finally, again, please give me your enthusiasm for the stage "Rabbit Hall" and a message to readers.

If you do not usually have the opportunity to watch the stage, you may think that the threshold is high, but I would be glad if you could come and feel various things. To be honest, if you say "It's a fun work", it's a lie and it may not be flashy. But I'm sure there are characters who can transfer emotions, so I think you can also look back at yourself. I also want to find the meaning of doing this right now during the training, and put my thoughts in the work. I'm really happy if the daily life of the person who saw this work changes a little or triggers the start of something.

――It is the real pleasure of the stage to be able to give your thoughts directly to the audience.

That's right. On the other hand, we also have a lot of things that we get from our customers. The theater is a place where you can give and get it. It is very easy to see, so please come to PARCO THEATER with red chairs and carpets.

PARCO THEATER Original Goods [Theatre Notes (signed)] Present

During the period from March 28 (Tuesday) to April 4 (Tuesday), 2023, a gift campaign will be held at Shibuya PARCO Official SNS.
Please apply for the gift by the following method.

<How to apply>
①Follow Instagram official account “@parco_shibuya_official”
②Please comment "Like" when applying from Instagram on the target post of PARCO THEATER Original Goods of the Official SNS uploaded on March 28 (Tuesday).

A total of 3 people will be presented by lottery from among those who participated. We will contact you by DM, so please follow Shibuya PARCO official Instagram.

Announcement of Winning
After strict selection, only the winners will be contacted via Instagram direct message around mid-April 2023, and the prizes will be sent to the winners. In addition, prizes are scheduled to be shipped in late April 2023. Please note that it may vary slightly depending on the circumstances.

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