Hideaki Takizawa is about to become a walking and talking history textbook as he plays famours warriors, leaders, and rebels in his upcoming stage show, it was revealed at a press conference in Tokyo on February 3, reports Sports Hochi, and Chunichi Sports.
It had been announced Takizawa would produce his upcoming stage show “滝沢歌舞伎 (Takizawa Kabuki)”, and play a series of historical Japanese figures including Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Nobunaga Oda, and Shiro Amakusa.
“I want younger people to get interested in history. I learnt the value of Japanese legends after working on a Taiga drama myself,” Takizawa said.
The show has been split into two parts with the first focussing on the 10 historical figures, followed by a second part where Takizawa reprises his show from last year, playing Taira no Masakado.
It has been reported the pop star will fill his show with large-scale special effects such as wire action, and is even planning on slipping in a historical woman character as one of the 10 heroes.
On top of his busy acting challenge, it will be the second time Takizawa has produced this show following his producer debut in 2010.
“(At last year’s show) I struggled because I hardly had any time for my own rehearsals. But it felt like a part of me was always on stage, even if I wasn’t in the scene. It also gave me the chance to see things from an audience’s point-of-view which helped me when I was trying to think of things that would make the fans happier,” he said.
It has also been reported the second part to the show will be different from last year.
“I got a lot of requests from fans saying they wanted to see a more evil me so I’m going to try and be as evil and scary as I can,” Takizawa said.
Of course, bloody scenes will not continue throughout the entire season becayse the star had revealed plans for the show’s second part to be replaced with a children’s show during the May public holiday season. It has been reported Takizawa had said he wanted to reprise his children’s hero role, TAKI-ranger, at this year’s show as well.
“Takizawa Kabuki” will be performed at Tokyo’s Nissay Theatre from April 8 to May 8.
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As previously reported, Hideaki Takizawa (滝沢秀明) of Tackey & Tsubasa has started the stage production "Takizawa Kabuki / 滝沢歌舞伎", which is directed by himself for the very first time, at the Nissei Theatre (日生劇場) since April 4.
However, on the first day, right before the performance, he was accidentally get cut on his right eyebrow and forehead with a 12mm-long laceration in the fighting scene during dress rehearsal. "It is bleeding. I got too intense and didn't notice that." said Takizawa who nonetheless stayed on the stage until the end of the rehearsal and then went to the hospital. However, later he appeared on the press conference with a band-aid, said with a smile: "It's not hurt anymore and I am totally OK now." and he played the intense actions in the production as scheduled by saying: "As the director, it's not an option to change the performance content because of injuries. I want to show the thing I made myself thoroughly."
In this work, because the traditional art of Kabuki is applied as the topic, "It is assumed that this stage production can offer an image of Kabuki which adapts to overseas audience, for example, USA audience. I have thought about the overseas performance in advance. And I want to show the great side of Japan to the entire world!" Takizawa revealed his ambition as a director.
The performance is composed with two sections. In the first section, there will be a scene with 40 people playing Japanese drums, as well as wire flying and fighting scene with doors and ladders. In the second section, he will become the Taira no Masakado (平将門), a samurai of Heian era, and perform in fight scenes and 4D flying scene which is used in Japan for the first time.
Takizawa just celebrated his 200th performances since the "Takizawa Enbujo / 滝沢演舞城". As the Zachou (chairman) and the director, he commented: "It's not only me who have finished 200 performances, but also the fans that have supported me. I want to celebrate with all of you." The finale of "Takizawa Kabuki" will be performed on May 8, and it is the 250th performances of Takizawa. "One little mistake will be a serious accident, so let's do our best till the end!" cheered Takizawa.
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