Blooming Interviews - Ueda Yuusuke (Germany)
Facing the series culmination in the live, what sort of things did you think about?
Because I had taken on all kinds of responsibilities, I thought I wanted to make the last show fitting of a last show and hurl that energy beautifully. So maybe I should say that because of that, I wanted to do it like a shoulder throw*.
At the rehearsal venue, there were places where I was desperately focused on what was in front of me, but I was able to receive a sensation that hadn’t been there before in the venue’s atmosphere or mood and so I was able to feel a sense of wanting to make it more active.
I really want to do that again.
*T/N: 背負い投げ (seoi nage) is a kind of judo move as demonstrated here
In rehearsals, I’m sure the chance for you to think about the productions and company up until now has increased, but if you have one, please tell us about an episode from within that which left an impression.
Because I had a conviction for this to become an absolutely wonderful thing, each and every rehearsal was really precious.
There were times where I could really see the reality of what everyone among us created.
One of these is the fact of everyone practicing our call and response, I suppose.
The staff also would raise their voices, and I thought that moments like this really do exist.
In addition, there was also the fact of being able to continue supporting our group.
Precisely because I had the awareness that it takes everyone to make this, I feel that I was able to be in a happy world like that.
On the day of the live, what was the scenery you saw from the stage?
Upon a big stage like that, we were all able to become one.
There wasn’t even a millimeter of calculation error of our feelings, and I felt that this is love and harmony.
It was a charming last surprise, and due to everyone being there, we were all amazed by it.
Thank you so very much.
In the live, numerous songs were presented, but what was your favorite song or a song that left the most impression?
In regards to “Christmas Arrives Anywhere,” I thought that it’s a song that has two separate sceneries.
I don’t know anything about the scenery of that song’s making.
Because of that, during the live, I was able to really, really listen and feel it freshly.
When Germany is sitting down in the middle and is being pulled up by the Axis, certainly over there, there were two people who jointly saw a different scenery.
Please tell us about a backstage episode that happened within the live (actual day/rehearsal period).
When I was on standby for “Marukaite Chikyuu,” everyone was noisily jabbering in the back but I somehow really liked that time.
The one who was in the background fidgeting the most Mr. Yoshitani, who took on the appearance of General MacArthur, is just a secret for us [the company].
In “The Allies’ All-Out Attack” when I am all beaten up, other people may not know this, but Germany’s group subtly changes every day.
Starting from the second production ‘The Great World’, you took over the role of Germany. What were those two years like?
It was a role in which I was able to feel just how a country’s history is really created by humans.
This country that is here now because it inherited a toughness to stand up even if it decays, it’s a feeling that I was able to see just how a people’s country exists.
That I was able to play Germany, I get the feeling that that was somehow linked to reality.
It was a period of two years in which I was properly able to recognize that aspect.
During the time you played Germany, what was happiest moment for you?
The fact that I was able to meet this existence known as ‘Germany’ and, on top of that, when everyone called out the name ‘Germany’ to me from the audience.
It was myself that was intimidated by it, but I was surprised by the voices from everyone to the point that I wondered if I had even been trained for it. Lol
Thanks to that, because it seemed like that voice reached all sorts of people, I feel glad that I played him.
Please tell us what ‘Hetamyu’ is to you.
It’s a production that expanded my own world for me.
That’s how it was on the aspect of expression and outside of that, because of the release of one’s own personality or everyone’s character differing too much, I was able to feel as if being small was a waste.
I suppose that is what some would consider an encounter that was able to change a life.
I am proud that I was able to be in this production.
Finally, please give a message to all of the fans.
Yusuke Ueda, role of Germany
Thank you for the happiness of
sharing all these memories,
sceneries, and love! Danke Shön.