We're only a few weeks away from Maaya's new stage show 'Daddy Long Legs' and to wet your appetites the production company has uploaded a duet from the musical to Youtube on their official channel here. The track is a duet with Yoshio Inoue called 'Graduation Day'.
It sounds like a lovely musical! Enjoy the song!
EDIT: speaking of which, today Oricon posted up an article which photos from the musical's press conference. Maaya looks pretty! Take a look here.
Showing posts with label stage show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stage show. Show all posts
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
NTT Docomo holds free performances of "The Eraser in my Mind"
Some of you may remember that Maaya performed in the recital performance of 'Watashi no Atama no Naka no Keshigomu" (The Eraser in my Mind). The story is about a married couple dealing with the wife's early onset dementia.
The phone company NTT Docomo is currently holding a special campaign draw for two special performances of the play to be held in Nagoya in March. Maaya will be performing on the second night, March 6th 2012.
This is a great opportunity for Maaya fans in Japan to see another side to Maaya's performances - for free! Good luck to those who are entering.
Click the link above for more information.
The phone company NTT Docomo is currently holding a special campaign draw for two special performances of the play to be held in Nagoya in March. Maaya will be performing on the second night, March 6th 2012.
This is a great opportunity for Maaya fans in Japan to see another side to Maaya's performances - for free! Good luck to those who are entering.
Click the link above for more information.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Full 'Buddy' PV and alternative covers for both singles
Victor Music uploaded the full version of Maaya's 'Buddy' PV today for your enjoyment - the song is still sounding great ahead of its release on Wednesday. Always a good sign! I hope that you've all put it in your shopping baskets.
Speaking of the singles coming up, Maaya's official site unveiled four alternative covers on Maaya's news site here. The covers are available if you buy both first press editions of 'Buddy' and 'Okaerinasai' in the form of two alternative shot jackets and two 'live' jackets. Pretty sweet!
I went to see Maaya on stage on Friday while I was on business in Tokyo in her Recita Calda production of the life of Joan of Arc. It was an outdoor stage in the it had a roof but no walls to the sides of the stands. The production was a one woman show in that Maaya performed the whole thing alone in a combination of recital and performance. It was like she was reading a book but then would get up to act it as well. She was accompanied by Spanish Connection, a trio of musicians who provided a French...well, I thought it was more Spanish like their name, but very European flavour with their back up music.
It was really interesting but at several points she came down off the stage and started walking around the audience rows!! She was literally five meters away from my seat! I found it hard to concentrate then, and I wish I had been able to go with someone else as I wanted to be like 'OH MY GOD' to someone but everyone else seemed to be quite stoic ^^;; she was beautiful, seriously (*_*) so, so, so pretty up close.
But what I really found impressed was the sheer versatility and power in her vocal performance. She must have played dozens and dozens of characters as well as narrating the whole thing. When she was playing a prosecutorfor Joan of Arc's trial her voice gave me goosebumps. No mercy. I was really impressed. I've always been more of a listener to her music than a follower of her seiyuu work but I'd love her to play an evil character someday. That would be awesome.
Two thumbs up!
Argh, she walked so close to me >_<
EDIT: Also, the second episode of 'from everywhere' is available for podcast now ^^ go take a listen here.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Full 'Buddy' PV, new interview and photos of 'J'eanne de Arc' Pamphlet
Bit of a random collection of news, but that's Wednesdays for you!
First up, Ara ma they didn't! has posted up a full version of Maaya's 'Buddy' PV here for your enjoyment. That was a nice surprise! It looks like someone ripped it from a Japanese television broadcast. Check it out! It would have been cool if it had somehow linked to the 'okaerinasai' music video at the end but it's still a pretty ok video. 'Himitsu' was the best Maaya PV so far I think - it had 99% amazing shots.Where as the yellow feathered thing she flaps in the chourus is...well, you can decide for yourselves.
Song is still awesome.
Secondly, there is a new interview up at Yorimo about the new string of releases (singles, album and photobook!) with some lovely photos - including a very Red Riding Hood-esque shot in front of a castle. Awesome!
Finally, I mentioned that next week Maaya will be on stage again in Tokyo in the Recita Calda production of 'Jeanne d'Arc' and there is a pamphlet available if one orders in advance. You can see a preview of inside the pamphlet here if you scroll down a bit. It looks pretty!
EDIT: Did a quick look over the interview and there is one quote that is really good when she's talking about how marriage hasn't slowed her down and she actually has more and more she wants to do:
Aww, it's nice he's supportive of her work!!
First up, Ara ma they didn't! has posted up a full version of Maaya's 'Buddy' PV here for your enjoyment. That was a nice surprise! It looks like someone ripped it from a Japanese television broadcast. Check it out! It would have been cool if it had somehow linked to the 'okaerinasai' music video at the end but it's still a pretty ok video. 'Himitsu' was the best Maaya PV so far I think - it had 99% amazing shots.Where as the yellow feathered thing she flaps in the chourus is...well, you can decide for yourselves.
Song is still awesome.
Secondly, there is a new interview up at Yorimo about the new string of releases (singles, album and photobook!) with some lovely photos - including a very Red Riding Hood-esque shot in front of a castle. Awesome!
Finally, I mentioned that next week Maaya will be on stage again in Tokyo in the Recita Calda production of 'Jeanne d'Arc' and there is a pamphlet available if one orders in advance. You can see a preview of inside the pamphlet here if you scroll down a bit. It looks pretty!
EDIT: Did a quick look over the interview and there is one quote that is really good when she's talking about how marriage hasn't slowed her down and she actually has more and more she wants to do:
Interviewer: Does your husband ever say: "It'd be nice to spend a bit more time just you and me."?
Maaya: "I married him because he doesn't say that *laugh*"
Aww, it's nice he's supportive of her work!!
Saturday, 21 May 2011
I.D Essay Book - I met 'Les Mis'... (part 6 of 6)
Read the previous part here. Or go back to the beginning.
I.D Essay Book - I met 'Les Mis'... (part 6 of 6)
And now the present.
When the editor of a certain magazine came to see me on stage he said the following: “Years ago, back when you were still in high school, I asked you who you would like to play in the future. You replied: Eponine from Les Miserables. I remember writing that article, and now to think your dream has really come true…”
As he said this he was moved to tears. I’d forgotten until he reminded me but yes, that article does exist. Eponine was so far away then and such a big deal, a dream of a dream, that saying something like that was ridiculous.
And now even though I’ve been playing this role, the ideal Eponine I want to portray is still a long way off. Has my dream come true? Or is it still far off? I’m not sure. I realised that the goal was not obtaining the role in itself, but the true challenge is from now on ‘how can I perform this role?’ It’s like I’m setting sail towards an island of dreams that may not even exist and I don’t know how to get there. If this continues I think that that the day my dream will truly come true might not ever come.
I’d actually decided that I would leave once the Tokyo run had finished. It had been difficult, and even I was worried about whether it was such a good idea to let an amateur continue to stand on stage.
But, when I realised, it was my third year as Eponine. Even now I’m still standing on the stage of Les Miserables.
Worry, desires, depression, tears…my days on this production always progress in leaps and bounds. I was surprised at how faint-hearted and weak I had been in the past and was disappointed in myself. But then I decided: no more, no more. When the curtain rises, it’s so fun and I’m so happy, almost equal to the pain I had felt. I learnt so much and felt so much that on the final day of the show’s run I thought, ‘let’s try staying a little longer.’
And now, little by little, this once class drop-out is beginning to enjoy being on stage.
I’ve graduated from being so nervous that I can’t talk to people before a performance, and from looking at the floor when I leave a stage door so I won’t see the faces of the audience. Raising my head and calmly taking a look around has opened my eyes to many important things.
The staff and cast members standing in the stage wings, unseen, mouthing along to the words. How you can feel the love people have for the show from how they fix their eyes on the stage. How before my turn, I take a deep breath and someone pushes me forward saying, “Off you go!” How the person in charge of the costumes and wigs makes me laugh when I’m down. The profile of each actor, all struggling in their own way, shining as they sing. How I can feel the quiet breathing of the audience when I’m alone on stage to perform ‘On my own’.
With each of these things, I think from the heart: this is happiness.
But I’ll never forget those feelings from my first year. All of it became my blood and bones, helping me to grow into who I am now. Because I found my weaknesses I was able to know strength. No matter what happens, when I think of those days I know I can carry on. Of course, my work is not yet done, but that’s why I think I can go on, believing that something lies ahead.
It’s been decided that the next run will be Osaka in winter 2005, then on to other places up until next spring.
As ever, I have no choice but to cross this sea in my rowing boat, tossing between joy and sorrow.
Fin.
I.D Essay Book - I met 'Les Mis'... (part 6 of 6)
And now the present.
When the editor of a certain magazine came to see me on stage he said the following: “Years ago, back when you were still in high school, I asked you who you would like to play in the future. You replied: Eponine from Les Miserables. I remember writing that article, and now to think your dream has really come true…”
As he said this he was moved to tears. I’d forgotten until he reminded me but yes, that article does exist. Eponine was so far away then and such a big deal, a dream of a dream, that saying something like that was ridiculous.
And now even though I’ve been playing this role, the ideal Eponine I want to portray is still a long way off. Has my dream come true? Or is it still far off? I’m not sure. I realised that the goal was not obtaining the role in itself, but the true challenge is from now on ‘how can I perform this role?’ It’s like I’m setting sail towards an island of dreams that may not even exist and I don’t know how to get there. If this continues I think that that the day my dream will truly come true might not ever come.
I’d actually decided that I would leave once the Tokyo run had finished. It had been difficult, and even I was worried about whether it was such a good idea to let an amateur continue to stand on stage.
But, when I realised, it was my third year as Eponine. Even now I’m still standing on the stage of Les Miserables.
Worry, desires, depression, tears…my days on this production always progress in leaps and bounds. I was surprised at how faint-hearted and weak I had been in the past and was disappointed in myself. But then I decided: no more, no more. When the curtain rises, it’s so fun and I’m so happy, almost equal to the pain I had felt. I learnt so much and felt so much that on the final day of the show’s run I thought, ‘let’s try staying a little longer.’
And now, little by little, this once class drop-out is beginning to enjoy being on stage.
I’ve graduated from being so nervous that I can’t talk to people before a performance, and from looking at the floor when I leave a stage door so I won’t see the faces of the audience. Raising my head and calmly taking a look around has opened my eyes to many important things.
The staff and cast members standing in the stage wings, unseen, mouthing along to the words. How you can feel the love people have for the show from how they fix their eyes on the stage. How before my turn, I take a deep breath and someone pushes me forward saying, “Off you go!” How the person in charge of the costumes and wigs makes me laugh when I’m down. The profile of each actor, all struggling in their own way, shining as they sing. How I can feel the quiet breathing of the audience when I’m alone on stage to perform ‘On my own’.
With each of these things, I think from the heart: this is happiness.
But I’ll never forget those feelings from my first year. All of it became my blood and bones, helping me to grow into who I am now. Because I found my weaknesses I was able to know strength. No matter what happens, when I think of those days I know I can carry on. Of course, my work is not yet done, but that’s why I think I can go on, believing that something lies ahead.
It’s been decided that the next run will be Osaka in winter 2005, then on to other places up until next spring.
As ever, I have no choice but to cross this sea in my rowing boat, tossing between joy and sorrow.
Fin.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Maaya currently on stage in ‘Watashi no atama no naka no keshi-gomu’
Based on the 2001 Japanese drama PURE SOUL, this stage show is about a woman suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s and her partner. The title Watashi no atama no naka no keshi-gomu translates to: The Eraser Inside My Head. Here's the PR for the show:
Maaya is sharing the stage with Tetsuya Bessho but there are several combinations of couples over the course of the production. Maaya stars twice, her first performance was on Monday and this will be followed by a performance on Sunday 8th May.
There have been a few interviews with Maaya and Tetsuya about the play, and there are several photos from the show’s official blog. On Twitter some fans who went to see it commented that they were in floods of tears (well if the drama is anything to go by!) Links below, the interviews have a couple of pictures too.
Interview: Tokyo Headline
Interview: Choice! Report
Official Blog: Pamphlet photoshoot
Official Blog: Goods on sale (including postcards of Maaya and Tetsuya)
Maaya also recorded an official comment on Youtube:
Official Site for the play with information on the cast, story etc.
Inside my head there is an eraser.
Gradually my memory lapses will become worse, and I won’t be able to look after myself.
And then I’ll also forget about you, my love…
Meeting each other, falling in love, getting married…
Tragedy strikes this couple’s happy life. A separation more painful than death…
I’ll become your memories.
If you forget I’ll tell you everything that has happened up until now over and over again. And when I do, we’ll fall in love anew.
He resolves to devote himself to supporting her as she is encroached upon by early onset Alzheimer’s.
Maaya is sharing the stage with Tetsuya Bessho but there are several combinations of couples over the course of the production. Maaya stars twice, her first performance was on Monday and this will be followed by a performance on Sunday 8th May.
There have been a few interviews with Maaya and Tetsuya about the play, and there are several photos from the show’s official blog. On Twitter some fans who went to see it commented that they were in floods of tears (well if the drama is anything to go by!) Links below, the interviews have a couple of pictures too.
Interview: Tokyo Headline
Interview: Choice! Report
Official Blog: Pamphlet photoshoot
Official Blog: Goods on sale (including postcards of Maaya and Tetsuya)
Maaya also recorded an official comment on Youtube:
Official Site for the play with information on the cast, story etc.
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