• 2024.8.4
• Other

Taking on the challenge of musical theatre alongside the pros! A look at the special stage performance of "Anne of Green Gables" at Haneda Airport

Although there are many local drama and singing clubs, there are not many opportunities to perform on a big stage with professional singers and directors.

EXPRESSION, a general incorporated association based in Ota Ward, creates performances together with professional vocalists, conductors, directors, and musicians.

The stage where the latest production of "Anne of Green Gables" will be performed is the Haneda Airport Garden, which is directly connected to Haneda Airport!

We followed them closely from the rehearsal studio to the actual performance to find out what kind of stage awaits them!

What is the deep connection between the classic "Anne of Green Gables" and Ota Ward?

A talkative, slightly eccentric redhead girl has arrived! "Anne of Green Gables" is a well-known children's novel by Canadian author L.M. Montgomery, depicting Anne's days on the beautiful Canadian island of Prince Edward Island.

Did you know that Anne of Green Gables, beloved all over the world, actually has a deep connection to Ota Ward?

Hanako Muraoka, the first Japanese translator and children's author to translate "Anne of Green Gables," lived in Ota Ward after getting married and translated and published "Anne of Green Gables." In other words, the Japanese translation of "Anne of Green Gables" was born here in Ota Ward!

Many people may already know her because she was featured in the NHK morning drama series "Hanako and Anne" in 2014. Yuriko Yoshitaka, who played Hanako, was so cute and lovely!

So in 2019, EXPRESSION, a general incorporated association made up mainly of elementary school students and adults living in Ota Ward, produced and performed an original musical play, "Anne of Green Gables," to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan.

The year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Montgomery's birth, and a special stage will be held at Haneda Airport Garden, which is directly connected to Haneda Airport's Terminal 3.

EXPRESSION was started in 2012 by Ikumi Kuroda, a former newscaster and reporter for NHK, TV Asahi, and other networks, as the "Word Concert Executive Committee," which she and some friends started. It changed its name to "EXPRESSION" in 2015, and became a general incorporated association in 2017.

The aim of the organization is to develop children's communication skills by improving their expressiveness and ability to express themselves, and it also holds workshops, musical theatre and other concerts, and engages in charity activities.

Sneak into EXPRESSION's rehearsal studio!

This time, we were given a special opportunity to visit EXPRESSION's rehearsal studio, which is held on Sundays at a junior high school in Ota Ward. (Normal lessons are held twice a month, but for the special stage performance of "Anne of Green Gables", rehearsals were held almost every week.)

When I entered the classroom, I saw that they were in the middle of a singing lesson! Members of a wide range of ages, from 9 to 89, were practicing diligently.

Professional creators, including director Akiko Ohara and conductor Koyashiki Sensei, are involved in the production of Anne of Green Gables, and they give serious, sometimes strict, comments such as, "Try singing so that the words can be heard a little more clearly," and, "In this phrase, try calling out to Anne in a more friendly way."

The instruction was much more detailed and thorough than I expected, and I realized how high the level of instruction was.

In addition, professional vocalists Riho Tagawa and Yuya Tanaka will be playing Marilla and Matthew, who will be taking in Anne!

What surprised me most at the rehearsal studio was the incredible power of their voices!!

It was my first time to enjoy a vocalist singing live, and I was so taken aback by the powerful singing that I felt like my whole body was being blown away, and I found my mouth hanging open.

However, unlike me, the members of EXPRESSION sing with their voices equal to those of the two of them.

To think that they do this every week. It must be an emotionally stimulating time for both children and adults! I'm so jealous!

Interview with the EXPRESSION members who participated in the practice

After the rehearsal, we were able to talk to everyone. The oldest member of EXPRESSION, an 89-year-old woman, said that she started participating after her violinist daughter-in-law was going to perform in the 2019 production of Anne of Green Gables. At 89 years old, this will be her second appearance in five years!

Although she was active in the theater before her marriage, she has now returned to singing after having completely given up on it. "It feels fresh and I'm having a lot of fun," she says with a smile.

She also seems to get energy from her children, saying, "My children are old enough that they could be my great-grandchildren. They are so wonderful, they give me strength."

The girl who plays Anne's best friend, Diana, participated in the show with her mother. After learning songs and acting here, she told us, "I had so much fun that I joined the drama club at school and am now working hard at acting."

"This is my first time on such a big stage as an airport, so I'm nervous, but I want to immerse myself in the role of Diana and give a dynamic performance," she said, showing her true acting skills as she spoke with enthusiasm.

The boy playing the role of Gilbert joined the group after his older sister appeared in the previous EXPRESSION performance, saying, "I want to try it too!"

"It's my first time even saying my lines, so it's difficult, but I'm doing my best! I'm happy to be able to learn songs from a professional teacher," she said. During breaks, she played with everyone energetically, but during practice, she quickly switched gears and got serious about her practice.

The lead role of Anne will be played by two different girls in the first and second parts, a so-called "double cast." Apparently there were many girls who wanted to play Anne, so she was chosen through auditions.

The girl who plays Anne in the second part has been participating in EXPRESSION since she was an elementary school student, and is now in her third year of junior high school. Now a big girl, she is practicing while also studying for her entrance exams.

"I really like Anne's character. Her personality is the complete opposite of mine. I envy the fact that she is very curious about many things and expresses her feelings immediately," she said, analyzing Anne in detail.

"I'm going to put my heart into it and do my best so that people passing by will stop in their tracks," he said enthusiastically.

The husband and wife who participated in the event were originally fans of Riho Tagawa!

His wife, who has loved singing since her school days, saw Tagawa's YouTube videos and decided to participate, wanting to learn from him.

The wife came to visit EXPRESSION because she "wanted to meet Professor Tagawa," while her husband initially just tagged along.

"But it started to be so much fun that before we knew it, we were both participating," he said, looking at each other with a smile.

It's like a dream come true to not only meet your favorite idol, but also to stand on stage with them.

Now, the two of them are practicing at home in preparation for the real thing.

Riho Tagawa, who is participating as a professional, normally works with the belief that "singing is speaking," and sympathized with Ikumi Kuroda's belief that words are important, which led her to join EXPRESSION.

"The children listen to what we're teaching the adults and reflect on themselves, and vice versa, so it's fun to have three generations participating. The children come up to ask, 'How did you make that sound?' or 'I want to express this feeling, but how should I sing it?' It's very rewarding," he says.

The children seemed to be seriously enjoying the opportunity to work with the professionals.

A close look at the rehearsal on the day of the performance! Hanepyon is also dressed up as "Anne of Green Gables"

When we arrived at Haneda Airport Garden on August 8th, we saw announcements for the "Anne of Green Gables" stage on a large digital sign at the entrance and everywhere else!

The Yagura Stage is located in the center of the Grand Foyer on the first floor, down the escalator. Its presence is truly impressive when you see it in person, and as there are restaurants nearby, it is a place where many foreign tourists come and go.

The tower stage is usually decorated with pictures of pine trees, but today it will be decorated with a photo of Green Gables, the model for Anne's house on Prince Edward Island in Canada!

I had wondered how they would be able to bring to life the world of Anne of Green Gables on a stage so large that even a large set could not be placed, but I see! Prince Edward Island appeared in an instant.

The stage is open on three sides, so of course it can be seen perfectly from the escalators and the second floor.

I was filled with anticipation as I watched the rehearsal, thinking that this would be a show that a lot of people would enjoy, when the families of the performers, unable to wait any longer, arrived and were already enjoying themselves.

And Hanepyon, the official PR character for Ota Ward, also came to play! Surrounded by children, Hanepyon was no wonder he was so popular!

Next to the stage were tourism booths promoting the attractions of Ota Ward, as well as booths introducing Canada and Prince Edward Island, and Hanepyon was also there to promote the attractions of Ota Ward!

Also, for this event only, there will be badges made in collaboration with "Anne of Green Gables"! So cute!

Before the show, the members of EXPRESSION hugged Nepyon and took photos with him. They were really energized.

What was the situation in the dressing room just before the show?

The performers were busy rehearsing until the very last minute and preparing their costumes and makeup.

I arrived in the dressing room timidly, expecting the atmosphere to be very tense, but everyone greeted me with smiles and said, "Hello!" and "Oh! You're taking secret photos, aren't you?"

The girl who plays the main character, Anne, said, "My grandparents and friends are coming, so I have to do my best! I'm really looking forward to it!" She had such a relaxed look on her face! I was surprised.

The warm atmosphere and dignified presence of everyone was just as I felt in the rehearsal room. After taking a group photo, it was time to head to the stage for the real thing!!

It's finally time for the real thing! I'll watch over you as if I were a relative.

Before the performance began, the viewing area was filled with many people. Not only the performers' families and friends, but also people passing by stopped to stare at the stage, wondering what was going to happen next.

And finally, the "Anne of Green Gables" stage began!

The members of EXPRESSION showed the results of their practice as they performed their roles with sparkling eyes. Their beautiful harmony portrayed the rich interactions between Anne and the people of the island.

"People live by believing in each other and supporting each other"

The message contained in the lyrics resonates with all of us, who connect with each other through song, regardless of age.

This time, the stage was short, lasting 40 minutes and consisting mainly of songs, but it was packed with the charm of "Anne of Green Gables."

The episode in which Anne was picking flowers on her way to church and her hat ended up in a pile of flowers was a fun one for the adults to join in too.

An episode is also recreated in which, after his classmate Gilbert teased him about his red hair, he showed his wild side by hitting Gilbert over the head with the tablet blackboard.

Although Anne is unique, she attracts the people around her and heals Marilla and Matthew. Once again, "Anne of Green Gables" is such a warm and wonderful story.

There were also many children in the audience watching the stage intently, and it made my heart warm to think that the future Anne, Gilbert, and Diana might be born from among them.

After the performance, I heard the audience saying things like "You were great!" and "That was wonderful," and for some reason I felt proud, thinking to myself "Isn't it!? Isn't it!!"

"Ann is love, Ann is light ♪" I remembered everyone's beautiful voices singing, which never left my head, and left the airport feeling very warm and happy.

EXPRESSION is currently recruiting new members! Parents and children, couples, and of course individuals are all welcome to join.

In addition to taking on big stage challenges like this one, they also experience the joy of "being useful to others" through charity concerts to support children battling childhood cancer and serious illnesses, and through concerts at hospitals and elderly care facilities.

The trial lesson is free, so why not give it a try? The atmosphere is very warm, so please feel free to join us.

Click here for details of trial lessons

Homepage: https://expression2016.wixsite.com/stage
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/expression8629/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064517959263

[Writer of this article] Yurika Saito

【profile】
Graduated from the Faculty of Literature at Keio University. After working at JTB Shutoken (now JTB) and Recruit Communications (now Recruit), he went independent. He is active in a wide range of areas, from marketing to web production direction, interviews and writing, and media management. In 2020, he launched the online media "Audience" specializing in theater, and is working hard to convey the message that "I'm glad to be alive. There are moments in theater that make you think that."
I fell in love at first sight with Hanepyon when I met him during this interview. I was mesmerized by his cute movements.

Supervision: Satomi Matsumoto/Jun Miyoshi