ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
SATSUKI( AMI OKUMURA JONES) AND MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY IN
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
MEI( VICTORIA CHEN), TATSUO( DAI TABUCHI) AND SATSUKI( AMI OKUMURA
JONES) IN MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
© Manuel Harlan insideKENT caught up with Ami Okumura Jones( Satsuki) and Victoria Chen( Mei) to find out more about their experience working on such a beguiling show.
iK: Hi Ami and Victoria, it was a privilege to watch you last night, what a great performance! This show means so much to so many people, especially fans of the original film. What’ s the most surprising challenge you’ ve faced bringing these iconic characters to life on stage?
Ami: I’ ve seen the film dozens of times; it’ s practically part of my DNA, but I wanted to avoid the temptation to lean on the source material and end up mimicking a performance rather than evoking it and bringing it to life, which was a delicate balance to tread. There are certain iconic images and moments that you have to deliver because that’ s what people want to see, but I knew my performance had to be unique. That was a stressful challenge occasionally, but a joyous one, too; I was surprised how quickly I was able to park the film, put it to one side and let the show be its own version by really making it my own.
iK: Can you share any moments during rehearsals that completely shifted your understanding of the story or your character?
Victoria: Wow. I love this question. This show is really joyous. It’ s delightful, it’ s fun, it’ s great entertainment and also very
artistic, so when you know you’ re going to be part of a show that is like this, it can be easy to forget that you also need to bring a lot of honesty and truth to highlight the more serious side of the show’ s message. It’ s funny because it’ s so real and people relate to its silliness- not just because we’ re goofing about on stage, but because it’ s just so true to life. It’ s great to have our director Phelim reminding us all the time that the show isn’ t a comedy although there are moments where it just happens to be funny; it’ s an honest, heartfelt and courageous show.
iK: How does performing in the unique space of the Gillian Lynne Theatre influence the performance, especially with its in-the-round intimacy?
Ami: The theatre space allows the audiences to wrap around its curve, which feels as though they’ re hugging the stage, so it’ s so surprisingly intimate, which works beautifully for this show because you get the scale, the impact and the wonderful imagery that a big West End theatre allows, but you are close enough to see the beautiful, detailed work of the puppeteers on the set. It just works so brilliantly. So much of what makes My Neighbour Totoro special as a play is not just seeing the images, the amazing puppets and the incredible scenery, but that you are seeing it being created by humans moving the puppets and the set, so you experience the breathtaking craftsmanship, too.
© Manuel Harlan
MAKE IT A LONDON THEATRE STAYCATION!
Stay: The May Fair Hotel Steeped in elegance and just a stone’ s throw from London’ s iconic West End, The May Fair Hotel is the ultimate base for a luxury theatre getaway. Offering plush rooms, impeccable service and an atmosphere that blends glamour with modern comfort, it’ s perfectly placed for catching a show and enjoying the buzz of Theatreland. Post-performance, retreat to the hotel’ s sophisticated bar or unwind in the stunning spa. There’ s also a plentiful breakfast buffet to indulge in courtesy of the May Fair Kitchen before you depart. themayfairhotel. co. uk
Eat: The River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay at The Savoy As pre-theatre menus go, you can’ t go far wrong with the two- or threecourse(£ 37 /£ 45) offering at The River Restaurant. A short stroll from Covent Garden, expect a refined dining experience with a set menu bursting with seasonal British seafood served in a setting rich in art-deco charm- a dinner that perfectly sets the stage for the evening’ s entertainment ahead. gordonramsayrestaurants. com / riverrestaurant
Travel: Southeastern High Speed With super-fast connections courtesy of Southeastern’ s High Speed trains, venture to London in less than an hour from a myriad of Kent stations, arriving on time and in comfort for your luxurious theatre staycation in the buzzing capital. southeasternrailway. co. uk
www. insidekent. co. uk • 27