Kuranosuke Sasaki is an actor known for his diverse talents on stage, in television dramas, and on talk shows. In the upcoming production of "Macbeth," which begins on July 12, he will take on the acclaimed "National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) version of Macbeth," featuring a groundbreaking performance in which he plays over 20 characters. Originally from a stage background, Kuranosuke has experience playing other Shakespeare plays and the role of Macbeth, so even for him, "Macbeth" is an exceptionally ambitious undertaking. We spoke to him about this challenge. "Macbeth," one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, will be performed in a nearly 100-minute, almost solo performance. The setting is a hospital. I play a male patient who begins to narrate the story of Macbeth. At times, I play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the witches, King Duncan, Banquo, and many other characters. The stage was filmed by surveillance cameras and displayed on three monitors, meaning I was constantly being watched from various angles for 100 minutes.
--What does it feel like to be one person playing 20 roles?
When it comes to acting, the first thing is the sheer number of lines. No matter how many times I flip through the script, all I get to see are my own lines. For example, there's a back-and-forth between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth about whether or not to kill Duncan, and no matter how much I wait to hear the next line, I'm met with, "Oh, it's me again." Naturally, it's a situation where I have no choice but to say my lines over and over again (laughs).
--I'm worried that the audience might get confused, too.
The stage effectively uses monitors to project the characters, making it very easy to understand. The man is shown from various angles, so the audience can follow his movements and understand why he's been put in the hospital ward, why he's injured, and what's in the bag he's holding. I hope you'll let your imagination run wild. It's as if he's possessed by the various characters, who alternate between playing different personalities. It's easy to follow Macbeth's story through the figure of one man, almost as if he's splitting apart.
--With so many different personalities, do you have a favorite character?
Nothing in particular, but playing a female character is a fresh experience. For example, Lady Macbeth's line, "Make me no woman now, and fill me from head to toe with dark cruelty!" is something I never get a chance to say in my everyday life (laughs).
--Just like the original NTS version, Andrew Goldberg has been invited to direct the production. Is there anything different from usual, since you're working with a foreign director?
First of all, I start with praise, like "Great!" and "Excellent!" In Japan, we usually start with criticism (laughs). Even during rehearsals, Andrew doesn't follow the lines in the script, but instead focuses solely on my performance. He always has a smile on his face and thinks of the easiest way for me to act.
--Is there any communication problem when it comes to a dialogue play, especially in Japanese?
Every line in the script is numbered, and he gives precise instructions like, "Which line is that...?" Despite the differences between Japanese and English, I feel there's a common thread when it comes to creating a stage production. And Andrew's smile is everything.
--At the press conference, you said, "I'm always ready to run away" (laughs). I heard you actually went to Scotland to film the photo book "Moving Forest: A Scottish Journey to Macbeth." Did that experience change your mindset in any way?
Yes, I actually visited the scene of King Duncan's murder, the ruins of Macduff Castle, Birnam Wood, and other places. When I think of Scotland, I imagine forests, lakes, bagpipes, and kilts, but the first thing I noticed when I actually set foot there was, "What a hostile nature!" (laughs) I also climbed Dunsinane Hill, the scene of Macbeth's final moments, but it's more like a mountain than a hill. I had planned to take it easy in the afternoon and have a beer on the hill, but the altitude was surprisingly high, the wind was strong, and it looked like it was going to rain (laughs). What I found there wasn't soothing nature, but "nature in battle." The witches and fairies in Shakespeare's stories give the impression of an invisible life force breathing into the air. I'd always wondered why Shakespeare's plays always have so much shouting, but now I feel like I understand a little bit of Macbeth's feelings when he cries out, "O unmoving earth!"
--So you were able to experience Shakespeare's world firsthand. However, Shakespeare's lines are often thought of as being difficult to understand. What was it like performing them? "Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's shortest plays, and to put it bluntly, it's a story about a man named Macbeth who is troubled and confused. He's tempted by the witches and Lady Macbeth, and even begins to have hallucinations. "Maybe I can do it," they say, "You can do it!" And then, in the end, "I did it!" (laughs). But I think there's a Macbeth or Lady Macbeth in everyone's heart. Once they make a decision, they start to have doubts and regrets. It's precisely because these characters have such human weaknesses that we can empathize with them. However, I think the real joy of watching a play is when they cross the line and kill someone. I hope everyone will see this new production of Shakespeare's classic play, Macbeth, which has been performed for over 400 years.
--Rehearsals are in their final stages, and I imagine every day is tense. How do you spend your days off?
I try to relax as much as possible between rehearsals. When I go shopping, I buy things like loungewear and bath salts. From the food I eat to the things around me, I've always made it a point to incorporate things that are good for my body. I also do things like stretching and massages. Ultimately, I end up spending all my time maintaining my body for the stage (laughs).
--Last year (2014), you took on the challenge of Super Kabuki Second, and this year you're doing a Shakespeare solo play. Do you think you choose challenging jobs every year? I'd like to know what motivates you.
I'm not at all seeking out difficult challenges! It's all fate. With the Kabuki production, I had the opportunity to work with (Ichikawa) Ennosuke, and this time, I've had the chance to work with everyone at NTS. I'm truly grateful for the opportunities and people I've had the chance to encounter, and I want to cherish them. However, I would like to take it easy if I could... although I've never heard of such a play before (laughs).
■Profile
Sasaki Kuranosuke
Born in Kyoto Prefecture. While still a student at Kobe University, he participated in the founding of Planet Pistachio in 1990. As a leading actor, he appeared in all of the troupe's performances until he retired in 1998. In 2000, he gained attention for his role in the NHK morning drama series "Audrey." In 2005, he launched his own theater unit, Team Saru, which he produced and continues to plan and perform in shows. In March 2014, he appeared on the Kabuki stage in "Super Kabuki Second: The Sky Carvers - The Story of a Young Buddhist Sculptor." He is an all-rounder who can handle a wide range of roles not only on stage but also in film and television, and is popular with people of all ages and genders.
■Macbeth related information
Japanese version directed by Andrew Goldberg
Written by: William Shakespeare
Translated by: From "Macbeth" translated by Matsuoka Kazuko
Starring: Sasaki Kuranosuke and others
Kicking off at Shibuya Parco Theater on July 12, 2015, the show will travel to five locations across the country: Toyohashi, Osaka, Yokohama and Kitakyushu. *Tickets available on the day
[Official special website]
http://www.parco-play.com/web/play/macbeth/
■Photobook related information
"The Moving Forest - A Journey Through Scotland's Macbeth"
Sasaki Kuranosuke (Photography by Fukuyama Nisei)
2,500 yen (Scheduled to be released by Fusosha on July 11, 2015)
