I enjoyed Shiro Ito at the annual Atami Goro Ichiza.
I went to see the play "Atami Goro Ichiza (led by Yuji Miyake): Smile Forever ~The Slightly Bad Lady and the Magic of Love~."
It's a play I look forward to and buy tickets for as soon as they are announced, like a regular annual event. I was quite surprised when I first saw this play. For someone raised on Saturday's Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, it was a fresh experience to realize there was such a different kind of "comedy."
Perhaps it's the unique flavor that Edokko Yuji Miyake brings; he does deliver some sharp retorts, but they are handled with such a nonchalant touch. Maybe that's why the humor is so gently funny. It grows on you, like chewing on dried squid.
This time was also truly hilarious.
In addition to the regular members, this play features a female guest as the heroine every time. I think it was her first time doing comedy, but 🤣 I wonder how many years ago that was, when Yasuko Sawaguchi performed a skit with such seriousness—it was truly adorable and had me laughing out loud.
This time it was veteran actress Yuki Matsushita. She is someone who provides a sense of absolute stability in any angle of performance, never making the audience feel uneasy for even a millimeter. Whether in dramas, commercials, or on stage. I believe she is also good at singing and dancing. And her role this time was just perfect, lol. Even after time has passed, I can still remember it and enjoy the laughter. I heard the tickets are sold out, but oh, I want to see it again! 👍
And then, 86-year-old Shiro Ito appeared as a "special guest." But, you know, he's the big boss, so he'll only have a small part, just a little bit, right?
Not at all!!
He was on stage almost the entire time after the curtain rose, wasn't he? And he had such an incredibly important role, didn't he!?
In the middle
Is he okay?
Huh?
Did he forget his lines?
Or is that part of the act?
Even so,
I wonder if it's tiring
for him to be standing the whole time...
I have a feeling that over 90 percent of the audience was watching over him with a bit of nervousness, lol.
But he was amazing, like "amazing x 1000" amazing.
What do I mean?
It's not that he was amazing because he did moves like Matsuken Samba.
It was the opposite.
He just used minimal movements and spoke his lines normally without much inflection. If anything, he handled it very lightly, almost airily.
And yet, why, oh why
was it so funny~!!!!
I want to say this 100 times too. Lol.
The comparison might be poor, but perhaps it's the "flavor of a ripe persimmon." I feel like I was treated to some truly delicious laughter. A kind of laughter that is ripe, soft, and rich in substance—that came across just by him standing there on stage! (Wait, what am I getting so worked up about?)
Hmm.
While watching such a performance, I thought, I'm glad I was able to get a ticket this time too. I'm happy I could see it. As I was thinking, "Thank you so much," by the time it reached the final act, I was tearing up. 🥲 Thoroughly satisfied.
During the generous 30-minute intermission, I enjoyed some three-colored dango 🍡 (I gobbled them up and forgot to take a picture)
and wandered around the souvenir shop.
I left the Shinbashi Enbujo Theater feeling very satisfied.
The night breeze felt wonderful.
Having watched such a kind-hearted performance, I decided I should be kinder to others too (a bit late, aren't I?).
Well, the show has only just begun, and I am rooting from the bottom of my heart for the cast, whose average age is on the higher side, to please take care of their health and do their best. Oh, and I mustn't forget that the opening act by Mr. Azuma MAX is also excellent every time.
The end