Emma Clarendon chatted to Kanako about starring in this revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
How does it feel to be part of this revival of Pacific Overtures? So exciting!
What can you tell us about the show? The show has been created by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman back in 1970’s.The story is set in Japan at the time of Perry Expedition and opening of Japan in 1853 onwards. Even though the story is fiction, we still follow the actual historical events and real people who existed back in Edo-Meiji period in Japan.
How does it feel to be bringing the show to the Menier Chocolate Factory? I feel that we can show a lot of details with simplicity in this theatre. You can feel and sense closely from what individual actors/performers bring into the space. I am so looking forward to feeling the atmosphere we can create together in this intimate house, not only among us as a company but with having the audiences in the same space as well. There has recently been a production in Japan in March-April last year with the same creative team members, but it was at a much larger proscenium stage and the theatre could be filled with the capacity of 1330, so it will be a very different dynamic on a traversed space stage in a much more intimate space like the Menier Chocolate Factory.
How familiar with Pacific Overtures were you before joining the production? At the audition I knew the name of the show because of Sondheim, but I actually didn’t know the show at all. As soon as I got an offer, I started to research about not only the contents of the show but about my own culture, traditions and what our ancestors have gone through. It has been very fascinating to find out these interesting individual stories here and there. I am feeling proud to be here right now as a Japanese woman and at the same time feeling some kind of connections to these people who existed and being filled with gratitude, what authentically carry within my body.
What has it been like working on the production so far? It’s been challenging but I am having the best time of my time. As well as playing the role of Tamate, I have been an assistant director for the first time in this production. Having been able to support the show authentically in many fields, it’s been a joy, being valued for who I am and I have also learnt more about myself at the same time. It is such a rewarding job and someone I admire mentioned before starting this job, that it is ultimately a fun way to support and help the production… and that is so true. And… what a company we have! I adore every single one of them and feel very lucky to be working with these amazing people with great talents and gifts. Everyone has been adaptable, hardworking, sharing warmth, humour, charm, and food (this always happens when the majority of the company member are Asian! We love enjoying our food together!). Being caring and supportive in the same space every day, I have been inspired and moved by them in many ways. We have an imported Samurai from Japan, who has never performed in English nor lived in the UK before. Having witnessed closely how hard he has been working and achieving so much in such a short time has been astonishing. The process has allowed us the chance to find out more and learn about Japanese culture, language and gesture, how we embody ourselves together has been a very endearing experience for me.
What can audiences expect from this revival? It will be so vibrant and lively for sure and also, serene in some moments. We can all enjoy our senses with flavours of Japanese authenticity and atmosphere, meeting Western creativity with Sondheim’s beautifully crafted masterpiece scores. What a collaboration!
By Emma Clarendon
Pacific Overtures continues to play at the Menier Chocolate Factory until the 24th February 2024.