The original novel of Slumdog Millionaire is staged, Asayuki Yara is a young man from the slums
Written on March 23, 2022 by Stage Natalie Editorial Department
Link to the original article here
The musical drama " Slumdog Millionaire " will be performed at Theater Creation in Tokyo from August 1st to 21st.
This is a stage adaptation of the original novel "Q&A" of the movie " Slumdog Millionaire ", which won eight Academy Awards in 2009 . In the play, the life of Ram, a young man from a slum, who clears difficult questions one after another on a popular quiz show, unfolds as a musical drama.
Misaki Setoyama is in charge of the performance script and direction . In addition to Tomoyuki Yara playing the role of Ram, Ryota Murai will play the two roles of Ram's best friends Shankar and Salim, Fuuka Yuzuki will play the role of Nita, a prostitute who falls in love with Ram, and Otsuka will play the role of Sumita Shah, a lawyer who supports Ram. Jiei Kawahira has been cast as Prem Kumar, the host of Chihiro 's popular quiz show "Who's Got 1 Billion?"
The cast's comments for the performance are as follows.
Comment from Yoshihiro Murai
I've always loved the movie "Slumdog Millionaire", so when I heard about it, my heart raced as I wondered how it would be expressed if it were to be staged. It's a challenge for me to play two roles this time. I think there are various difficulties, but I would like to do my best. And many wonderful songs that deepen the depth of the work. I would be happy if I could deliver a wonderful work suitable for a musical drama. Please stay tuned.
Comment from Fuuka Yuzuki
I am very happy to be able to play the role of Nita, which is a new challenge for me, as well as the stage adaptation of the work that became a hot topic. In Japan, it was made into a quiz variety show called "Quiz $Millionaire", and I enjoyed watching it at the time, but in this work, the harsh and painful events depicted in the background made my heart hurt. Many people, including Ram, have seen Nita grow up with her thoughts and hopes stored in her heart, and find true love and justice while facing reality. I would like you to see it.
Comment from Chihiro Otsuka
When the movie was released, I went to see it without any knowledge, and I still remember how my heart was gouged out and my heart was tightened. The world's first stage adaptation of the original novel. Through this work, I would like to convey to everyone that we can convey social issues that have not been resolved yet, with the unique cast and Ms. Setoyama. May we create a world where a wonderful future awaits children all over the world, just as Ram opened up the future.
Comment from Yoshihide Kawahira
There are good people and bad people in this story, but everyone struggles, resists, and conflicts in order to reclaim their lives from the circumstances given to them. I would like to put such a clash of energies in life into a mysterious story, borrowing the power of song and dance to fully deliver it. In today's world where there is so much bad news, nothing would make me happier than to create a work that would leave viewers with a glorification of life on their way home.
August 1st (Monday) to 21st (Sunday), 2022
Tokyo Theater Creator
Original work: Vikas Swarup “Q&A”
Script and direction: Misaki Setoyama
Roles/Appearance
Ram Muhammad Thomas: Asako Yara
Shankar / Salim: Ryota Murai
Nita: Fuka Yuzuki
Sumita Shah: Chihiro Otsuka
Prem Kumar: Jie Kawahira
*July 28, 2022 postscript: Performances from August 1st to 4th have been canceled due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
