One would never expect an open rehearsal featuring only two numbers to be a particularly entertaining affair. Of course, one isn’t always lucky enough to attend an open rehearsal featuring natural born entertainer Shinji Takeda.
The mood was light as the two casts took their turns to perform 50%50% and Hi Ho. The Gohta Watabe/Nao Minasawa pair brought a certain sweet naivety to the characters, Gohta’s goofy actions contrasting with the grace and precision of the support cast. On the other hand, Shinji Takeda and Hitomi Takahashi exuded a coolness that insinuated less innocence and more daring. Around them all, the chorus danced and sang, mimicking a bumpy train ride in their body angles and choreography. Their brief solos were belted rock-style and a testament to the authentic hide rock sound to appear in the musical.
However, the show didn’t stagnate with the end of the number. Whilst waiting for the stage to be reset, Shinji kept the show rolling, introducing the youngest cast member and explaining that it was his first time in a professional musical. Then the excitement and energy continued into Hi Ho, the cast re-appearing with massive fluffy hats as the bemused press waited eagerly for a further taste of musical mayhem. However, rehearsal or not, Shinji wasn’t about to let his spotlight be dimmed. He encouraged the viewers to react as they would without cameras, pens and a critical outlook. Naturally, he got the applause he was looking for.
Once again the pairs split for Hi Ho, but this time, Taka, vocalist of Defspiral took the stage as well, unexpectedly disappearing only moments after the number began. Meanwhile, the cast lived it up, their energy a living entity. When Gohta appeared with an electric guitar in hand, eyes widened and pens scribbled, the secret to the number revealed. Or so we thought. Before taking his turn, Shinji took a moment to introduce Taka and his fellow band-members providing musical backing for the show. Shinji promised us that despite Taka’s very brief appearance at the rehearsal, the rock-star’s role was vital to the story. The number repeated, even more lively that the first run-through, however, laughter rang out as Shinji made his re-appearance with – no, not a guitar but a saxophone!
In only two numbers the audience got a taste of the different types of characters the main cast would bring to the show as well as hints at many many more surprises. Perhaps even more intriguing than the differences in the leading actors were the insights into the various talents of the chorus such as an acoustic guitar whipped out in Hi Ho and numerous vocal solos and featured choreography. Also in a matter of only two numbers, the support cast proved themselves to be just as important and entertaining as the leads. Of course, the adaption of hide’s music to full-chorus numbers was nothing less than impressive, giving a wonderful impression of the show to come. The real intrigue, though, lies in the curiosity of how these wonderful numbers could be tied into a cohesive storyline with hide at the heart.
