hsjhoshi | Nakajima Yuto - Wendy & Peter Pan Pamphlet

Peter as he sees himself, a child of the times with a strong desire for approval by society

What I realised when I read this play was that the author, Ella Hickson-san, felt from her own experiences..... that there are questions that are hidden about the sense of values that men and women have and the positions they take in modern society. The idea of incorporating that into the story of "Peter Pan" is amazing. I felt that the Peter that appears here is a child with a strong need for approval in society. That's where he's similar to me, I was a kid who was brimming with curiosity, and my report card at primary school said that I had a strong sense of justice. I used to fight a lot because of my strong sense of justice. (laughs)

When we were thinking about how to express Peter, Munby-san said to all of us, "Don't try to create the role, I want you to be yourself."
It was like he was telling me to trust my senses, and that gave me courage. It's scary, but it's something I'm working on, thinking that maybe it's OK to be myself. When I see Wendy doing her best for her family, I understand exactly how she feels since I'm also the kind of person who assumes responsibility on my own (laughs). I think about what I want myself to do in such a situation, and I think about what I can do for her as Peter. My co-stars are all wonderful people. Tsutsumi-san is a jokester who always tells jokes to make me feel at ease (laughs). At first it was difficult to approach him because I felt his aura, but as we practiced the sword fighting, he talked candidly about the time when he used to do stunts, and I really learned a lot from him.

Everyone praises me with my flying, saying "You're used to doing it on the Johnny's stage, so you're amazing", but including my experience on a Johnny's stage, this is the longest I've ever flown (laughs). I have nervousness about the flying and the sword fighting, so I try to put safety first. I won't hold back, if I don't think I can do it, I'll say so. We care not only for ourselves but also for everyone else. We believe in each other, we protect each other, we notice each other. I think that kind of atmosphere in the rehearsal room is wonderful.

This story is very cheerful and there are many funny parts, but what touches me the most is the "parting with people" that is depicted here. I would like the audience to experience it first hand, to notice the many emotions and to enjoy it. I would also like the adults to become boys and girls, too... there are some scenes where we need you to become boys and girls (laughs), so I would like you to be boys and girls dreaming of Neverland while you are at the theatre.