#InstaGRAPH was a social media-themed photo feature that ran in GRAPH (shocking) in 2019. The January issue featured photos presented by Sumiki Sayato, Seo Yuria, Hana Yuuki, and Agata Sen.
#InstaGRAPH – January 2019
Stars show off their most ‘insta-worthy’ photos!
Sumiki Sayato, Cosmos Troupe
During the rehearsals for Castle of the White Heron and Outsiders in the Rennaissance, I went to the ‘Biwako Terrace’ where I could look down on Lake Biwa. It was clear at ground level, but the terrace is in a bit of an elevated spot and by the time I arrived there was thick mist (laughs). But I stuck around a bit and the mist cleared up enough for this!
During winter of last year, my cat Popo-chan would run all over the blankets causing problems (laughs), but this winter she’s started laying on top of me every morning while I’m in bed and purring. When I’m petting her she’ll sleep in this posture (laughs). She’s a pretty early riser so I’ll think ‘Please don’t wake me up~’ but in the end she’s so cute I’ve just got to pet her (laughs).
As you can see, it’s Himeji Castle! I thought it was a must since I was in Castle of the White Heron, so I went during my time off after the end of the Grand Theatre run. The outside is so beautiful, of course, but when I would see the nicks in the wood and things like that inside, I thought, people really used to live here. Also, since I play a warrior during the show, I went to see the armory and things like that and it made it easier to picture things.
Seo Yuria, Star Troupe
After my Bow Hall production Debutante, I went on vacation in the Southern hemisphere! The goal of my journey was this giant swing. Before I got on I was really scared, but once I was finally on it it was so fun! The floating feeling was wonderful and as I was looking out over the scenery feeling the wind on my skin, I felt like I’d become a feral jungle child (laughs).
This is a photo we took during the run of Debutante, during the time I was crossing backstage from stage left to stage right after a quickchange. Though Sazanami-san and I had been talking the whole time about how we wanted to get a photo together, the timing for us to meet never quite lined up. So this is our ‘miracle shot’ that we snapped in a single moment.
A photo with everyone from New Wave! – Star. From these enthusiastic expressions you can see how we were all bursting with hope and energy, right (laughs). Playing the timpales1 was such a huge battle for me in the rehearsals! At first I thought I’d never ever be able to do it, but in the real show I was able to make it through somehow which is also a great memory.
Hana Yuuki, Flower Troupe
On a day with no shows we went to one of the flower shops run by the floral artist who was part of the inspiration for Hanna’s Florist, Nikolai Bergmann. It’s totally different from a normal flower shop, the staff members are from all different countries, and the café annex was also so wonderful… I’m a huge fan of Hanna’s Florist, so much so that I own the DVD, so I was super emotional, “It’s just like the world of the play!”
Sakino Mion-chan is so properly girly and good at cooking! During rehearsals she would make cookies and waffles and things, and when she would bring in these cute treats that were just delicious, it was always such a recharge. I don’t really cook so…I want to learn from her example (laughs).
During the rehearsals of MESSIAH, Shiroki (Mirei)-san told us “Why don’t you try drawing pictures of Paradise!” And when we tried actually drawing it, our Paradises both incorporated the individuality of us and our characters… It made things way easier to visualise. Long story short, even though my picture was so clumsy, Mama (Ousaki Ayaka) still accepted it so happily!
Agata Sen, Snow Troupe
Mame-san (Sakuraba) has been so nice to me for a long time, since before she transferred troupe. If me and my classmate Yuumi have any problems, the first thing is to ask her! that’s how kind she is to us. For Halloween Mame-san had a party at her house. She showed off her homemade meatloaf!
Soumi Haruma-kun made this neck warmer for me in cow print, my favorite. In the Arc de Triomphe junior performance she played my role, and this time, in Phantom, I’m playing her role of the clown2 in the junior performance! Somehow I’ve had lots of opportunities to interact with her, so I was kind of surprised to think ‘I’ve got my own junior now’ (laughs). As I’m teaching her different things I’m also learning a lot myself.
During my vacation before the start of Phantom rehearsals, me and my family went to gather chestnuts. I’ve been going out hunting the fruits of the field like this since I was little, so my hands are totally used to it (laughs). After our picking, I got to eat my mother’s delicious chestnut rice!
Notes:
1 – A type of drum.
2 – Probably the uncredited role from the ‘Melodie du Paris’ scene.