Directed by Matthew White, Pacific Overtures is playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 November 2023 to 24 February 2024. Pacific Overtures is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by John Weidman, with “additional material by” Hugh Wheeler. Set in 19th-century Japan, it tells the story of the country’s westernization starting in 1853, when American ships forcibly opened it to the rest of the world.
The Artiscape spoke to Kanako Nakano who plays the role of Tamate.
Her theatre work includes My Neighbour Totoro (RSC/Barbican), A Chorus Line (Curve Leicester), White Pearl (Royal Court Theatre), Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre, UK tour), Kiki’s Delivery Service (Southwark Playhouse), West Side Story (Grange Park Opera), and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK tour). Her television work includes Secret Invasion and Peep Show; and for film, People Just Do Nothing.
What attracted you to this musical script?
Nakano: Stephen Sondheim. Two Jewish American men wrote a musical about Japan back in 1970’s.
Can you tell us about the character you play?
Nakano: I play the role of Tamate, who is the wife of a Samurai – Kayama Eizaemon. Tamate represents old Japan, Japanese women and Samurai’s wives towards the end of Edo period (Bakumatsu 1853 – 1868) in the show.
What do you look forward to in performing in this musical?
Nakano: To tune into my authenticity as a Japanese woman. Even though I have been living in the UK for a long time, what I carry within my body and what has been passed on from my family, my ancestors, Japanese culture and spirituality are always there. I am delighted and proud to represent them in this show, which has been created by Western Artistry. What a wonderful opportunity to collaborate!
What do you feel an audience will enjoy about Pacific Overtures?
Nakano: Even though this show is fiction, it is based on some true history and real people who existed. So, imagining what sort of things people went through in and around Japan as a human being about 170 years ago.
It will give an audience the opportunity to think about how things have evolved since then. As well as, listening to beautiful and cleverly written music scores by Sondheim, performed by very talented individuals in such an intimate space – The Menier Chocolate Factory.
To book tickets for Pacific Overtures visit this website.
