After a successful European Premiere Staged Concert back in April, Your Lie in April has returened to London's West End for a fully-staged production at the Harold Pinter Theatre, currently running until 21st September. We took the opportunity to speak to Rachel Clare Chan who is starring in the show to tell us more.
Q) Before we begin, please could you introduce yourself and the character that you play in Your Lie in April?
Yes, my name is Rachel Clare Chan and I play Tsubaki Sawabe in Your Lie in April!
Q) How do you approach your character Tsubaki?
The beautiful thing about bringing Tsubaki to life on stage is that there is so much source material to turn to. I read the manga and watched the Japanese anime series to understand a bit more of how the original writers portrayed her, and through that foundation was able to have conversations with our directors, writers and dramaturg about Tsubaki’s journey through the musical.
She’s a character with so much emotional range - she’s fun and feisty, sarcastic and witty, but also goes through some huge emotional growth and matures a lot during the show. Many people can relate to being the friend that’s overlooked, so I try to take care to make her as detailed, layered and real as possible, while embracing her quirky and larger than life nature.
Q) How does it feel to originate an original role? And open Your Lie in April on the West End?
It’s every actor’s dream, isn’t it? I always used to say that my dream role was one that I got to originate, so it’s a real gift to be here and I thank my lucky stars every day that this came around. The process when creating an original show is so hands-on and truly involves its actors. We got to share our thoughts about our characters as we learned about and grew into them. We’d throw our acting choices at the wall to see what would stick and refine them with our directors. It’s so special to have been able to contribute to the creative process and have open discussions about Tsubaki and her relationships with others.
It’s brilliant to be opening a show with so much heart in the West End, one that resonates with people deeply and is also just a lot of fun. It’s very much a pinch me moment every day when I hear the orchestra start to play our opening chords and realising I’m about to do this beautiful show with some of my best friends in the world.
Q) Could you talk about the changes from Your Lie In April the concert in April, to a West End show in June?
Our show has grown so much since its European premiere in concert form! While a lot has remained, we’ve completely fleshed out these characters and just kept adding layers to peel back for each of their journeys. The creatives have had more time to play with what works and what doesn’t in order to trim the show to its best form. Our set and design has just been taken up an entire notch and the world is truly built and embraced in this production.
Q) How does it feel to be working with Frank Wildhorn and the entire creative team, after working with them in Death Note?
This entire creative team is such a joy to work with and you always feel like you’re in safe hands with them. They have proven their understanding of the Manga Musical and really know how to have us speaking that language so it translates on stage.
Frank does a brilliant job of writing these luscious melodies that capture the stakes of anything manga or anime, and the way he encourages his actors to play and find their own voice is so incredibly refreshing and lovely to experience. He champions his actors and encourages us to be individuals, to live in the music and breathe it in every night.
Q) This show is making history as the first all-asian cast. Could you talk a little about the atmosphere with the cast?
We truly are like a family, it’s cliché and perhaps cheesy but it’s the truth. There is something so special about us bonding with each other - it can feel like a small and tight community of ESEA actors in musical theatre here in London, but to get to work with a cast made up entirely of people you resonate with on that level is really something special.
We hear each other and see each other. We even threw a little West End debut blessing ceremony for our SIX (!!!) West End debuts in this show, a moment that was so special for us. This show champions ESEA actors and that means more to us that words can describe.
Q) Are there any pre-show or post-show rituals that you or the team have?
Mia, who plays Kaori, and I share a dressing room and we generally get up to no good before the show - always chatting away with each other, updating about our lives while we put on our makeup, mics and costume, and get ready to do the show.
My first entrance is right after our first song, “If I Can’t Hear the Music”, and I always do a little boogie with the ensemble who are singing side stage right before I run on!
Q) Advice you'd give to young artists?
If you can’t beat the fear, do it scared. I’m scared of most of the things I have to do! The industry and its demands are hard, but by being brave and allowing yourself to try, and fail, you will grow and learn so much about yourself as a human and as a performer.
Also, don’t be afraid to care. It’s cool to be passionate about showing up and doing the work. Sometimes it really is just as simple as being a great company member to the people around you by being kind and professional!
Q) Are there any other anime you'd love to see adapted to a musical?
Ooh, it’s a hard question! I loved the anime Future Diary when I was younger, so maybe that one?
Q) A small detail about the show that keen eyed audience members should watch out for?
If you ever come to the show, you can look out for how many times I change socks! It sounds absolutely bizarre but our brilliant designer Kimie Nakano has such an eye for detail. I change sock colour based on the season we’re in!
Also our set designer Justin Williams has decorated all our lockers - have a look inside when I open mine. There are subtle nods to Death Note, too!
Q) Is there anything that you'll take away from working on this production?
Absolutely, there are so many things I’ve learnt about myself and about musical theatre through being a part of this journey. I think what I’ve learnt most is that collaboration is key - there are so many moving parts to a show and the more you can be available to those around you, the better!
Q) Why should audiences come along to see this show?
Our show is moving, poignant, fun, and just a huge celebration of music, friendship and the power of connection. People see themselves in these characters and their journeys and the representation on stage is really something special. Come catch us in this historic show before we’re gone!
Your Lie in April is currently playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 21st September - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
Photography by Matt Crockett and Craig Sugden
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