In this issue of "Fateful Encounters," we ask today's most popular actors and artists about the people who influenced them. This time, we interviewed actor Yoshida Yo, who voices the Japanese version of Sister Clarissa, headmistress of the Elderly Bear Home, in the film "Paddington 3" (directed by Dougal Wilson, currently in theaters), and who also sings, about her meeting with playwright Koki Mitani.
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My fateful encounter was with Koki Mitani.
When I was working in small theaters, a friend recommended that I see Mitani's Tokyo Sunshine Boys' play "University of Laughter."
I was struck by lightning and thought, "Wow, there's such an interesting stage play out there!" I immediately wrote a letter to Mitani-san, saying, "I'll become an actor who can work with you someday."
When I told Mitani about this, I later found out that the letter never reached him, but it still feels like a dream that I got to appear in Mitani's play this year ("The Mongol Invasion").
I wish I could tell myself back then, "Don't give up, keep on acting, I'm sure Mr. Mitani will find you."
That was in the 90s, and my first time appearing as a semi-regular in a drama series was in 2007 (Tokai TV's daytime drama "Ai no Meikyu"). Having just come from a stage role, I didn't know what the angle of view of a TV was, so I was moving around freely and would often disappear from the screen.
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In the currently-showing film "Paddington: The Secret of the Lost Gold Coast," she voices the slightly mysterious new character, Sister Clarissa.
I really think it was fate that I got to appear in this film. When I studied abroad in the UK for a short period last summer, my teacher recommended the Paddington film as an English learning material.
It's a movie that children can enjoy, and the expressions are very simple, with many words that are easy to use. Also, it's full of emotions, so I learned a lot about the variety of ways to express emotions. Above all, the movie itself is very interesting, and I quickly became a fan of Paddington.
During my study abroad, I also went to Paddington Station. The first place I went to after arriving at Heathrow Airport was the Paddington Hilton Hotel, where I stayed on the first day. It was the first time I saw the Paddington statue, but I hadn't seen the movie yet, so I just missed it.
After watching the movie, I went to downtown London via Paddington Station. That's how I became completely obsessed with Paddington.
Paddington is a very playful and gentlemanly man. He also has a beautiful way of speaking, no matter where he is or who he is talking to. His way of speaking makes you melt.
Paddington has become even stronger in the latest film. I think he has gained the strength to fight not only for himself, but for those he loves.
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Yoshida Yo Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. After working on stage for about 10 years, mainly in small theaters, she began working in film. She caught the eye of Kiichi Nakai when she appeared in the NHK morning drama "Hitomi" in 2008, and began appearing in stage productions by Koki Mitani. She gained attention in the 2014 drama series "HERO" (Fuji TV), and is currently active in a wide range of films, dramas, and commercials. She won the Outstanding Actress Award at the 24th Yomiuri Theater Awards and the Individual Award at the 56th Kinokuniya Theater Awards in 2021.
＊……The movie "Paddington: The Secret of the Lost Golden Land" is based on a long-selling children's novel that has been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. In this third film in the series, Paddington the Bear, a "British gentleman" whose trademark is his red hat and duffle coat, goes on a family trip to Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy who lives in "Old Bear Home," and embarks on an adventure deep in the jungle.
