"Comedy Revolution" Play - Downtown, Yamasaki, Endo

[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/3l2FUIk.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/vgyTn2Z.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/3SDNIaF.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Comedy Revolution Anti-Yoshimoto (アンチ吉本・お笑いレボリューション)[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

http://www.yoshimoto.co.jp/100th/monogatari/

As mentioned in episode #1141 of Gaki no Tsukai there is this play currently running from February 5th - March 2nd 2013 that apparently portrays an early part of Downtown’s career and the studio building Block 2 (2丁目) (or maybe its Street 2?) which many young comedians got their start from. From what I can gather perhaps the play is about the trials and tribulations of the rising stars and the drive for new talent. I wonder what the relationship is between Mr Osaki (大崎洋) and Downtown? For anyone who can read Japanese here is Hiroshi Osaki’s Wiki page, seems to talk about his connection with Downtown and an exchange between him and Matsumoto:
[url=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B4%8E%E6%B4%8B:1wdbsk54]Wiki Link[/url:1wdbsk54]

[color=#BF4000:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]If anyone can give a more accurate idea of the play and history of 2丁目/Downtown etc. please do share! Any clips, photos or related videos would be awesome to find too![/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Summary[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

In 1985 a comic boom leaves young people yearning for the world of comedy who gather at the NSC "New Star Creation" (founded at the General Yoshimoto School of Performing Arts). Many young comedians alongside Hamada Masatoshi and Matsumoto Hitoshi as "Downtown", were drawn to the theater and stage building 2丁目, Shinsaibashi. The dawn of a new era for comedy.

Responsible for the centerpiece of the story, Tsukitei Hosei plays Mr Osaki, offering an insight into the early talent of Downtown. Endo Shozo (Cocorico) in the role of Kano, offers hilarious comedy relief. In addition two actors will impersonate the roles of Matsumoto and Hamada. Plus a variety of enthusiastic faces will be present such as Natsumi Ogawa, Wacky, Kajiwara Yuta etc. Valuable footage from 2丁目 screened at the time will also liven up the play.

[color=#0040FF:1wdbsk54]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color:1wdbsk54]

[b:1wdbsk54]Below is info derived from Google translating various articles and Wiki pages relating to Downtown and 2丁目, dunno if all this is in the play though and [/b:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54][color=#FF0000:1wdbsk54]its probably not accurate since its machine translated[/color:1wdbsk54][/b:1wdbsk54].

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Cast[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Chou Tamiyasu as Matsumoto Hitoshi
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/pMv6uYb.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

Hazama Shintaro as Hamada Masatoshi[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/Mb0kbAx.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

In 1979 as the lease was expiring on a Yoshimoto studio building a new rental agreement for the weekdays was made for a group of Yoshimoto Performing Arts Academy students under the NSC "New Star Creation" banner, a rookie talent training school which Downtown was part of. They later graduated in 1983 and became employees in charge of the NSC. [b:1wdbsk54][color=#FF0000:1wdbsk54]((** This next bit doesnt translate well at all via machine so take it with a heavy grain of salt **)) [/color:1wdbsk54][/b:1wdbsk54]Throughout 1984 with the NSC they experimented with putting on different acts with an easy to understand concept (possibly as a different take on the comedy found at [url=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%86%E3%82%81%E3%81%A0%E8%8A%B1%E6%9C%88:1wdbsk54]"Kagetsu" basement theater[/url:1wdbsk54]). By 1985 the Kagetsu audience boom seemed to have passed, "attention was low for Downtown". Hiroshi Osaki as manager sought new talent for the establishment. In 1986 "Nanhai Yoshimoto" funded a big renovation of the studio, audiences grew and as many as 1,000 people came. In 1987 they broadcasted from the theater in the evenings via MBS their program 「4時ですよーだ」 (It is 4:00 Yo) and grew in popularity as idols. By 1988 Downtown gained tremendous popularity in the Kansai area and were widening their reach to Tokyo appearing live at 2丁目 as a stepping stone.

Source: Downtown’s Wikipedia Page

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Yamasaki (Tsukitei) Hosei as Mr Osaki[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/9ZWSGIr.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

In October 1985, in order to discover the next generation of young comedians in addition to Downtown (at that time, employees in charge of the NSC), Hiroshi Osaki acted as the planner and handled the configuration of "Expedition Comedy Shinsaibashi Osaka" (October 1985 radio program calling for auditions). In March 1986 the program started and from this a number of young comedians were discovered such as Koji Higashino.

(Note: Though he plays the manager here, it seems that Yamasaki was at one time at the studio theatre as one of the comedy acts too).

Source: 2丁目 Wikipedia Page

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Endo Shozo as Kano[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/EmPTpgV.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

I believe this is an original comedy relief character produced just for the play? Kano is a "Yoshimoto employee" possibly working alongside the role of Mr Osaki in directing organisation of the program.

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Natsumi Ogawa (Hamada’s Wife) as Original Character[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/vJeJrMx.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

A teacher and director of the students.

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Wacky as Shiro Izumi[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/MdUx8FI.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

An amusing and fun dance teacher for the students.

Many more listed here:

http://www.yoshimoto.co.jp/100th/monoga ... y/cast.php

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]2丁目 Theater Building[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/yjY3gKJ.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

Located in Osaka it opened its doors in 1963 and being rented by the Yoshimoto company it seems it was a space for young rakugo storytellers and other talent "above the NHK(?)". When the lease was to run out in 1979 a new agreement was made for the weekdays only, allowing studio space for Yoshimoto academy students under the "New Star Creation" group, which was later headed by Downtown. In 1985 new management from Hiroshi Osaki created a new program "Comedy Shinsaibashi" calling for auditions to bring in new talent, creating a springboard for a number of young comedians. In 1986 a 20 million yen refurbishment project was put forward via "Nanhai Yoshimoto" and was formally re-opened as "2丁目, Shinsaibashi" offering a number of performances to large audiences. By 1999 "Bill Yoshimoto" and the aging of the construction dissolved the establishment. MBS broadcast a special program and "It is Yo Downtown" celebrating 2丁目 and to say goodbye. March 31st 1999 the building was closed down putting an end to 13 years of history.

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Videos[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[hide:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Yoshimoto Centennial Story! Theatre of Youth 2-chome[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/LQXx6z6.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/P6es8e5.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/cjS7C3v.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/Qma3qQQ.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
Yamasaki and Endo visit the location and general area where the 2丁目 building once stood. Then they eat and talk with various comedians who had been acts there. They discuss their experiences and about Downtown. They show various clips of the stage show. Plus early 2丁目 studio footage of Downtown, Yamasaki and many other acts.

Full Episode (Split File):

http://www32.zippyshare.com/v/41263335/file.html http://www32.zippyshare.com/v/79653429/file.html

Source:

http://video.fc2.com/en/content/20130210QpBCmTrh/

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]Yamasaki promoting the stage show[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/CFzUKuf.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... Vzs#t=246s

[b:1wdbsk54][color=#008000:1wdbsk54]An advert for the stage show[/b:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt_VV0TKiZE[/hide:1wdbsk54]

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Promotional Images[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]

Standup poster posted by Hamada’s wife on their Twitter:

https://twitter.com/natsu_mi1230/status ... 9703221249

More images:
[hide:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/YI5pynX.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/FptW6dz.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/bjAOHp1.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/gvgpWwm.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/jRM2ppI.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/usUSnPK.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/6G8unFN.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/2eQ8ITM.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/ff1onts.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/bURktUh.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]http://i.imgur.com/4U53QE0.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][/hide:1wdbsk54]

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Backstage Photos[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
Yamasaki has recently been active on his Twitter posting what I believe to be random backstage photos of Endo and the rest of the cast.

[hide:1wdbsk54][img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCu_nuZCUAAw_Qx.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCpo5GKCMAA3gia.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCeuH_2CYAApQue.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCesVArCIAAQD5O.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCesF_ACcAAxcQ2.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCVXd1kCQAAnUsG.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCVXNmTCIAAkIr0.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54]
[img:1wdbsk54]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCUi9VnCEAATpVJ.jpg[/img:1wdbsk54][/hide:1wdbsk54]

[color=#800080:1wdbsk54][size=150:1wdbsk54][b:1wdbsk54]Sources:[/b:1wdbsk54][/size:1wdbsk54][/color:1wdbsk54]
[hide:1wdbsk54][url=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BF%83%E6%96%8E%E6%A9%8B%E7%AD%8B2%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%E5%8A%87%E5%A0%B4:1wdbsk54]2丁目 Wiki page[/url:1wdbsk54]

[url=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%80%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3_%28%E3%81%8A%E7%AC%91%E3%81%84%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%93%29#.E7.B5.8C.E6.AD.B4:1wdbsk54]Downtown's early career history Wiki section[/url:1wdbsk54]

[url=http://monogatari.laff.jp/special/2/:1wdbsk54]Interviews with the cast[/url:1wdbsk54]

[url=http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20130204-00000004-natalieo-ent:1wdbsk54]Endo Talking about his character[/url:1wdbsk54]

[url=http://yoshimotonews.laff.jp/news/2013/02/2-1999.html:1wdbsk54]News Article[/url:1wdbsk54]

[url=http://www.theaterguide.co.jp/theater_news/2013/02/06_05.php:1wdbsk54]News & Comments From the Actors[/url:1wdbsk54][/hide:1wdbsk54]

I wonder if they would make a dvd out of this

[quote="grindorth":3v9s40x2]I wonder if they would make a dvd out of this[/quote:3v9s40x2]

Hopefully. I assume using cameras is prohibited in the theatre so that’d likely be the only way to see it outside Japan other than the promo clips already shown.

Some more promo ads posted to Yoshimoto’s Youtube channel.

[hide:3v9s40x2]This has actually been uploaded about 4 times on their Youtube channel with only the last line changed I think.

[video:3v9s40x2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A8dRX2MJmI[/video:3v9s40x2]

The others:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjtSlrHXFps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPkexw8qwY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGYkPLXN7BM

An advert compiling together all the stage shows that are part of the Yoshimoto 100 Years Anniversary celebration. The Downtown one is at about 53 seconds in (only very brief).

[video:3v9s40x2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZGwXKRHgm4[/video:3v9s40x2][/hide:3v9s40x2]

[size=150:3v9s40x2][b:3v9s40x2]EDIT: 03/03/2013[/b:3v9s40x2][/size:3v9s40x2]

The show has ended its run. Here’s a final celebratory group pic Yamasaki posted to his Twitter:
[img:3v9s40x2]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEaXpWlCIAAdQqP.jpg[/img:3v9s40x2]

Oh and this seems to be Natsumi Ogawa’s (Hamada’s wife) Twitter:

https://twitter.com/natsu_mi1230

There are great photos ;)

Hamada’s wife - Blog :

http://tabasa7.laff.jp/blog/2013/03/post-180a.html

Just Photos (twitter and blog) - Hamada’s wife :

http://photo.matomill.com/author=%E5%B0 ... %98&page=1

got a new profile pic thanks @calobest

I like your avatar ;)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... tif_t=like

I see that you have good to look my links :D

It looks like the cast got together for a DVD screening yesterday at Hamada’s house (the post on Natsumi’s blog includes photos).

http://tabasa7.laff.jp/blog/2013/07/post-47f6.html