１２月１６日（土曜日）２０２３
１２月９日（土）の彦根市みずほ文化センターでのロネ＆ジージのビッグイヤーズショーが満席、当日券も売り切れで終演しました。
実は９月末〜１０月にかけてのインドツアーの最中、ロネがステージから落下という信じられない事故で大怪我を負い、痛々しい姿で日本に帰国し、半月後には京都と多賀でのライブが待っていました。事情を知るものはどうなることかとヒヤヒヤドキドキで舞台を見守りました。演出で少しの変更はありましたがステージをご覧になった方は知らされるまではそのことに全く気づかないほど、立派で素晴らしいものでした。
その後次回の公演のために東京で稽古をしている最中、今度は相方のジージが左足を骨折するという事態が発生。しばらくは車椅子と松葉杖の生活。体を張って全力で仕事をするクラウンにとって、それがどれほど深刻な状況であるか容易に察しがつきます。
１１月２３日の東近江市あかねホールでの公演はクオリティの低いものは見せられないと苦渋の決断で中止。続く１２月のみずほ文化センターでの公演はどうなるのかと誰もが息を呑む中、ロネジジの二人は滋賀にやってきました。ロネは右肋骨３本が折れた後まだ接合していないらしく、膝の捻挫も回復が遅れているとのこと。ジージは松葉杖ではありませんでしたが、ギプスと杖で私の前に現れました。「骨折コンビ」などと笑っていましたが、何としてもステージに立つとの決意はプロ魂そのもの。万全の対策をこうじて、９日のみずほ文化センターでの公演日を迎えました。
朝からロネジジたちに密着し見てきた一部を紹介します。
体調悪くして遅れて彦根入りしたマギーと合流後、ホールに９時到着。機材搬入と設置。その後ロネの指示による念入りな音響チェック。１１時から１２時１０分まで場当たりのリハ。この時、ジージは杖をついてのステージ。ロネの右肩をジージは触らないと約束。１３時半までにメイク、衣装完了。１４時マギーの元気なMCで開演。客席は超満員。ワクワクする音楽で幕が上がるとそこには大きな耳と赤い鼻のロネとジージ。数秒もしないうちに子供達の歓声と観客の笑い声が会場に響く。あれ？太っちょジージが足を引きずらないで歩いてる！ロネが右肩を動かし、手を上げてる！負担のかかるフェンスのエスカレーターの動きもしてる！軽妙なボールのジャグリング、クラブやカップも二人でやってる！ロネのマジックにみんな感心してる...... 何度見ても二人の絶妙なタイミングと技に笑ってしまう。しかし舞台の二人はそれぞれ骨折しているのが現実です。お客は大喜びで笑いと拍手を送っている。この両方を見ている私は胸が熱くなり言葉にならない思いでした。
さて、長くなりましたが、ロネとジージの相次ぐ怪我によるクラウンの危機が容赦なく押し寄せてきています。皆様のご支援がいただければと心から願っております。
https://roneandgigi.com/
The Big Ears Show by Clown RONE & Gigi was held at Mizuho Cultural Center in Hikone and was successfully over with fully occupied people.
As a matter of fact, there was a big accident in the International Clown Festival in India in late September. RONE fell down from the 6.6 foot stage during their show. She had severe damage in her body such as bruises all over the body, multiple rib fractures, both knee sprains. She came back to Japan with a painful appearance but Rone & Gigi had several appointments for their shows in Kyoto and Shiga in 40 days. Only a few related people knew about the accident and worried about her very much, but Rone & Gigi finished their four amazing stage performances.
They
were expected to perform their show on Nov.23rd at Higashi Ohmi in
Shiga, but they didn't want to perform with a lower level of quality
than usual. After deep thinking, Rone & Gigi decided not to be on
the stage. However, they also had a performance scheduled in Hikone in
Dec. and they didn't cancel it. Rone and Gigi came to Shiga as
scheduled. Rone's three rib bones hadn't joined yet and her two knee
sprains hadn't healed yet, Gigi appeared with a cane on her left foot
and holding stick. They laughed at me saying "we are fracture clowns' ',
but I was very much impressed by their professionalism.
As I attended with them on their performing day at Hikone, I will write about what they did on that day.
Picking up assistant Maggie at the hotel because she came late to Hikone and stayed there because she was not feeling well, we arrived at the event hall at 9 am. After installation of the sound equipment and sound check by Rone and Maggie, They did the spot rehearsal on the stage for about an hour. At this time, Gigi used a stick when she walked on the stage and she agreed with Rone that she wouldn't touch Rone's right shoulder area. By 1:30 Rone & Gigi finished clown makeup and were wearing costumes. At 2pm, the Big Ears Show started with Maggie's cheerful MC and joyful music. The hall was completely full. Rone & Gigi appeared on the stage and within seconds kids sent cheers and people laughed. I was very surprised to see the two clowns on the stage because Gigi walked normally and Rone lifted her right shoulder and raised her hands! I know there are several scenes which required tough movement for the injured clowns but they were getting a big laugh and applause showing their clowning, juggling with several tools, and Rone's funny magic. Thinking of their real body condition, I was watching the big reaction from the audience. My heart was filled with emotion.
Well, as I explained, "Fracture Rone & Gigi " love being clowns very much and are doing their best now. However, they are actually facing a financial crisis due to their injury. I would like to say as a friend of R & G, I would be happy if you could support them. Thank you so much.
https://roneandgigi.com/emergency2024/6545/
