Akiho Yoshizawa: Leona in Hoshimori no Slum

A live acting assignment after her screen career.

The 2021 production

Hoshimori no Slum was announced for 27 May to 1 June 2021 at the small theatre of Musashino Performing Arts Theatre in Tokyo. Originally planned for 2020, it had been postponed during the pandemic. Yoshizawa later described it as her theatre debut.

Rehearsing without a finished set

Before opening, she described rehearsing scenes without a set and using imagination to build the setting with fellow cast members. The concentration demanded by rehearsals was new to her. She later noted that stage work required a different approach to projecting her voice from filmed performances.

The fictional character Leona

Yoshizawa described Leona as spirited and determined to keep hope. In the story, Leona is held captive by Hao and becomes a source of comfort for another captive, Su. She wanted a scene recalling happier days to offer a quiet moment within the tense story.