Tetsu has written it here before. The work of SDB has also another special meaning for me.
That reason is Leslie Cheung, who was the big star of the world.
Today I talk about my feeling about Leslie and the connection between Leslie and SDB.

I was invited to Leslie's concert at the Kokusai International Forum in January in 2001.
I sat next to Mr. Papaya. It is said that was being done intentionally. The producer of SDB was also the person in charge of Leslie. It seems that he already talked to Leslie about Mr. Papaya and me.
He introduced us to Leslie at Leslie's dressing room after the concert.
Next day I was invited to Osaka by the producer, and he asked me if I wanted to dance at Leslie's final concert in April?
The producer talked with his collaborator in front of me: "But if he performs at Hong Kong Coliseum suddenly, no one knows him..."
"That's true... so he must perform before April!". After this conversation, they decide I had to go to Hong Kong in a hurry in March and shot a MV of Leslie's new song.

Leslie directed by himself and gave various instructions. A tense atmosphere could be felt everywhere while he shot the video.
Then, next month, Leslie's final concert was held in Hong Kong. I danced two songs there. One song of them was 'Dreaming Of The Inner River' of MV. This song was very successful in Hong Kong: I remember when I was walking in the city many people called me 'MTV Boy'.

Seating capacity of Hong Kong Coliseum is 9000 and there were 6 concerts.
I remember the audience's reaction when I went on the stage and audience's scream when I performed holding Leslie from behind.
I felt a sensation that I've never tasted before.
Leslie was really a perfectionist about everything, not only when he shot the video but also when he arranged all with staffs at the time of the concert. And he was very strict toward himself more than anyone else.

The idea of SDB comes out in the concert, after I returned to Japan, the project proceeds rapidly with Mr. Papaya.
We performed 2 stages at Art Sphere in September.
The day of the performance was the same day of Leslie's birthday, so I danced "Dreaming of the Inner River".
While I was dancing I enjoyed it very much and I was remembering Hong Kong memories.
After the stage, I phoned to Leslie to talk about my performance. When he came to Japan, we watched the video of SDB together.
In Hong Kong, after the concert, everyday he took all to dinner, went to shopping at the afternoon, invited me to his house... When he came to Japan in private, he asked me to dinner and to shopping many times, we had a wonderful time together.
During those days, I touched Leslie's excellent humanity, sensibility and kindness, I learned many things from one human being and artist called Leslie Cheung.
Last year Leslie said to me, "I will come and see your stage with my niece and her husband because of cherry blossom season".
However, a night on April 1, the sad unbelievable news suddenly came by the manager ...
I can't remember of that night. The rehearsal of SDB from the next day was really hard for me. I remember that cherry blossoms near the training room were very beautiful.

At the last stage which became 'The final', I decided to dance "Dreaming of the Inner River".
Every time I think of SDB, I recall Leslie, so I want to try to send a message to him without hesitations.
It will be like mourning to Leslie or like a Christmas gift to him, since he said that he liked very much the Christmas in Tokyo.
Therefore, it would be very reassuring if the audience know about my feelings and would like to share them with me.
I would feel happy if everyone can become one with "Dreaming Of the Inner River".

I am sorry, Tetsu. I talked too long. However, SDB is a marvellously cheerful and fun stage, so I will give my best believing that Leslie will be with us and and will enjoy the show together. I will give a great performace to the audience too. This is the final performance and I will dance with gratitude. OK, I will return to the rehearsal again.

from Nishijima!

Super Dance Battle will be performed in Tokyo from December 21, 2004 to January 17, 2005

kindly translated by Franny for Leslie Cheung Forever and Soko - source and pictures: Super Dance Battle Diary

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