We Speak Actors
From Britain’s Got Talent to Bollywood: Emiko Ishii finds success in acting, dancing and choreography
British-born actor, action performer,dancer and choreographer Emiko Ishii was once told by her theatrical agent that there were no roles for Japanese actors. But she’s proved them wrong with her vibrant and multi-stranded career, which has included critically acclaimed theatre, action movies and Bollywood films. She’s also a professional dancer and choreographer, and owns her own company, Epika Dance, a troupe that fuses Indian and Japanese dance, hip hop and martial arts. She says: “I want to represent the beauty of global dance to a wider audience.”
Tell us about your role in the play ‘The Mistake’?
“‘It’s one of the most exciting and challenging roles that I’ve had, playing multiple characters.It’s an urgent play about the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was written by Michael Mears, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and then completed two runs at London’s Arcola Theatre by popular demand, receiving 4-star reviews from The Times and The Scotsman.”
You’re also a great dancer and have danced in movies, as well as at high-profile events?
“‘Mad About Dance’was my debut as an actress in a Bollywood feature film. It was a dream to be able to combine both Indian dance and acting in this role. I have 18 years of professional dance experience as a performer, choreographer and qualified instructor. “
“With Threebee Dance, I was a semi-finalist in ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Then, in 2012, I was part of the choreographic team, assistant dance captain and featured dancer at the London Olympics opening ceremony.”
“Bring on the Bollywood UK Tour pushed me in another way, combining different styles of Indian dancing, singing and acting. I’ve appeared in film, TV, theatre, fashion shows and award shows in the UK and abroad, including the Asian Achievers Awards, Antalya Film Festival , Olivier Awards, Comic Relief, National Lottery Live; and Cannes Film Festival.”
How do you combine this with choreography work?
“Choreography was a natural progression for me from all the disciplines that I do, including dance, acting and martial arts. I love being creatively challenged. Fulfilling the vision of each project is unique, so the choreography should reflect this and elevate the overall piece. I’ve also incorporated all my disciplines through my international Bollywood company, Epika Dance.”
What was your first acting experience?
“I was born and raised in the UK. I was very shy and quiet as a child – I couldn’t even look people in the eye. When I was 13 years old, I was given the opportunity to play the first witch in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Titania in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in my school play. I stood on the stage feeling comfortable and confident. From that moment, I knew acting was my calling.”
How did you get into the industry?
“I joined a local performing arts agency to kickstart my acting and dance career. I also trained in different forms of martial arts to expand my range in acting. After a year I was told by the agency that there were no roles for Japanese girls. I believe in never giving up on your goals and dreams. Being Japanese, I wanted to be an actress who connects people by understanding their history, culture and sentiment. Prior to pursuing my career in acting, I went to King’s College University London to read film, American history and literature, as my overachieving Asian parents wanted me to get a real job as a third AD on a major feature film… but I rebelled and took a role as an actress in a Bollywood feature instead – the rest is history!”
Who has inspired you to follow your dreams?
“My parents have always inspired me, showing that hard work, honesty and passion always pays off. My great aunt, Machiko Soga, was an actress in Japan and she taught me to always be myself and to fight for my dreams, as she has. “
“Doing basic military training for four years has given me the mental and physical endurance to tackle any obstacle, as well as the value of teamwork.”
My gurus and senseis in dance and martial arts have also played a huge role in training me to face any challenge head-on.”
Featured photo credit: Adam Hills
We Speak Actors
Chris Lemmon, Son of Legendary Actor Jack Lemmon Guests On Harvey Brownstone Interviews
Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth Interview with Chris Lemmon, Son of Legendary Actor, Jack Lemmon, Actor & Author, “A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father”.
Chris Lemmon is an actor, producer and author who’s appeared in many movies including “Airport ‘77”, “Seems Like Old Times”, “Uncommon Valor”, “Swing Shift”, “Cannonball Run 2”, “Weekend Warrior”, “Lena’s Holiday”, “Roe vs Wade”, and 2 very special movies, “That’s Life” and “Dad”, in which he appeared with his legendary father, 2-time Academy Award winner Jack Lemmon, who’s been immortalized in movies like “Mr. Roberts”, “Save the Tiger”, “The Apartment”, “Irma LaDouce”, “The Odd Couple”, “The China Syndrome”, “Glengarry Glen Ross”, and of course, the greatest comedy film of all time, “Some Like it Hot”.
In fact, our guest portrayed his father in a re-enactment of his time on the set of “Some Like it Hot”, in the Marilyn Monroe biopic, “Blonde”.
On television, our guest has brought us many memorable roles including “Checko” in “Brothers and Sisters”, “Richard Philips” in “Duet” and “Open House”, “Jeff Cameron” in “Knots Landing”, and “Martin Brubaker”, better known as “Bru”, in “Thunder in Paradise”. On the stage, he’s starred in “Barefoot in the Park”, “Shay”, “Love Letters”, and his highly acclaimed one-man show “Twist of Lemmon”, based on his best-selling, highly compelling and heartwarming 2006 memoir entitled, “A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to my Father”.
He also wrote, produced and hosted the wonderful documentary film, “Magic Time”, which is all about the brilliant artistry of Jack Lemmon.
Harvey Brownstone is a retired judge of the Ontario Court of Justice and was the first openly gay judge in Canada. He is also the bestselling author of “Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court” and hosted “Family Matters with Justice Harvey Brownstone,” a television talk show on matters involving the family justice system.
After a distinguished legal career, Harvey was appointed a judge at the age of 38 in 1995. He has presided in family and criminal courts. He has been a trailblazer in several ways. He was the first openly gay judge in Canada. He was the first sitting judge in the world to write a national best seller and to host a TV talk show.
Harvey has been a role model and icon in the LGBTQ community. When same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada in 2003, he was the only judge to make himself publicly available to officiate at weddings for lesbian and gay couples travelling to Toronto from all over the world to get married. In 2007, he officiated at the wedding of Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer, the American couple whose marriage triggered the 2013 United States Supreme Court decision overturning the definition of “spouse” in the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
In February 2021, Harvey launched his online talk show “Harvey Brownstone Interviews” on his own YouTube channel. He saw this as an interesting hobby. Within several months, the show attracted hundreds of thousands – and then eventually, millions – of viewers. Because of the overwhelming success of the show, Harvey decided to retire from the judiciary on December 31, 2021 after having presided as a full-time judge for 26 1/2 years. Free from the constraints imposed upon judges regarding the expression of opinions and the endorsement of private enterprise, Harvey now happily devotes his full-time attention to hosting “Harvey Brownstone Interviews” as a regular member of the public – albeit one with a rather illustrious and unique career history.
Watch Chris Lemmon on Harvey Brownstone Interviews on Youtube here:
The official website for Harvey Brownstone Interviews may be found at https://www.harveybrownstoneinterviews.com
Get “The Talk Show Blend” – Coffee For The Modern Day Trailblazer! By Harvey Brownstone from Breakfast At Dominique’s available at https://www.HollywoodBlends.com
For more information about Harvey Brownstone, here’s his Wikipedia page:
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