[caption id="attachment_129216" align="aligncenter" width="498" caption="From left to right: Usui, Kaji, Wada, Suzuki, and Yanagi"][/caption]

Starting in late April, acting group D-Boys will be performing Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" on stage. A promotional event was held on February 21st, where the cast spoke to the press about the upcoming production.

Member Masato Wada (31) expressed that while they "feel almost crushed by the anxiety and pressure", he hopes that they can showcase their skills as actors.

Wada plays one of the male leads, along with Masaki Kaji (23) and Hiroki Suzuki (27). Like the Shakespearean productions of old, the female leads will also be played by male actors, with Masahiro Usui (19) and sub-leader Kotaro Yanagi (25) donning wigs and makeup for their roles.

When asked about which "girl" he preferred, Wada hugged Usui and answered,�"Definitely this one. Yanagi is more like a young girl. I prefer a woman with a more mature vibe."

The D-Boys have participated in plays and musicals in the past, but this is the first time for them to attempt a Shakespearean work.

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Source & Photo: Nikkan Sports