On April 18, 2026, the new comedy 「DURIAN DURIAN」 (Durian Durian) officially opens—and its star declares, “You are about to witness history.”
The production, which 開幕 (kaimaku, opens) at I’M A SHOW in Tokyo, marks the first time drag queen Dorian Lollobrigida takes on the 主演 (shuen, starring role) in a stage play. Performances run through April 26, with a total runtime of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Dorian Lollobrigida’s First Starring Stage Role
Dorian Lollobrigida is a drag queen with a 20-year career. In recent years, Dorian has expanded into mainstream entertainment, serving as MC for Netflix’s 「ボーイフレンド」 (Bōifurendo, “Boyfriend”) and working as an actor as well.
In this new production, Dorian 〜を務める (tsutomeru, serves as) the lead performer. The script and direction are 手がける (tegakeru, handled) by Murakado Taiyō of THE ROB CARLTON.
The play unfolds as a situation comedy set in the glamorous fashion industry. In Japanese, the article says the story 展開する (tenkai suru, unfolds/develops) in that sparkling world—suggesting fast-paced, stylish humor built around character interactions.
Other cast members include:
- Raida
- Kamisato Yūki
- Murakado Daichi (also of THE ROB CARLTON)
- Iwase Ryō
- Iihara Ryōya (from the group Dow 90000)
“You Are About to Witness History”
At the occasion of the opening—開幕に際し (kaimaku ni saishi, on the occasion of the opening)—Dorian shared an emotional comment:
「とうとう明日からドリアン・ドリアンが開幕いたします。」 Toutou ashita kara Durian Durian ga kaimaku itashimasu. “At last, starting tomorrow, Durian Durian will open.”
The word とうとう (toutou) carries emotional weight. It means “finally” or “at long last,” often implying a sense of anticipation or relief after waiting.
Dorian continued:
「見た人の背中をポッと優しく押してくれる、そんな作品になると思います。」 Mita hito no senaka o potto yasashiku oshite kureru, sonna sakuhin ni naru to omoimasu. “I believe this will be the kind of work that gently gives the audience a soft push in the back.”
The adverb ポッと (potto) is onomatopoeia. It suggests something warm and gentle—like a small flame lighting up, or a sudden blush. Here, it describes a subtle, heartfelt encouragement.
Dorian ended with:
「私の初主演をぜひ見守っていただければ幸いです。あなたは歴史の目撃者になる！」 Watashi no hatsu shuen o zehi mimamotte itadakereba saiwai desu. Anata wa rekishi no mokugekisha ni naru! “I would be so happy if you would warmly watch over my first starring role. You are about to become a witness to history!”
The verb 見守る (mimamoru) means “to watch over” or “to support warmly,” often used when cheering someone on from the sidelines.
Cultural Context: Drag and Mainstream Japanese Theater
Drag performance in Japan has a long and complex history, from traditional onnagata (male kabuki actors playing female roles) to modern drag queens who blend fashion, comedy, and social commentary.
Dorian Lollobrigida represents a new generation of performers who move fluidly between LGBTQ+ performance spaces and mainstream media. Taking on a 主演 (shuen) role in a theater production signals both artistic recognition and growing visibility.
The phrase “You are about to witness history” isn’t just promotional flair—it reflects how significant this moment feels within Japan’s entertainment landscape.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Let’s break down key vocabulary and grammar you can start using right away.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 開幕 | kaimaku | opening (of a show or event) |
| 主演 | shuen | starring role |
| 手がける | tegakeru | to handle; to produce; to work on |
| 展開する | tenkai suru | to unfold; to develop |
| とうとう | toutou | finally; at last (with emotion) |
| ポッと | potto | softly; gently; suddenly (warm nuance) |
| 見守る | mimamoru | to watch over; to support warmly |
| 開幕に際し | kaimaku ni saishi | on the occasion of the opening |
Grammar Spotlight
1. 〜を務める (〜をつとめる)
Meaning: To serve as; to take on a role.
Structure: [Role/Position] + を務める
Example from this article:
- ドリアンが主演を務める。 Dorian ga shuen o tsutomeru. “Dorian serves as the lead actor.”
More examples:
- 司会を務めます。 Shikai o tsutomemasu. “I will serve as the host.”
- 部長を務めています。 Buchō o tsutomete imasu. “I serve as department manager.”
You’ll see this often in entertainment news.
2. 〜に際し (〜にさいし)
Meaning: On the occasion of; at the time of (formal expression)
Structure: [Event] + に際し
Example from this article:
- 開幕に際し、コメントを発表した。 Kaimaku ni saishi, komento o happyō shita. “On the occasion of the opening, a comment was released.”
This expression appears frequently in formal announcements, speeches, and news writing.
Useful Expression
- あなたは歴史の目撃者になる！ Anata wa rekishi no mokugekisha ni naru! “You are about to witness history!”
Powerful, dramatic, and very promotional—perfect for headlines and stage announcements.
Continue Learning
Working on your reading skills? These lessons will help you go deeper:
- Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese
- Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script
- Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
The more you read real entertainment news like this, the more natural Japanese expressions—like とうとう (toutou) and 見守る (mimamoru)—start to feel intuitive rather than translated.
And who knows? One day, you might read a headline and understand it instantly—no dictionary needed.
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.