PUCK!

Jeez... I’ve done it again! I’ve abandoned my blog for months on end L

I always tell myself I need to find time to write here, but it’s much harder than it seems. Actually I’ve been so busy I’ve had very little time to watch Zuka – though I have watched some, of course.

At any rate, today I feel the urge of recommending and praising a show which has bewitched me in the past couple of months…

PUCK

Please be warned: there might be spoilers!

Puck was staged by the moon troupe in ’92. The top star at the time was Suzukaze Mayo (whom I ranked 5^th in my previous post). Thanks to this show I have come to love Suzukaze Mayo even more than I did before: her acting is so meticulous and at the same time natural! Not to mention her incredible singing.

Anyway, back to the show.

Puck is loosely based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night Dream but the whole focus is on Puck, a cute but somehow clumsy and mischevious fairy, and the way he interacts with a group of humans, in particular a girl called Hermia. There are several sub-plots and interesting characters, such as the king and queen of fairies or the rock-star-to-be Bobby played by Amami Yuki.

The show has both really funny and really moving scenes and is particularly interesting because of the evolution of the main character. At the beginning Puck is just a newborn fairy who knows nothing of the world, innocent and perky. As the show goes on, Puck evolves slowly but continuously, grows into awareness while going through different emotional stages. Honestly, I think that playing such a character must be very difficult and Suzukaze Mayo is so good! She honestly made my heart melt.

Amami Yuki is also really good in this funny role, she made me laugh really hard!

The show was also somehow really original… let’s just mention a pair of roller skates and moving donkey ears!

This show is DEINITELY a must see!

I usually just post links to bits of shows, but I'll just go ahead and post the link to the full show this time.
I know that some people think this is not right, but here's what I think: if there had not been online videos I would not have become a Takarazuka fan and I would not have supported Takarazuka by going to the theatre and buying a bashful amount of goods XD

So, here is the link to the show! Enjoy!

Versailles' roses bloom (ベルサイユのバラが咲く)

I found out about Takarazuka while looking for The Rose of Versailles anime videos on YouTube.

I stumbled upon a 1989 Takarazuka version of it and fell in love.

Since then, I have always wanted to see The Rose of Versailles live.

My dream's come true (twice)! (^___^)

On January 14th and February 3rd I went to Takarazuka to watch the Moon troupe version of The Rose of Versailles -Oscar & André.

Actually, I didn't have tickets for it: I was planning to buy them, but didn't make it.

So I went there and bought standing tickets, which can only be bought on the day of the show. I was afraid that they would also be sold out, but they weren't! Actually, I understand that they sell about a hundred of those, so if you get there by 10am (or even slightly later) you can almost be sure you'll get one - at least, that's how it went for me both times.

The first time I had a student discount and only payed 1000 yen! That was not possible the second time, though, so I had to pay 2500 yen (which still sounds reasonable to me). Apparently the student discount is available only for certain shows and on certain days.

From the standing seats you get a pretty good view of the whole stage, a lot better than I thought. It is impossible, though, to see the faces and clothes in detail.

So I rented the opera glasses: they are 500yen plus you have to give 5000yen (which will be given back to you once you return the opera glasses) as a deposit. Using those I was able to see the actresses' faces better than when sitting on an S seat.

If you want to watch a Takarazuka show but have no tickets, I advise you to do as I did: it's totally worth it.

Both times Oscar was played by Ryu Masaki and André by Asumi Rio. I didn't get to watch the inverted roles version (Ryu Masaki as André and Asumi Rio as Oscar) or the versions in which Ranju Tomu (flower troupe top star) or So Kazuho (new snow troupe top star) played André.

I guess it's a pity, but at the same time when I first see a certain person in one role then I don't like to change. I end up associating that face to that character and seeing somebody else playing it feels a little bit weird.

At any rate: the show was really really really (really!) good. I always thought that it was over-the-top, over done, over rated (though lovely) and maybe even a bit ridiculous... but I ended up being moved to tears: I didn't actually cry, but the tears were there, lurking underneath my eyelids.

It was actually also the first time I saw a show starring Ryu Masaki and Asumi Rio, and I liked them both. They both have great voices and Masa's face is so delicate, she made a perfect Oscar.

I won't say anything else, just in case: I don't want to spoiler this for anybody. If you have any questions or want to know any details (or want to share and compare opinions) feel free to comment! I would actually enjoy that.

Both times I went with friends who had never been to Takarazuka before. It seems that they liked it and that makes me happy :D

We also went to the special Rose of Versailles exposition that was held in the Bow Hall and to the Petit Museum, in which were exposed the Romeo & Juliette clothes & props plus some other things.

I spent those two days feeling as if I were in heaven... no wonder above the entrance to the theater they have written "PARADISE"!

Last time I went to Takarazuka I didn't like the food, though it was pretty (but the taste...!!!)

This time I found a place that was great! Close to the Bow Hall, on the second floor, there is a old-fashioned tea-shop which has delicious high tea and rose tea. If you go to Takarazuka, that's where I advise you to eat ;)

Anyway, enough said! I'll upload some pics :)

Cheers!

P.S.: there's a picture of Masa... though it's almost impossible to tell it's her. I wish that 'Ziennes wouldn't wear scarves, glasses and hats all at once when they exit the theatre... sigh!

VIDEOS: Roméo & Juliette

I have been thinking for a while about whether I should post link to videos of full shows or not.

On one side, I know it would be helpful to all those who want to learn more about Zuka but don't have much money to invest in it (besides, I would be a hypocrite if I said I don't watch shows in streaming).

On the other side, I know it is not fair towards the actresses and the industry.

If I had never had the chance of watching shows online, I would never have known much about Takarazuka. The DVDs are way too expensive to buy them on a whim, without being sure that you'll actually like the show. Besides, I think that most people (such as myself) don't have enough money to buy all the shows they wish to watch.

So, I have decided to publish the links to the shows.

I want to believe that all those who are interested in Zuka want the industry to prosper and wish to be fair to the Takarasiennes and all other people who work towards the success of the shows.

Therefore, please let me give you just one little piece of advice: even if you watch the shows online, please try to support our beloved 'siennes as best as you can. Set yourself a budget, watch the shows you are interested in and then pick your favourites. Please buy the DVDs at least for those.

Since it's the first show I have written about in this blog, I think that it would be a good option to start with the links to the videos of the Roméo & Juliette shows.

Star troupe version:

part 1

part 2

part 3

part 4

part 5
part 6
part 7
part 8


 
 Snow troupe version:
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4

 (On a side note, I am looking forward to this year's Moon troupe version as well!)

Please note that the videos are not uploaded by myself, so if a link stops working I cannot upload it again or fix it myself.

However, please let me know if a link does not work and I shall try to find another one - if possible.

Have a great time :)

Higher than the Sky of Paris

Two friends of mine got married in Paris on Saturday the 18th.

For anybody who is not from there (such as myself), a wedding in Paris sounds like the most glamorous event ever. Honestly, it was really nice.

The church was gorgeous (église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont) and both of my friends were really well dressed - he looked like a 19th century gentleman, and there is nothing I like better!

The dinner was awesome as well. The location was the Pavillon Royal in the Bois de Boulogne: doesn't just the sound of it give you frissons of excitement?

Traveling to Paris is glamorous, and doing so by train adds to its old-fashioned appeal... besides, at least from where I live, it is cheaper than going by plane.

Once the means of transportation had been chosen, my next concern was what to do to kill time on my way there.

I tend to sleep on trains and planes, I fall asleep the instant I sit down, but when going to Paris one has to keep an air of dignity (sleeping on the train with my head twisted at an odd angle and my mouth wide open would have definitely ruined the air of glamour surrounding my journey).

I quickly found an excellent option to slumber: watching a Takarazuka. It's always an excellent option to almost anything, I believe.

But of course, the show had to be chosen carefully. I came across one that fit perfectly the profile that I wanted my journey to have: "Higher than the Sky of Paris". Could any show fit any better?

*MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS*

"Higher than the Sky of Paris" is a comedy about two swindlers who meet Gustave Eiffel.

It was enacted by the Moon troupe in 2007.

The main actresses were Sena Jun, Oozora Yuuhi, Kiriya Hiromu and Ayano Kanami: Sena Jun and Ayano Kanami were top stars at that time, Oozora Yuuhi and Kiriya Hiromu are the current top stars of Cosmos and Moon troupe (though both of them are going to retire soon).

Seeing these great actresses on the same stage is definitely worthwhile.

They are really different one from another, but they all are equally talented.

I guess you could say that "Higher than the Sky of Paris" is not your typical Takarazuka - or at least, it's not the most popular kind of Takarazuka.

It is not my favourite kind of story either, but I must admit that it was entertaining.

In this show, you will not find great romance or intense, dramatic scenes, but it is definitely worth watching if you feel like having a laugh.

The plot is rather simple yet unexpected (two swindlers helping Gustave Eiffel to build the famous Tour Eiffel, isn't that unexpected?) and interesting.

It gives room to quite a few funny, and in some cases moving, moments.

I like the fact that the swindlers, Armand and Georges Jacquet (Sena Jun and Oozora Yuuhi) at first seem to be rather ruthless, though silly, but prove to be quite sensitive (and even dumber than they seemed) as the story goes on.

One thing that I didn't really like is that most of it was acted out, but not sang.

There were two main songs plus a few other little tunes, but nothing extraordinary. Catchy, though, very catchy. I kept singing over and over the main songs for a couple of days.

It honestly is a pity that there were not more songs, because all of the actresses are really great singers - especially Kiriya Hiromu, her voice is amasing.

Despite the fact that there was not enough music for my taste, they acted so well that I didn't get bored at all. The three main characters were great.

I especially liked Georges Jacquet (Oozora Yuuhi) and Gustave Eiffel (Kiriya Hiromu), the first for its funny stupidity, the second because of its awkwardness. It was really effective.

I had already seen Oozora Yuuhi in some other performances, but never in this kind of role. She did a lot better than I thought she would. Since I was used to see her in more serious roles (such as my beloved Sora in "Shangri-la") I honestly didn't expect much from this character... but I loved it. She performed really well: the tone of her voice, her facial expression and her movements, they all were really convincing.

As for Kiriya Hiromu, I must admit her looks don't really appeal to me so I had not watched any show starring her yet. Unexpectedly, her dishevelled Eiffel was great. She really looked like some kind of mad scientist and the way she stuttered was really funny. Besides, as I said before, I was really impressed with her voice, probably the best out of the three main characters.

Sena Jun was, of course, really good. I had only watched her in "Elisabeth" before so I couldn't really imagine what she would be like as Armand Jacquet - a character so different from Der Tod! I was pleased, though I liked her better as Der Tod... but I guess that's because "Elizabeth" is closer to my taste.

Ayano Kanami's character, the flower-girl Mimi, didn't really stand out much. She didn't have a lot of importance for the main stream of the plot, though she was essential for the development of a few side scenes that were both moving and funny.

Anyway, she's cute and her voice is good, but there's not much more to say about her performance, I think.

I believe it's also worth mentioning Izumo Aya's performance. I had already seen her in some shows ( I mainly recall her in "Phantom" and "The Rose of Versailles") and I have always liked her very much. She's really skilled and her voice is simply awesome.

Overall, it was a really refreshing show.

The songs and dances that were performed before the beginning of the story (which actually startled me... aren't this kind of scenes usually played at the end of the show?) were nice. The song "Champagne" was a bit stereotypical (it does seem like Japanese people often associate France with Champagne, romance and glamour, doesn't it?) and the fact that the couple dance was a Pasodoble confirmed the fact that sometimes Japanese people really have a confused idea of what Europe is like - what's a Pasodoble got to do with France??

Anyway, it's not one of my favourite shows but, as I said earlier, it is worth watching if what you're looking for is a show that will make you laugh.

Besides, the quality of the performance is high, so I do not regret watching it at all :)

Welcome to the world of Takarazuka!

宝塚の世界へようこそ！

Whether you are a "veteran" fan of Takarazuka, a new adept or even if you know nothing about this colourful world, I hope you will enjoy reading my thoughts and reviews!

There are so many different aspects to Takarazuka ("Zuka" in short) that one just never knows enough about it, and it is very difficult to decide where to start from when explaining what it is.

Honestly, when I start talking about my passion for Zuka to people, they don't really get what I find so fascinating about it and they sort of freak out.

I guess that to understand the charm of this world you need to watch some of its shows first.

Maybe you also need to have some kind of natural inclination towards androgen characters, kitsch costumes, grand atmospheres and aesthetics that don't belong to your own culture (as far as my knowledge goes, the aesthetics of Takarazuka do not really fit into Japanese aesthetics either, so it could be considered "foreign" even to them).

But first things first: what is Takarazuka?

Takarazuka is a Japanese type of theater that features musicals played only by female actresses.

Having only male actors is something that most people have heard of (think of Kabuki or even of European theater up to the XVII century), but having only female actresses is a lot more rare.

So in Takarazuka you have women playing both female (musumeyaku) and male (otokoyaku) roles.

The actresses attend a special school during two years in which they have dancing, singing and acting classes.

During that period, the stage sex of the actresses is decided according to their physical appearance, skills and (though it is not as important a factor as the others) personal preference.

Once their stage sex is decided, they will stick to it (even when they are not on stage) until they leave their troupe.

It is rather rare to have actresses play both female and male roles, but it is not unprecedented.

There are five Takarazuka troupes:

花組 - Flower troupe

雪組 - Snow troupe

星組 - Star troupe

月組 - Moon troupe

宙組 - Cosmos troupe

Actresses often switch from one troupe to another at some point, they sometimes switch between several of them during their career.

Each troupe has its own top stars: one otokoyaku and one musumeyaku.

The top stars play the lead roles in the shows of their troupe with few exceptions.

The "real" top star is only one, though: the otokoyaku top star. The otokoyaku have a higher status compared to the musumeyaku and they usually have a wider fan-base as well.

The musicals played in Takarazuka are often set abroad, mainly in Europe, and the genre is predominantly romance.

Some of them are based on famous manga (such as "The Rose of Versailles"), others on existing musicals (such as "Elisabeth" or "Romeo and Juliette") and some are original Takarazuka productions (e.g. "Never say goodbye").

The costumes are stunning, sometimes getting to a pitch of kitsch-ness that is almost unbelievable. They love sequins, rhinestones and feathers.

You might wonder now about what is there to Takarazuka that fascinates me so much.

1. The actresses are incredibly skilled. Of course, some are "better" than others and I do have my favourites and my, let's say, "not-so-favourites", but overall the level is amasingly high.

I am not a singing, dancing or acting expert, so I cannot go in detail, but my impression is that they do extremely well in all these fields.

2. The otokoyaku. Their mere existance is one good reason to watch Takarazuka. Some of them are so good at what they do that I can't get myself to think of them as women - given that their purpose is precisely to enact men, isn't that a wonderful thing?

I must say, their "male" performance is strongly stereotyped (and so is the musumeyaku's "female" performance) but still, there is some kind of "magic" to it that is difficult to put into words.

The musumeyaku are not one of the reasons I like Takarazuka, though for some people they are. Don't misunderstand me: I believe them to be excellent at what they do, but somehow I am not as impressed with them as I am with the otokoyaku.

3. I love musicals. I guess that, if I didn't, I probably could not stand Takarazuka. But, given that I am absolutely a huge fan of musicals, I really appreciate the variety of their shows: they go from comedy to drama, from sci-fi to traditional stories. Besides, they perform about 3 shows per troupe every year! One can just never get bored.

4. I loooove romance, and I like it the "old-way". Yes, even when it's cheesy.

Of course, everyone has their own reasons to like Takarazuka and I don't mean to say that your reasons for liking it should be the same as mine.

I simply hope that, if you were not sure whether to plunge into the world of Takarazuka or not, I have motivated you to go for it!

Last but not least, if you want to learn more about Takarazuka, I suggest you to visit the TakaWiki. You'll find loads of interesting information there!

P.S. The picture I have uploaded for this post is of Wao Youka, my absolute favourite otokoyaku, in the show "Phantom" (2004).