my humble opinion on 'The Man from Algiers' ~ it's been a year, huh?

 ...after the classes finished - 12-50 as usual - I left Meric Japanese Language School where I was studying and hurried to the subway. as my friend Sae-san told me there wasn't much time I preferred to run, but that was a bad decision - I dropped my walkman which has the screen glass on the very top with no protection and got it broken. as I never bothered to replace the glass, 'tis still the same now. when I arrived at Umeda I had to count carefully the staircases and escalators because our meeting point wasn't too easy to find for me who could not get used to new places even after spending a month in Osaka. needless to say, I was successful. having bought some snacks we took the train to Takarazuka and arrived there in a blink of an eye. the road from the station to the Theatre was very beautiful in summer, though I wished I could visit it in March when sakura trees bloom, as Sae-san told me that 'hanamichi' is all bestrewed with the flower petals. the interior of the Theatre seemed to be bigger than the building when looked at from the outside. the halls and the shops were all cute and crowded. we proceeded to the seats. though 'twas balcony and our seats were #2 and #3, left edge, I could observe the stage pretty well. so, the curtain raised...

I tried several times to recall why I was so delighted after seeing the performance. well, here's the reason

vivid colours of the costumes, moving decorations in the backstage, perfect steady loud low and a bit husky voice of Kiriya-sama, perfect synchro of the dancers (well ok this particular screencap is not a good proof) - and probably this particular lift marked the beginning of my love of lifts?

KiriMari duet song. perfection again. if 'tis KiriMari than an average lovers' song becomes special. I would be really mad for the fact that Moon is playing this tragedy, if not for KiriMari who create a fresh image of the main characters which is impossible to mistake for anything else

Koshino-sama and Hanase-sama were of course inimitable. recognizing Ayahoshi-san was much more difficult. I mean, after seeing her like this - a capricious young child - one wouldn't think she can sing the song from 'Notre Dame de Paris' scene of 'Dance Romanesque'. at least I wouldn't

'ai wa doko ni iru' is just an average Top Musumeyaku character's song, but 'twas really good to hear it from Aono-sama. this very song made me understand that Aono-sama is not as plain as I was afraid she might be when I only looked at her photos and knew nothing else

the scene of preparations for the party in Paris gave me the first impression of the 'many-members-having-fun-on-the-stage' thing. now that I see it for the second time I can't help wondering to myself... is it strange that for me seeing Japanese portraying French waiters and maids - and moreover being pretty credible - is not strange?

Hanahi-san as Annabelle was too credible. so credible that I started doubting whether she was credible or not. sounds like nonsense but this is what I thought

one more surprise - Seijou-san as Michelieu with... a gigolo aura? I mean, she was an personification of the courtesy- and gallantry-covered onslaught that are one of the main MOE points about Takarazuka in my mind

otokoyaku group sing Julien about the downtown of Paris where there are a lot of nice girls. again. actresses on the stage singing as if they were real young men willing to have some adult fun - note strange, at all! ^o^

Aono-sama's dance in the golden outfit in the nightclub is perhaps one of the most beautiful dance I've ever seen. and the golden glitter suits her so much *____*

Hihou-san is a great surprise again. her voice, to be precise. I am a bad judge in terms of person's appearance, but her low voice is really unexpected after you look at the cute smiling face of hers on some photo

hard to admit, but Morie's charm was a bit hard to notice this time. to be precise, I didn't remember much about her after the first time I saw her on stage, but surely this time I can pay more attention to her as I don't have to dissipate my attention to many things. now I can understand those who love her deeply. perhaps, this is the image of hers that is the most natural and attracts the fans

finally, Mirio as Henri. if I could see her in this image more... so gentle that she almost radiated peach-coloured light around her... does it sound strange? but I really was able to see it during the scene where Annabelle heard the conversation between Julien and Elizabeth - how she lifted Hanahi-san, how she looked at her, how she touched her,  how she sang after... I melted. well of course that does not mean I justify her Henri who, in the end, killed a human being
and Masao as Jacques. guys, how can you like villains like this? I mean, Masao created a villain with no slightest trace of mercy or a chance for redemption. she was too credible. this is why I have such an image of hers - capable of playing 'true' villains. having this Jacques as my first impression of Masao I truly cannot understand those who see her differently
well and the final dialogue of Julien and Sabine - if someone doubts there were no real love between those two, I don't know what real love is. who were those two, Julien and  Sabine or KiriMari?
my love towards this Combi might seem to have its roots in a mere coincidence, but this love hasn't died yet, and perhaps won't. why do I love them so much? maybe I love how Aono-sama grasped Kiriya-sama's back? maybe I love how Kiriya-sama holds Aono-sama's head?

maybe I love this look of Kiriya-sama with her eyes cast down or closed, and a tense smile on her face? maybe I love how Aono-sama can express so much hope and happiness with her face, though there is not anything special on it?

...and the curtain falls down. even now I consider this ending too abrupt. even now though I know how it ends, I have that feeling again - 'that's it?'

conclusion
I cannot be unbiased, can I? taking into account 'twas the first Takarazuka performance I saw, and the first Takarazuka performance I saw live. let me put it this way: play itself - not one of my favourites, but the performance... *____*

I have to thank once more the people who upload these things

BTW the Tudou links are
part 1
part 2

My humble opinion on 'Edward VIII' and 'Misty Station' ~ the best performance I've ever seen

This time I was blessed with an opportunity to see everything with my own eyes, sitting in the 6th row of the balcony in the left sector. Well, I am wrong. I was not blessed. I was struggling hard to come there and be there. And I succeeded
Before I went to the Theatre I was already going to name my current post like this. However, I did not write it beforehand, being afraid that the performance might turn out to be just good, not the best. Well, I was wrong in my fear. It was the best
What I was also going to say about today is 'it was the best day in my life'. However, I doubt it now. It was a special one, but I cannot call it the best. I cannot, because of the emptiness in my heart. I thought that in movies when something shocking happens with a character and he is walking through the lively city as if in silence, slowly, not noticing anything around him - I thought it to be just a trick of a director to make the audience sympathize with the hero. Now I see this is a real thing when something great happens to you. I was walking in the same manner today. Somehow I found the JR station, somehow I got on the train, somehow I changed the line, somehow I went to 7-11 shop to buy some snacks, somehow I returned to the hotel... But all that I heard in my ears was the voice of Kiriya-sama singing 'come back to me'. 'tis thanks to the TV set in Quatre Reves which advertised 'Misty Station' CD. And still my heart ached as if those words were for me
You may kill me but I cannot imagine that this performance lacks something. At least it has everything that I appreciate. No, 'tis better to say, everything in this performance exceeded my expectations
Let me start with 'Edward'
Performance itself and acting
I thought there would be some special lines for Kiriya-sama and Aono-sama - but I did not think it was created completely for them, for Moon Troupe, and for nobody else...
The very beginning is already funny, when David sitting on the 'throne' copies Wallis's words on his funeral - 'he was my everything!'. And his cocky character is seen throughout the whole play. Which is 100% Kiriya-sama's type. What I appreciated is that in the radio speech when David abdicated the throne he pronounced the words the real David pronounced - 'I cannot rule the country without the support of the woman I love'. Another lube of his which I liked a lot was - 'Will you not go for a drink with me? It is scary to go alone for me' - this 'scary' literally made me shiver
Wallis is not a girl easy to deal with, too. She is a strong woman, somewhat arrogant and has enough gumption, which is completely Aono-sama's type. Such a great contrast between her worring about the beloved when his life was in danger, and the calmness she accepted his proposal with in the end
Ryuu-sama looked really cute. I wonder if it was done on purpose so that we do not guess that her character is actually *SPOILER*
a spy
*END OF SPOILER*
Another fact which exceeded my imagination was that it was Ryuu-sama who started the performance, not the Top Star, and not with the usual 'Mina-sama, honjitsu youkoso...' but with a funny line which I do not remember precisely, but it was something like 'whaaat, already starting???' Well, that was her part - she narrated the whole story, as she was a BBC producer, and she also finished the play with words like 'the musical has ended, let us meet in the next part'
Asumi-sama was cute, as always. She reminded me Andre in 'The man from Algiers' a lot, as she was playing again a very supporting and understanding character, the type I cling to if I happen to dislike the main character (not this time, fortunately)
Kaito-san and Izumi-san were very credible portraying men with particular 'villain inclination' or how should I call it
who surprised me was Isshiki-san. her clumsy and caring younger brother was a very cute character whom I liked and could not help smiling when he appeared on the stage
Touka-san also surprised me with the fact her character was not very outstanding. perhaps, Touka-san was not requested to act really strong, but I cannot help expecting her to make an unusual woman
Plot
If you need funny lines and quarrels, there are plenty - take the first meeting of Wallis and David when he spilt water on her. If you need an intrigue, a spy, there is some - closer to the end. If you need a credible love story, where love is tangible and grows naturally, gradually, 'tis there - we have enough time to understand how those two came to love each other. If you need a kiss, there are two - in the middle and in the end, on the wedding. If you need dialogues that tear your heart apart, there are such - when the couple was parting and they thought it could be forever. If you need danger and thrill, there are scenes containing them - when Wallis was threatened. If you need tragedy and hard feelings, they were acute enough in the play - when Edward realized he is the king
Several people who write comments published on the official website were praising the line by Edward in the end - 'even if the clock were turned back, I would choose the same path'. I wondered when exactly it would pop out. It turned out to be an answer to Wallis' question to David when he abdicated the throne - 'Do you not regret? Tell me the truth'. 'Of course I do' he answered, but added the line I wrote above
However, for me another line seemed to be important. It was one of the last lines in the wedding songs - 'our kingdom only awaits for us'. In other words, Edward's abdication was not an end, but a beginning of his life with Wallis, which was to be full of happiness. Still, I felt that those words had a deeper meaning. It was the Top Combi promising that their graduation is not an end, but just a beginning. Well, it might be I just want to understand it this way...
Yes, there was an obvious happy end. Can a happy end not be beautiful?
Now, as for 'Misty Station'
No need to say everything was great in terms of acting
Plot and performance
The storyline is pretty simple - a man and a young actress are travelling by train. But the setting!
First, I love it when some anime-like pictures are shown on the curtain
Second, I love it when different countries and styles are presented - here we have Scottish motives, Shanghai part, jungle fantasy and of course standard Zuka suits and dresses
Music and vocals
I have never heard anything that wonderful. It applies both to the play and the revue part
The duet of Edward and Wallis in the play was great. I do believe that their voices sound good together, but today's singing was the best I've ever heard
The arias of David were all superb. The strength of Kiriya-sama's voice was doubled by the melodies and it reached my heart through my ears
Though I tend to dislike the music in plays, this one was not boring and I would be happy to listen to some songs again if I have a chance to buy the disc somewhen
And 'Misty Station' was so beautiful that I immediately bought a CD in Quatre Reves after the show
The title song was familiar to me, as I heard it on the website but the real version was slightly different - and thus hundred times more energetic
The songs accompanying the scenes were all interesting, which is a rare thing for me - I usually enjoy only the main ones, or even pay more attention to what is going on stage, and think of the music as just the necessary background
Again, I never heard such inspired singing. We all know that Takarazuka actresses have strong voices and microphones, but this time there were several songs literally overwhelming
The scene with 'battle' had marvellous music and vocals, though 'twas hard to tell in the process, I was happy to see that 'twas Hanahi Mira-chan whose voice I was enchanted with
I should also praise Sakihi Miyu-chan for a very cute boy in the scene with agents. her waving in the end was not a difficult thing to do, but somehow I felt she was exceedingly cute in that role. I was especially moved when I read about the name of the boy on Miyu-chan's TakaWiki page
Reika-chan (I still have a week to call her this way) was also cute portraying a young and fragile girl who was literally crying with her movements and gestures to be saved
Ayahoshi-san did not fail to surprise me this time, too. her 'villain' was so 'villainish' that I could not believe my eyes when I read that 'tis her
The jungle part had a very nice ephemeral chorus of young actresses and a special present was the number by Izumi-san with two girls where she was singing in a loud and steady voice
Kiriya-sama, you are a huge liar. You said in the interview that you were not thinking about graduation while playing, but I cannot believe this. Everything in the revue was created especially to commemorate this fact
Take the part when Aono-sama was wearing a white dress. She reached her hands to Kiriya-sama and... The ethereal girl parted with the man? Or Aono-sama herself parted with Kiriya-sama? Well, you may argue it was a coincidence. It was no coincidence then in the next scene when Kiriya-sama goes up the bright staircase and Aono-sama sings an aria portraying the young girl from the beginning, but what she was singing is - 'goodbye, my beloved, we are going separate ways, you go to the right and I go to the left' and 'I shall never forget your voice, your gestures, the warmness of your hands, and your name'. Well, I cannot reproduce everything exactly as it was, but i wrote down the main lines
In her turn, Kiriya-sama was singing - 'you taught me everything'. I cannot believe 'twas a coincidence
The song which still rings in my ears was 'watashi ni kaerinasai' by both Kiriya-sama and Aono-sama. The melody contributed greatly to the mood of the song so the sorrow and longing I felt while listening to it are unlikely to let go of my heart
No revue can do without covers of famous songs. This time I am ashamed to admit I could not recall the original immediately, but this is due to the fact I have been listening to the instrumental version of it for a long time, and I did not hear it more than once or twice in the version with words. In the revue 'tis also an instrumental work accompanying the Top Combi dance, which was again much more beautiful than I expected. Though I did not like Aono-sama in dark dress, it looked good when she was dancing in the artificial mist creeping on the stage. There was only one singing line in this part - 'subete wa kokoro no kimeta mama ni' sung by Kiriya-sama in the end of the number, the most part of the song was performed by Sawaki-chan in the background. I do love Sawaki-chan as an actress, she is simply cute. I love her as a person, she is straightforward. and now I can say I love her singing. one of the outstanding otokoyaku voices, though sounds more like shounenyaku ^.^ I mean, 'tis kind of boyish, not mature
As for Kiriya-sama's line, t was then when I felt relieved. 'Everything will be just as the heart decides,' she sings. If so, I am happy
The usual otokoyaku dance was not usual this time, too. It's theme song was 'final countdown'. Ok, this might be a coincidence. It might be not. In any case, Kiriya-sama's vocal made the number unforgettable
Again, the revue is very special because of the mixture of genres in if. We had rock parts, smooth melodies, jazzy tunes, even sine para-para disco, and of course everything was completely in frames of Takarazuka style
Disappointment?
They usually raise the curtain again after it falls down for the first time when the revue ends, and the Top Star and/or kumichou usually says a few words, am I wrong? This time there was no such thing. Moreover, the curtain fell down so quickly I could not even realize what was going on. In a blink of an eye I could no longer see the stage and those on it
The revue exceeded my expectations even in my predictions about the time to cry. The previous two times tears were sliding down my cheeks during the final parade. This time I could not help crying from the very beginning to the very end. It was especially difficult not to cry when Kiriya-sama's character was sleeping in the train, and a policeman came to wake him up - 'Mister, get up! We are arriving at the terminus - What? Already terminus? - Yes. How was your journey?'
How was your journey - is it a question to the young man with a yellow coat or...
Instead, I did not cry during the parade, like before. No, just when I saw etoile - Ayahoshi-san if I am not mistaken - I wiped my tears and I applauded. I was clapping with all my might. As if my personal clapping could be heard there on the stage... Still I could not help applauding. I wanted to thank them all...
If not for the best day in my life, then at least for the best 3 hours in my life. This is for sure so. Otherwise would I spend almost 30'000 yen in Quatre Reves?

my humble opinion on 'The Glow of Sunset in Asuka' by Moon Troupe (2004)

Zuka can heal us. I was already aware that I can easily be consoled by watching an anime, but Zuka's performances have even a greater effect on depressions

the most important fact

yaaay! I watched a show without Kiriya-sama in it!

'tis a big achievement for me, who is alsmost unable to tear off Kiriya-sama's performances and watch something different

actually, 'twas my initial intention, to watch the first performance I find in my Zuka folder, and accidentally I clicked on 'The Glow'. when I realized 'twas a Moon performance I thought 'twas my fate, to see Kiriya-sama again, but she did not turn up in the cast. I still wonder why... was she too busy with her dinner show? o.O

singing

a surprise. though not a good one, not a bad one, simply I was surprised with Ayaki-sama's voice, as I supposed her to have another kind of voice

Emi-san's voice was also a nice one to listen to. a 'warm' one, but also a sweet one, not too soft and not too piercing, which is good. not an outstanding one, which is not really bad, but not an advantage, too

acting

I chose Sena-sama's version to watch, as Oozora-sama is obviously not my preference, and Takashiro-san is simply unknown for me (and I have no will to get acquainted with her). now I even regret about it, as Sena-sama in the beginning was too cute for an 'evil' character

another important thing I realized, I love young siennas playing children. it began when I saw Reika-chan playing prince Louis Charles in SP. I was fond of young prince by Mira-chan in 'Prince of the Land of Roses'. I enjoyed the children version of Holly and Becky in 'Studio 54', and also those chidren in the orphanage. each time of that I did not realize I like the whole concept, I thought I liked that particular scene. now I can firmly state I love scenes envolving children characters. and this time we had Mirio playing the main character in his childhood. ohhhh, Mirio, thou wert a cute little girl once... I do not mean, she is not cute anymore, I mean she grew up, and her ken already exceedeth the 'junior' 7 level, and the young boys and girls are played by the next generation now

actually, I cannot name anything interesting about acting this time. 'twas not bad, but 'twas not outstanding. what I can remember from the performance is only the cry of Emi-san in the end and her following monologue about the happiness of a peaceful life with Karatsukuri that was already lost for her - that was impressing. I do think that siennas are great in showing the deep despair, which can consist in both loud sobbing and quiet shedding tears

as for the others, 'twas credible enough, but nothing special about them. I cannot even praise Sena-sana or Oozora-sama, as they showed nothing interesting during the play. everything was of high quality, but average at the same time. as for me, I prefer when people exceed themselves and do something out of their range every time. as Kiriya-sama said, 'tis no show if there is no challenge for a sienna

summary

the biggest advantge of the show is that, 'tis a Japanese one, with a story about Japan, with music, dance and songs being very close to the ancient Japanese ones. I would be happy to watch something Japanese sitting in the audience sometime. however, I cannot name any other attractive points of this particular performance. oh, I forgot, there are masochists among us (no offence guys, in my point of veiw ye art masochists...) who like tragedies - 'tis obviously a story for them, as it proveth one more time how cruel people can be out of jealosy - but let me be honest, 'tis no surprise, is it? and the way 'twas showed presenteth nothing unique to catch my eye

well, a nice thing to broaden our minds and kill some time

my humble opinion on 'Studio 54' by Moon Troupe

this time me would like to say some words about 'Studio 54'
the usual version is here http://www.tudou.com/listplay/GURRRIaiV34/s76b3krzz1E.html
the Tokyo closing night is this http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/_FJI3rmbEso/

acting

this time we are having no Masao in the show, as she is busy with her 'Hot Fairies' - you can even see an 'ads' of the show in one of the scenes of 'Studio 54'

on the other hand, we have a strange Mirio here. is it only me who can't enjoy the greatness of the 'villains'? I mean, though as the Algier's Jaques she was great, I liked Mirio's Henry there much better. then everything changed and I noticed Chauvelin much better, but still I was no fan of him. be as it may, whatever I watch - I am fond only of the 'good guys', and even if I see a great, cool, shining Mirio with unforgettable hair, with sparkling accessories and retro glasses and with that sharp makeup....... I still can't adore the character, though I might try very hard. I am absolutely firm in the thought that she is overly cool for such a brute as Zack... he should have been created the same way, with all the rockish attributes etc. but he shouldn't be that cute beauty Rio is. in the end I came to the conclusion she looks simply too womanly >______< I couldn't even see her as a Z-BOY and she seemed a real Z-GIRL to me at first, but then - oh yeah - I managed to think of Z-BOY, 'n you know what helped me? yeah, the love scene between him and Steve. is me still the only one to laugh at two actRESSES performing yaoi on the stage? as for Z-Boy with Steve, let me presume the scene was created to show that sex and drugs (and maybe rock'n'roll? just a little of) were in plenty in the year of grace 1977.

the minor role performers were also rather distinguishable! I recognized Sawaki at once, but oh, Yuriya-chan as Neil was also great! and Yurino-chan, adorable image! the kids were cute as well, really looking as kids! well, Hanahi-chan was Hanahi-chan, as cute as usual - 'bro, Jamie is happy~!' after Holly kissed her ^.^

and several scenes to enjoy... me couldn't help making some, as 'tis too funny, me was never expecting this particular show to be that funny!

singing

me was never mentioning the songs as they were always performed greatly. however I want to say that 'hoshi ni naritai' by Yuki-chan in 'Studio' is more than great, 'tis one of the best songs me ever heard by Yuki-chan. I can remember only of 'I'll forget you' from 'the Scarlet Pimpernel' when Yuki was just as credible and bright. the songs of reminiscence by Becky is performed so that it moves your heart and makes you almost cry and meseems Yuki-chan managed to take the 100% control over her voice at the same time, so 'tis as if she gave vent for her emotions and they poured down on us, the spectators, with all their might, but those emotions never prevent her voice from showing its maximum capacities. the trembling and the strength is so wisely combined with tenderness and softness that I could call it the perfection...

however, my favourite song is 'hitogomi no naka no kodoku' - it has both great lyrics and touching melody. I would even argue that 'tis a song with one of the deepest meanings any revue ever had

covers

we love Takarazuka for splendid dramatic performances, perfect movements in dances and strong and expressive voices in songs, and so on... however, there is always one more attractive point in revue parts. we can play a little game - I would name it 'guess the original source of the music'. the ending part of 'Studio 54' is an adorable collection of covers of famous songs - well, famous in Japan, and released in the end of 70s. obviously not only the 'Studio' itself takes place in 70s, but the final part also. so, the covers are 

YMCA - by the young siennes

then Ayahoshi-san, Morie and Magee perform a part of a song from 'Galaxy Express' which seems to be a title song

Mirio sings 'otokotachi no melody' - according to the trivia I found, a song by SHOGUN released as a theme song for a dorama called 'oretachi wa tenshi da!'

Aono-sama sings a song of Yamaguchi Momoe-san 'Be Silent' which is spelled as '美 サイレント' therefore translated as 'silent beauty' sometimes. a song with mysterious lyrics, haha

Kiriya-sama's appearance starts with a song 'HERO' or 'Hero ni naru toki sore wa ima' by Kai Band

all-troupe song is easily recognizable - 'In the Navy'

unfortunately the music is cut in the Top Combi Duet Dance >____< greedy copyright owners just die

the Tokyo Closing Night had another final - with another covers of course
the first song by Seijou-san with girls is 'Sky High' by Jigsaw

the next song by Hanase-sama is a 'remix' on..... on something. this is the case when I do know what the original is, but I can't make myself remember the name of it. completely. to the extent I almost want to hung myself.... >___<
Aono-sama together with Morie and Koshino-sama sing 'Hot Stuff'

after Kiriya-sama descends, there is an instrumental part which I am not sure about, whether 'tis a cover or not. the Troupe starts singing the famous 'Dschingis Khan'

Top Combi duet dance in the special version of the Finale... I love it! ^^` especially the part when Kiriya-sama smacks Aono-sama on the rear ^o^
well and because of this lift also

then the usual Finale follows with no changes - at least I noticed none. Top Combi duet dance music is not cut this time, as far as I can understand, but I still have no idea of what the music is. unfortunately...
the closing words were really long. and this is a good thing. the longer it takes, the more fun! ^___^ this time was one of the funniest closing ceremonies I have ever seen... with lots of jokes from Kiriya-sama, lots of dancing and lots of 'reraising' of the curtain

conclusion

I love this show.