my humble opinion on TCA 2010 'Forever Takarazuka'

the prologue is titled 'Over Sea'. actually, there's a reason to it, as the song lyrics list the oversea performances of Takarazuka since the time of its establishment

as usual, the Tops participating in the concert reminisce of the coming to its end year

after Oozora-sama says she explored a new character - a weather reporter man with a funny posture - Matobu-sama and Todoroki-sama made me die because of laughing... 'but the usual image of Yuuhi is like... nihil... and like - 'okaeriii', and like 'abayo!', and like 'kampai'...'

and once again, Matobu-sama shows a great sense of humour. 'was it this year? last year? or this? oh, that was a show named 'EXCITER', so that's last year... may_I_speak_of_the_last_year? it will take approximately 30 minutes, is it ok?'

then calling Todoroki-sama as 'Ishi-san' and 'anii'... >___<

then 'oh yeah, and... what was I speaking of?'

and then 'but the cool scene only lasted for 3 minutes...'

and then Todoroki-sama addresses to Otozuki-sama as 'Kimuchi' ^.^ so cute

and then Todoroki-sama shares her impressions of the year - she thought that Matobu was a mood maker, she thought that Oozora was a shy person who suddenly transforms when an MC in the TCA, and she thought that Otozuki was... oh, she didn't think of her

Oozora-sama protests - 'but speak not of me, but of yourself' and Todoroki-sama - 'I was surprised! [by Oozora-sama transforming] there are 365 days in the year, but yesterday and today were the most important!'

then Todoroki-sama speaks about Kobayashi-sensei - 'we believe that he watches over all the actresses with a smile from a theatre somewhere'

Hanagumi corner presents a parody on 'Gubijin' and 'Exciter'. when Matobu-sama started singing and speaking in a high-pitched kawaii voice I could hardly prevent myself from LOLing so that my parents wouldn't wake up
as for the 'Exciter' theme song - I was astonished by Matobu-sama's vocal, the Troupe's vocal and the music itself. such an energy... *___* mitemitaaaai~
Yukigumi was showing 'Roge' and 'Solferino' and 'Rock on' numbers, but the concept was not really funny for me. Otozuki-sama was running with a chair attached by handcuffs... but that was not laughable really
Soragumi started with ''R''ising song, but... erm... why so poor singing??? ^^` unlike that, acting was superb. and Oozora-sama as Gin-chan throwing her shovel...? at the orchestra director Sasada-sensei and saying 'you may try conducting with it...'
'Funky Sunshine' theme 'sorapower' was not too impressive, to tell the truth

the second act full of nice average Zuka songs. I am not saying they are bad, they are just average, pleasant to listen but not too special
there was only one scene where some covers... no, not covers really, only elements of famous songs were performed such as 'Go Go Go Ale Ale Ale' and 'Besame Mucho'
and BTW, I don't want to sound rude but Soragumi really sing bad. I see them again on stage and all of them are pretty unimpressive, including Nono-sama. and Snow was not much better >___<
the second 'talk break' was marked by 'kawaikochan' entering the stage to give the Tops cool water and handkerchiefs
mess on the stage. everybody joking and laughing. Todoroki-sama - 'we're not backstage, so will you please calm down!'

finale was supposed to represent images of the cities where oversea performances were held. to tell the truth, I wasn't impressed much again... in my mind, the choice of singers for each song was wrong. for example, 'yesterday' didn't sound good in Oozora-sama's rather abrupt version, and vice versa 'New York New York' would be better by Oozora-sama instead of Matobu-sama

soooo this is a very good TCA, but the more I watch something like this the more I wonder how people who don't understand Japanese watch TCAs...

my humble opinion on... website? ~ Oozora-sama and Nono-sama memorial

http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/correlation/j271.html

somehow, Cosmos Troupe seems to be not only the most freaky, but the richest also. not only it goes beyond the borders of 'tradtionalism', but also gains the most sophisticated, to put it mildly, decorations. not only the stage decorations, costumes also, and... how shall I call it... setting? staging? well, overall impression of how the stage looks

the more I look at Oozora-sama and Nono-sama, the more I understand I lost nothing by paying no attention to their combi. at the same time, I admit they both are good actresses, however, with different approaches. Nono-sama seems to like affected manner of playing. if she acts, she ACTS. if she pretends, she does it so that everybody would notice how much she tries. if she plays, she makes everyone see that she plays. not that she lives on stage. and there would be nothing wrong with it for me, if not for one thing. she has nothing of herself in her roles. she lets the role shape her as much as it can, and leaves nothing personal in it

vice versa, Oozora-sama never does something like this. while given different roles, she plays them as she can, in her unchangeable manner. therefore, however emotion there might be in the character, they all look the same for me

some praise her smile which is rare and thus precious. well, I know people whose smile is really rare and therefore worthy of earning, but even smiling Oozora-sama fails to impress me. I thought I was wrong, I hopes I was wrong, but the more I see her, the less I want to watch a performance with hers. realizing I am wrong for judging like this, I cannot help thinking this way

still, I wish them both good luck in their final performances in Tokyo

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

sometimes there are surprises...

I wonder how it can be this way... that I like Oozora-sama's song more than any other on the 'Christmas Present' CD. both the voice and the song itself. it is not right... why is she singing the most touching song on the album? why is she singing that way? 'tis not right... >____<

interview translation! - Oozora-sama retiring

The Top Star of the Cosmos Troupe Oozora Yuuhi - press-conference concerning retirement



December, 27th (Tuesday), Cosmos Troupe Top Star Oozora Yuuhi gave an interview concerning the announcement of her retirement after the musical 'Brilliant Days' and grand show 'Climax ~Cry-Max~' (Takarazuka Grand Theatre: from April, 13th, till May, 14th; Tokyo Takarazuka Theater: from June, 1st, till July, 1st, 2012).

Kobayashi Kouichi (the board chairman of Takarazuka Revue)
'The Cosmos Troupe Top Star Oozora Yuuhi decided to graduate from Takarazuka on July, 1st, next year on the final day of the performance in Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre. Before becoming the Top, she experienced different things, gained the true strength, speaking of her, she became a really great male-role player, and as the Top Star of the Cosmos Troupe she contributed to Takarazuka becoming the way it is now, she leads the theatre. Among the 5 troupes' Top Stars she is the only one to have experienced the old performances of Takarazuka, and she is graduating now, so I feel a bit lonely, but until she graduates, as Oozora Yuuhi, I pray you to support her so that she shines more and more'

Oozora Yuuhi
'I shall graduate July, 1st, next year. I would like to thank everybody for having been supporting me for a long time. Until the last day I want to live on the stage as Oozora Yuuhi, as a male-role player, so I hope for your further support'

The reason of the decision to retire?
'After I received the honour to play the leading part, I was bestowed with spending really productive days, but during 'Classico Italiano', 'NICE GUY!!' the stage performer Oozora Yuuhi, a male-role player, seemed to be interesting, I felt the definite feedback, that I was acknowledged, so I thought I can graduate'

A performance or a role that is memorable?
'After I began to play the leading part, all of the roles were memorable. Apart from them, when I was bestowed with the role of Kuraoka Ginshirou from 'Kamata March' ('Gin-chan's Love') as my first challenge, I think the thing I laid my hands on was a big one'

Considering the performance before the retirement
'The performance which I graduate with, is a debut performance (for the 98th class), and the 'Brilliant Days' is a debut of mrs Harada, so I think it will become a very bright and dramatic performance, and as I remember of my own initial intention, I think it would be good to bring to a finish my last performance' 
A message to colleagues
'I was honoured with opportunity to enjoy the world called Takarazuka, the world called male-role playing, and it seems to me, I was only savouring it. The time is different for everyone, but the time spent in Takarazuka was limited, and I think, the fact I put everything in that time will become the supplies of my life. I want you to put all your energy into what you face and live a productive time'

A message to the fans

'You have always, always kindly watched over the clumsy me, and my gratitude cannot be expressed with words. When I struggle for the last time, I think it is my fans who pushed me in the back to playing the leading part. That I am here doing this is also due to my fans, and I thank them with all my heart. I want to receive the honour of being enjoyed by everyone as male-role player, Oozora Yuuhi until the 1st of July, so I pray you to honour me with your support until the end'

_____

translator's notes

1. I do feel 'tis important to translate not only meaning, but also the style used by siennas. they are always polite, overly polite, pronoucing the unwieldy phrases as if the process is automatic. I personally do adore this feature of theirs, and if you do not, that is absolutely not my problem, as I am strict about myself and I am perfectly sure my kind of translation doth not affect the meaning as well
2. Oozora-sama named mrs Harada as 'Harada-sensei' (of course, she's a director), and as I am not going to leave the suffixes (and BTW I am against 'Gin-chan's love' as the English translation) in translations, any ideas of how to replace the 'sensei' suffix would be appreciated
3. yes I am controversial myself, as I do use suffixes, but that's a habit of mine that cannot be erased, and I consider it tolerable while speaking myself, not translating