IMHO. Moon Troupe's 'Company' and 'Baddy'

For some reason in a while I felt like writing a detailed list of my impressions of the show...

First, 'Company'.

Probably the first time in my life I watched a musical and felt unsatisfied. My love for Moon Troupe did not let me admit it but let's face the truth: this is weak. What's with that story? Everybody works hard, there are some collisions during the process, but in the end they find common ground and make the show a success. 'cause 'audience are partners of the performers' huh?

I was surprised to find the show is based on an existing novel, so shallow the concept was.

If the above summary is just too short, here is a short but comprehensive one:

After two companies merge into one, several events are set up to promote the new company's image. Your average 'sarariman' Aoyagi tries to stand up for a young sports trainer Yui who is blamed for bad handling her duties, but in the end they both are transferred to produce a ballet performance, just as one would expect haha. During preparations they meet actual ballet dancers, Aoyagi learns much from his new friend Minami, Yui tries to establish partner relationship with a renown ballet dancer Takano who is a star both in Japan and abroad and has his own views on how things should go in life. The president's daughter Sara who is the prima of the ballet troupe constantly appears on stage and does nothing in particular. Dancers and teachers from the ballet school supported by the corporation also appear and do pretty nothing. Nayuta, a young singer from a famous band, is suddenly chosen for the main role instead of Takano who confessed he is not in his perfect condition. This condition however doesn't prevent him from dancing not only the bad wizard Rothbart but also Odille who is changed from a female role into a male one, being an apparition created by Rothbart...... What? Well, many characters asked the same, but in the end everyone agreed. Of course everything cannot go perfectly and Sara gets injured when being lifted by Nayuta, but everyone is yasashii and says it was her fault and not Nayuta's. We didn't even for a moment doubt Sara would somehow be dismissed from the show because Minami, who is her understudy, could not possibly stay behind the curtains since she is the one played by the Top musume. She is afraid to perform, but Aoyagi, who was afraid himself just a couple of minutes ago, comforts her and they embrace. By the way, Takano also had problems because he supported the injured Sara, but he has his devoted trainer Yui, heheeey! So, the last ballet performance is a success despite the problems, Takano decides to establish some kind of agency in Europe and suggests Yui go with him, now you girls should learn to be as persistent as Yui had been, and don't forget to wear a lovely blue dress for the party to conquer a stubborn guy's heart. The Top duo is together, of course, and everything is well......

I personally love funny stories with happy ending very much but I was not sure in the end if I wouldn't like to have a pickled cucumber.

Aoyagi by Ryou Tamaki is that average 'sarariman' doing his job diligently. Suddenly transferred from sales to ballet producing? Not a problem. They still think in Japan that a good worker should try everything in every section and be ready for anything. Doesn't matter he doesn't know anything about ballet - he just needs to learn... Despite - or thanks to this story flaw - I don't know which one it is, but Aoyagi was the same good guy till the end. Maybe the best thing I learned from him was that Natsume Soseki translated 'I love you' as 'tonight moon is beautiful', because the Japanese prefer indirect speaking.

By the way, I noticed that in the original Aoyagi's wife was not dead from cancer but rather simply left him. As for me, I'd rather leave this fact as it was in the book. At least it would add some nuances to Aoyagi's character.

Young ballet dancer Minami by Reika Manaki was your avegare cute and positive, slightly dumb girl. Only slightly... Well, they like it very much in Japan when the girl doesn't get it when she is confessed to. And it was even cute, when performed by Chapi. And still, what else can we expect from such dull characters, even if they are played by the Top duo.

Probably Miya's ballet star Takano was the only noticeable character in the story. The proud celebrity with his own stance and views, moreover with character development not much seen in anyone else in the story. I was waiting so much that he would attack his cute trainer and supporter, Yui, by Mitsuki Umino. This is probably bordering on an otome's fantasies, but what can I do if Rurika is not only a good actress but also such a hot thing too. For want of hotness in all other characters, I guess I would be happy if she attacked just any girl on the stage... But I had to be satisfied at least with the fact that Takano invited Yui to be his trainer and manager in Europe.

Speaking of the much desired hotness, at least Hayate Uzuki as the pop-group leader Akutsu was trying to add some, and I'm sure she would if her time on stage was not so limited. I'm not sure if it's right to measure the quality of a performance by the level of 'presence', but Uzuki's presence was big and one cannot ignore it. Even the scene where her character simply apologizes for his fellow band member was more impressive than many other longer scenes.

The same goes for Yurino Touka as ballet teacher Noa. Her role was small but she was good in it and even managed to pull some gags. Both Seri Ayazuki and Ruu Kozuki were also good as the wise company head and the funny manager who was constantly getting angry but in the end turned to be the only one 'restructured' - away from the company for good.

Wakaba Saotome as Sara was not really impressive to my taste. Chisei Akatsuki was not either, but at least she did some beautiful pas during the 'Swan lake' play within a play.

Kanato Tsukishiro........ Now here is something to think about. I didn't like her in 'All for one', but I admitted it might have been my personal prejudice. In 'Company' however I totally forgot about her existence in the Troupe and only noted how bad Nayuta was performing and singing. Even then I didn't recognise her. Finally I recalled she must have been somewhere in the Troupe, and by process of elimination I guessed it must have been her. Even then I didn't believe it and even double checked the role list. So, yes, she was really bad. Her acting was flat and all the important moments looked too deliberate, and her part in the 'Barbarian' band performance was not very good. While I could tolerate some other actresses I don't like, when it comes to Tsukishiro I cannot help thinking what she is doing in this troupe, and why.

And just one actress I would like to mention is a girl whom I didn't recognise and whom I really will have to check on! One of the ballet dancers was given a short aria when Aoyagi came to the school, and that was just a-w-e-s-o-m-e.
I also must praise that actresses acting as ballet dancers were actually performing ballet on the stage, and Manaki was even standing en pointes.

'Baddy'

probably compensated for everything lacking in 'Company'. This is the case when the revue is better than the first half.

A not-so-short summary (and yes, this revue has that what can be summarised):
On Earth, in a kingdom where all people are good and go to heaven after death, the prince and the princess of the royal family are admiring the Moon through a telescope, even though Moon is a big prison. They notice an explosion, which was supposedly caused by a notorious criminal called Baddy and his company of 'bad guys' (he is Baddy because he is bad, but you've surely noticed how this word reminds of 'buddy', a friend, colleague or member of a company). The policewoman, Goody, is looking after peace of Earth together with her supporters, including a broken-hearted guy who seeks her attention. When a quarrel is about to happen between the king and the queen, Goody helps settle it. Then, Baddy arrives with his followers, including his Sweetheart of an unknown sex (just when you think whether it be him or her, the characters explain that it's impossible to tell - and you settle down with it, haha). They start their adventures by breaking the ban on smoking. Goody tries to arrest Baddy several times, the most prominent one - during a presentation of seafood, where she pretends to be a scallop... o___O In a skirmish one of Baddy's followers is wounded, but the princess lends him her handkerchief, which marks the start of their relationship. Goody's friend ends up in the Baddy's quarters, where he learns evil and discovers his talent for passport forging. The bad guys sing and dance explaining how to be bad by extorting money from rich women, with some of them successful, some - not so much, and one of the followers, meeting the kind-hearted princess, refusing to take any money at all. When trying to capture Baddy, Goody learns about her friend changing sides, she then leaves the main target be and pursues her friend. Baddy suddenly realises he is offended by this, meanwhile Sweetheart notices this growing interest of Baddy and grieves he is no longer the 'dynamic and dangerous' man she (he?) admired. The royal family makes a deal with aliens about keeping some valuables in their bank, this decision overheard by Baddy. He then reminds himself he is kinda bad and decides to steal the treasure. Wearing a wig and pretending to be one of the aliens, he lures the code from another banker and removes the whole safe together with the prince and the princess on the platform. Goody, who was about to fall for Baddy's charm, realises she feels humiliated and outraged by this, and decides to pursue the bad company to another planet where they have fled. After a large-scale fight the children are rescued, but the friend of Goody is shot. He dies in the arms of Sweetheart, who says he is the real 'dynamic and dangerous' guy. All others manage to escape, but Goody and Baddy, though stick with their principles, cannot let go of each other, and it is said they never returned from that planet. Some time later they are seen in heaven, where Baddy finds himself surprised to be, and upon hearing the fact he hurries up to start smoking. By the way, the role of the cigarettes is played by the indispensable shan-shan.

If you could help me find the right word to describe it, I would appreciate it, but for the lack of it I should call it 'trippy'. The fantasy setting, the crazy costumes, the weird concept of all the characters, the bad Baddy and the cute Goody, and androgynous Sweetheart, the grey-faced aliens-bankers, the good guy suddenly discovering his talent for forging passports, the dance of the seafoods... The number with Goody and cancan girls dancing to the song describing her hatred and determination was one of the best musumeyaku numbers I have seen in my life. And finally, the energetic otokoyaku dance and passionate dance of the Top combi make up greatly for the dullness of the musical. If you wanted hotness here is some. One important correction: I don't and I never will recognise Tamaki as a cool character or a 'bad' one. Villainous villains are out of her way. The first half of the show was partially unclear to me until I saw some development in Baddy that led to the ending as it was.

To my relief, there were good songs and melodies in the revue, and singing of all performers was very good with some parts really difficult. Now that I recall the revue, it was probably the most strange, unusual, unique revues I've seen - and I like it! The costumes were also different from what you'd expect, and I insist they were very beautiful.

It's not very good, maybe, that I haven't been watching much of Takarazuka lately, but this gap enabled me to appreciate how Tamaki and Chapi have grown as performers - as actors, as dancers, and as singers, which impressed me most.

p. s. I must mention Rurika's Sweetheart again. With every performance I respect her more and more. While I didn't like her face very much it might have influenced my general opinion of her, but her charisma reaches the farthest rows of seats so easily, her characters stand out so much, her presence is so big that I started to feel admiration for her without realising it.

If I could have a ticket for half price and see only the revue, I would go to watch 'Baddy' again!

'Classic Takarazuka Dance. A Guide to the Future. TAKARAZUKA Flower Poems 100!!' ~ fly me to the Moon

First of all, this was gorgeous.

Classic Takarazuka Dance. Flower poems
It is supposed to be a remake on the legendary Flower poems version #1, but I didn't really care, because I'm not a fan to that extent. And the 'classic' is not simply a word here. This IS classics. A parade of perfection.
The flower theme goes through the whole show. Do you know any words that contain the poetic kanji for 'flower' 華?
華やか - gorgeous
華麗 - wonderful
豪華 - splendour
These are all the words that I could use to describe the show.
I don't know whether my favourite number would be the one showing the continuity of generations

or the traditions kept in a perfect shape

or the golden shining of the stage

I'd say that singing Japanese native songs always reveal how talented and skillful is a sienne in singing. And I'd say that miss Touka was extremely good at it.

But well, not only miss Touka surprised me. There were lots of different changes on the stage. Who is this lovely lady?

And this cute young miss?

And who is this?

And... o___O

 And where did you move the Grand stairs?

And how long does it take to bake a cake like thike this?

- What do you want from me?

- TWAS SO FUNNY MASAOOOO!

Now this was passionate. Oh, and I understand completely why the prices are so high in Quatre. Just imagining how much this costs...

Now this is not for very young girls. Imagine what kind of dress they would ask for when they have to go to the graduation party ten years later.

At least, I would die if I saw it in my childhood...

By the way, I found it a bit strange that they used such flowers for the song:
Tamaki Ryou - marguerite (ok... a plain but nice flower)

Miya Rurika - cattleya (what's that? never heard of. maybe I misheard?)

Nagina Ruumi - queen of the night (well I love it's shape but why is a song?)

Saou Kurama - forget-me-not (at least the last two are more poetic)

Seijou Kaito - sunflower
The only borrowed melodies I could recognise were 'Caravan' used in the scene about a young priest being seduced by a huge group of hot ladies,

and 'La vie en rose', used in the number with girls-roses and miss Ryuu is those huge white feathers

Guide to the future
I mean, seriously, have you seen Touka and Seijou together? If not, you should.
'I was so silly when it comes to men... If only I were more fastidious... If I were... I would miss my chance to get married!'

Darling!

Huh?

'Oops... Today was the day of filming for the DVD! Please, cut out what I've just said!'

conclusion

I wouldn't recommend 'Flower poems' to beginners. Too much 'japonisme'. However, if you've seen enough to be prepared to fly to the other side of the Moon...

'PUCK' & 'Crystal Takarazuka' ~ how to make your friend a Takarazuka fan

First of all, this is what I learnt from a friend working in the Grand Theatre. Though this is the order in which I learnt the facts, it is also an attempt to think it over while I'm writing.

1. The next Top Star of the Star will be miss Hokushou. That's no news for anybody who follows Takarazuka's life. The reason miss Makaze (or miss Kurenai?) was not chosen is that she doesn't look handsome enough and there are people who dislike their appearance.

2. On the contrary, Mirio is very beautiful. I can't disagree, because I like her type of appearance very much, too, though I wouldn't really compliment that in first place, like my friend did. The Japanese really do care a lot about a sienne's face.

3. And the reason why miss Hokushou is to become the Star's Top only now is that though she was originally popular in Moon, she couldn't become a Top because there was miss Ryuu, a daughter to a rich family. That's why they let miss Hokushou escape to Superiors and wait there for a while. That's what the rumour says, but even though a rumour, it is a very certain one.

4. It is a common-spread thing that the Tops are there not 'accidentally'. The only ones among the recent Top Stars who achieved their position thanks to their ability are miss Sou from Snow and miss Ranju from Flower.

5. Moreover, miss Ryuu has a high voice which makes many spectators regret that she's not manly enough.

6. Moreover, Moon Troupe as a whole is also bad at singing. They have bad pronounciation, too, which makes elder visitors of the Theatre complain sometimes that they couldn't understand what the actresses were saying.

I wonder why it is exactly mss Ranju and Sou for whom my admiration is limited to respect only, because they really failed to capture my heart even once.

Not that I thought that they are really allowed to become a Top for free. But it kinda... hurts. I mean, I could agree if I heard that a Top-Star-to-be, already chosen by her skills, is asked to make a 'small contribution'. Not vice versa.

1) Puck

Story and characters

There's nothing to say. Puck is one of my favourite musicals in Zuka, because it's so funny, so strange and so touching. And because of Suzukaze Mayo, too, because she created all that initial impression of the musical itself.

It happened so that both musicals we saw were based on Shakespeare's plays. Very loosely... And even though Shakespeare is not my cup of tea, I wouldn't mind drinking 'Puck' again (how was that? a nice phrase I made huh?).

Acting

Now comes the main part. *taking deep breath*

I was not very happy when I heard miss Ryuu would play Puck. It wasn't her type, I thought. It was for Suzukaze, it wasn't for Ryuu. She was still that villain Jacques in my mind. She could do Romeo credibly, too, I thought.

Everything changes with the first note that she utters after appearing on stage. She's not a bad copy of Suzukaze. She isn't a completely new version ruining the original charm of the character. She's just another Puck. Cute Puck. Mischievous Puck. Then suffering Puck. Then poor Puck. Then kind, good boy Puck. My Japanese friend said that 'Puck' is a 'very-happy-ending' enjoyable musical. I wonder if that counts as a 'very happy end', but it's not a tragedy either.

And what can I say? I don't agree that they are bad at singing. Puck's aria or Hermia's song, or just one number of Tytania meeting Bobby - sung by mss Touka and Tamaki - is enough to hear that.

I didn't feel it was hard to understand them, either. My friend would say that's because I'm young and have no problems with hearing, but I'm not Japanese and still only a small percentage of words stay incomprehensible to me when I try to write the script down.

I can't say they are bad actresses. When miss Miya starts joking about her billiard playing being so unusual because of the Christmas Eve, and you understand that's obviously ad lib because it IS the Christmas Eve, when Puck looks at his hands that have just touched Hermia's, when both guys fall in love with Helen after Puck cast a spell on them, it may touch you, or it may fail to do so, but it's the real acting.

I was actually sad and distressed when I heard all those things from my friend. However, it doesn't matter anymore. It's not important anymore, because this I know for sure: after coming to the hotel at midnight having travelled with a heavy bag and getting lost while trying to go to a convenient store, after a difficult getting up in the morning, and after even the breakfast failed to make me feel energetic, it was the Moon Troupe that fixed me. 

Music
It was 90s. A time drowning in pop'n'rock. If you listen to Masao's voice when she sings the first song after Puck was born, or to 'Growing up', or to 'Just say dance tonight', you'll hear Okui Masami, Shiina Hekiru, Mazda Julia in there. (upd: I've just read that 'Midsummer Eve' was specially written by Matsutoya Yumi, so you'll probably hear her there, too)

2) 'Crystal Takarazuka'
I'd say it wasn't the best show I've ever seen. It didn't become my favourite either. I didn't even buy the CD. First of all, I was a bit disappointed by the main theme. It was not bad, it was as energetic, GENKI, as always, but I can't help comparing it with 'Dance Romanesque'. And it lost.
Other than that, I really liked one number, the one about marionettes, except for the fact it doesn't have a happy ending >___<
Still, I enjoyed very much both the dolls dancin' part and the duo dance, coupled by... Coldplay. Wow. Takarazuka even borrows things like that...

The other two pieces I recognised were 'Bamboleo' by Tamaki Ryou

and 'Misirlou' used in the fight between Coppelius and mr Detective, just before 'Viva la vida'

the latter, I must confess, I only recognised thanks to it being used in The Black Eyed Peas' song 'Pump It' (had to google for it).
I guess I could also recognise the 'gypsy' main theme, but it appears to be a bit hard to find how it's called. I'm also pretty sure the otokoyaku stairs dance was accompanied by a variation on some classical piece, but I just can't remember what it is.
If you ask me what seat to choose when buying tickets with a limited budget, I'd say - buy A seats on the balcony, row #8 in the Grand Theatre and #7 in Tokyo. It's the first row after a wide aisle connecting the right and the left sides of the balcony. Why those seats? Haha. Try yourself.
By the way, I was sitting 2 rows behind, and still the impression was deep.
I mean, just a metre away from Chinami Karan or Kanoha Toki giving high five to those who were sitting in front of them...
I guess I spilt it out.
And the point I cannot miss - Top Combi. It was the first time I've seen the current Combi and I was afraid I'd dislike it, but I was wrong. I think I might like them less if I saw them earlier, when they were still not 'used' to each other, but now they are a good couple. I like it extremely how Reika looks at Ryuu whenever possible - in all dances where she has at least some interaction with her, and even during the dancing numbers in the Grand Sports Day. If KiriMari were an unusual Combi, then Reika is a very typical nice, tender, cute musumeyaku. And why don't I hate her? Probably because she's very natural, with no shadow of showing-off, no attempts to make the audience actually notice how she's trying to behave in a cute way, and first of all, because there is no part of her body she'd spare for her performance, not a single piece of her soul she's not laying down on a tray to present to the audience. She gives all she has to those who watch her, and I can see that. The one thing that still bothers me is that they're not as close as I wish them to be in, like, Top Combi duet dance, etc. After 2 years together I'd like them to be clinging to each other, and they still aren't.
As for the young siennes who made their appearance in the usual 'boys band singing and dancing number' in the middle of the show, I can't really understand well why Ryou is so promoted, especially on part of her vocals. She's a good girl and she'll do well, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed her voice very much. I also feel sorry for mss Uzuki and Shimon who are not getting as much attention than they used to, and whom I would really praise for her vocals in this 'pop group' is ms Akatsuki.
Apart from them, my favourite vocalists would be mss Seijou and Saou. I'd drown in their voices...

Conclusion

How to make your friend a Zuka fan? Try to guess. Well, she's into musicals in general. And she is interested in what a 'revue' is like in Japan. Still, she wouldn't watch what you tell her 'just because'.

And then you just take her with you to see it live.

upd. after watching the dvd version

- Puck, get on this swing
- can I, lord Oberon?
- of course, it's made-to-order for you!
- wow thanks!
- and now fly up!
- fly-fly, shrimp-fry!
- it's not THAT fry...
- oops...
- now be gone with the wind!
- ok, I'll think about that tomorrow!

- huh? why is there no applause?

IMHO. Kiriya Hiromu Dinner Show 'Grand Dreamer' ~ is there life after Takarazuka

when I am in a pinch, nothing is better that something Takarazuka related

they say, when one has to do a lot of hard work, 'tis better to divide it into parts and periodically award yourself with something. I am not fond of this theory, but there is no doubt that everybody has to relax somehow

show
why would a person watch dinner shows? of course, unlike regular performances, the reason, meseems, would be that the show is lead by one's favourite sienne. what else? maybe one may want to see another kind of Takarazuka performances and understand Takarazuka Revue better. maybe one would want to look at another, non-lead sienne. all these motives are united by the fact that a dinner show creates a special atmosphere, different from other performances - something very intimate, unofficial, unstrained
together with Kiriya there were 4 siennes - Isshiki and Aoki as retiring members, as well as Miyako and Touka. after having a chance to see them in such relaxed atmosphere, I love them even more, especially miss Yurino. she is absolutely adorable. Isshiki and Aoki too, showed their 'human' sides

unlike what I expected, the show was a masterpiece of entertainment and mood-making. almost all numbers were chosen so that they would lighten up the mood of the guests and almost all songs were creating positive atmosphere. even 'Kitsch' had its lyrics rewritten to create a funny situation with a mug Kiriya was holding during the song

only 'yami ga hirogaru' and a few other songs were serious. after listening to all of them I can say one thing for sure. no Western musical in its original form will ever impress me, from now on. you must see for yourself how great the siennes are - in regards to singing, in regards to acting - even if they participate not in a Grand performance, but only in a small entertaining dinner show

only one thing makes me wonder about the phenomenon of Takarazuka Revue. look at who are most of the fans. yes, young women are pretty rare

be it how it may, the performance was very beautiful and rich in costumes, even though chamber

music

is there any way to change your opinion on a song? hear it sung by your favourite sienne. this is what happened with 'Fly Me to the Moon'. the fast jazz arrangement and incredible score for five singers made it into a wonderful pleasant song, unlike what it seemed to me in its original version
 

conclusion

only by looking at the disc cover I was already all tears and smiling happily
'listen,  wipe your tears and smile
I will always be by your side...'

my little thoughts on RomiJuri 2012

I have to face the fact that Moon is changing, and not only the things like Top, n-bante will be different from April, 23rd, but also the other roles

of course, I still adore many of the Moon, but I need time to get used to this new structure

and of course, RomiJuri is not a performance which settles the positions once and forever, but at least I should try to draw some conclusions
Ema-sama, Koshino-sama and Hanase-sama are quite predictable in their roles

I was slightly surprised seeing Touka-san as a mother of Capulet. well, taking into account the time she spent in the troupe, she is probably moving to the 'next category'. though the lady was obviously quite young - remember the times when RomiJuri takes place. still, the role is of a certain kind. well, if I liked RomiJuri in general, I would wish for no better Capulet mother than Touka-san
Seijou-san as Benvolio is not something I clearly imagine, but that would be an interesting thing to see especially after her very credible Ernest in 'Edward VIII', a womanizer and quite a greedy person, as I see him
Miya-san is cute. everybody acknowledges that. I do, too. almost every time I saw her photo I thought how cute she is. this, however, does not say anything about her acting skills, and I never ever noticed her on the stage as an actress with particularly memorable ability. seeing her transferred to Moon I wonder if she is going to merge with Moon or be the odd one out. hope my fear is groundless and my feeling is a usual jealousy
Shimon-san as Paris. well, I believe she would cope with this task successfully, but I still cannot understand her fast promotion while my favourite Sawaki-chan being so unnoticed. well, yes, this love for her is unexplainable and I should face the inevitable retiring of hers and cheer up for Shimon impartially. when she comes closer to the center spot I shall see her clearly and I hope she will prove to be a good actress
Tamaki-san will be a great Death, I am sure. though I almost hate her even more for her even faster promotion than that of Shimon-san. only 4 years and already 2 shinjinkouens. well, I did not see her, I cannot judge about her, I should not claim she does not deserve this. this is just my internal anxiety, which will not subside no matter how I try to suppress it
Akizuki-san as Love. I am sorry... this tall and strong girl as Love? erm... is this an attempt to show that Love is not that fragile and it will win for sure? o___O
the inevitable process of promotion and growth, change and surprises... I should have the strength to accept this
I shall only pray that everything goes smooth and everybody is successful in their roles

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?