From article online at Sanspo: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/090619/gnj0906190505009-n1.htm
2009/06/19
From Star Troupe - Aran Kei's "Destined" Entry to Horipro
Aran Kei (38), former Star Troupe top star, who retired from the Takarazuka Revue in April and has since moved on to work as an actress, announced in an interview on the 18th that she has joined Horipro, the major entertainment company. She also announced that she will perform her first concert this December at Tokyo International Forum (the 16th - 20th) and Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater (23rd - 25th).
In fact, Horipro seems "destined", since she originally auditioned for the same company in the second year of Junior High. Ichimura Masachika (60) and Kaga Takeshi (58) are grand sempai from the same firm and she says she'll, "Grow a lot through their support." She's also interested in movies and dramas and, "If I could work with Kudou Kankurou or Mitani Kouki... I'd also love to work with Ninagawa Yukio at least once. There are a lot of challenges, and I want to be a superior actress," she said.
Aran came to the attention of Horipro, which is also powerful in the theater sphere, through her strong performance in the masterpiece "Scarlet Pimpernel", and they approached her last year. She signed with them on June 1st
Aran's interview went as follows.
Aran decided to join Horipro in May, after her retirement. "I received a referral to them during ‘Scarlet Pimpernel'. However, they were very considerate, and I thought what a warm company they must be. Until I retired from Takarazuka, I couldn't really consider it. After my graduation, I began to think about what I could do. I want to be on stage, and I want to sing. If I get the chance, I'd like to try movies too. There are a lot of things I'm interested in, so I thought Horipro would provide me with the challenge I need. "
In fact, when Aran was in her second year of junior high, auditioning with Horipro was an early life challenge. It only required attaching her photo to their application form, but looking back, "If it was show business, it had to be Horipro." That day, when they saw the official papers [from the company], her parents were opposed, and so she gave up on it. Grand sempai in the world of theater Ichimura Masachika (60) and Kaga Takesh (58) loomed large there. "I decided that there were many ways I can grow through the support of this company. It could give me the chance to do a show with (Ichimura or Kaga). Working in a place that those people are involved with brings me peace of mind."
Soon, her acting debut in the play "The Musical Aida" (Tokyo International Forum 8/29 - 9/13, Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater 9/18 - 10) was announced. But she's also interested in appearing in movies and dramas, "(Whether on screen or on stage) something with an interesting style, like if it could be Kudou Kankurou-san or Mitani Kouki-san. I love Ninagawa Yukio-san, so I won't let that slip away. I want to have the chance at least once," her thinking is nothing but broad. "In my Takarazuka years, I did a lot, so I hope to continue that. Like Action and such. Also, my friends have told me I'm suited for Variety [shows]. I love to laugh."
Known in Takarazuka for her singing skill, she wants to continue focusing on her voice. "I'd like to release a CD and have a concert every year. Later I'd like to do a Dinner Show." The material for her concert at the end of the year is not yet decided, but, "It will be my first concert since quitting Takarazuka. I want to put in works from Takarazuka, so hopefully it can have a feeling of both myself up till now, and the me from here on out."
It's now been two months since her retirement. Three days after her retirement, she had her ears pierced, "(Now) it's still really hard to control otokoyaku habits. (When I was a Takarazuka otokoyaku,) I couldn't wear mules or pumps. I didn't have any cute shoes, but (now) when I look at the shoes I'm wearing, I think, ‘Oh, they look like women's legs! (laughs) I've gotten so I can move on. (laughs) I haven't quite gotten the hang of the skirts yet. (laughs) Later, I think I have to work on the way I walk."
On the subject of her classmate, and former Flower Troupe top star, Haruno Sumire (36) and her marriage announcement, she gave her blessing. "I'm jealous, but I want her to be happy. She's someone who is very sweet on the inside, so I think she'll make a fantastic wife." As for herself, "I've only just started (this life as an actress), so I think I want to focus on that. It's not like I'm crossing it off, but (love) isn't really something I'm seeking out. I don't want to lose the time," she said in a way that suggests her work is perhaps her true love.
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