Ticket Pia
Top Otokoyaku Special Vol 1
Takarazuka Revue Show:Sakura/Secret Hunter
(Originally available online at http://info.pia.co.jp/et/play-m/zukaspecial/zukaspecial_sakura.html)
The new top otokoyaku of Star Troupe, Aran Kei. Star Troupe is known as a troupe where the performers have a distinctive individuality. Naturally, among them, the top star will be especially unique. A broad-minded otokoyaku with presence, a woman who aims high, she spoke with us about her debut performance.
---------In a lot of long-time fans, there’s a strong feeling of “Finally!” she’s become top otokoyaku.
Thank you. Of course, it was my dream to become a top otokoyaku. Because I had that dream, I tried my best for a long time. It’s pure happiness to have it come true. I’m so glad to be able to share the excitement with the audience members who’ve supported me all this time. But unknowingly, when I think of the Aran Kei up till now… It was really hard on me last year at the Theater Drama City run of my debut show “Hays Code” when I lost my voice, something that had never happened before.
----------How did you overcome that?
In the end it became a plus. My precious, steadfast colleagues in Star Troupe were kind enough to cover for me. The staff helped me a lot too, and fortunately it was over by the Grand Theater show. I was determined to be over it by then. Because so many of my colleagues helped me, I realized that until then I had been wearing myself out by trying too hard on my own. I understood once again that the troupe really is a family.
-------And how was that debut Grand Theater show?
As my first show, it was a good omen. “Sakura” is a traditional Japanese show, and I’ve done Japanese dramas before now, but this is the first time I’ve done a show like this. It was also the first “show” for the director, Tani Masazumi-sensei. And it was the debut show for the 93rd class.
------“Sakura” has exquisite costumes, doesn’t it?
Doesn’t it? This time Icchiku [not sure of the reading on this name] dressed us in flowers; it’s a great honor. But at first I was nervous. The costumer was nervous too. (laughs)
-------But doesn’t your body have to get used to the kimono?
Not at all. Since they’re fine kimono, they had the proper shape from the very beginning. They fit my body really well. The costumer even said they were easy to put on us – and I thought, “That’s quality…” But, to be honest, I’m not that good at Japanese dance [nihonbuyou], so everyday I was frantic. (laughs) The beginning is insane and backstage is a battlefield. The truth is, onstage is the part where I can go slowest. (laughs) But, from the bottom of my heart, I want to show the audience a traditional Japanese show like they can’t see anywhere but Takarazuka.
------- Also, “Secret Hunter” was the first Grand Theater play for the author/director, Kodama Akiko. After “Sakura,” the atmosphere is abruptly changed to a really funny suspense comedy set in 1940's Caribbean.
Right from the opening scene, it’s really fun. According to Kodama-sensei, she made it to express how everyone is starting from zero and groping upwards. I’m so happy to be able to share that feeling of unity with the audience and the whole theater.
-----Which is the scene that Aran Kei-san herself likes?
Which is it…? The scene where the protagonist, Dag, looks back at the old days in the church. Kodama-sensei saw a place like that when she went to the Caribbean, and I think it’s great that we could show it in one of the sets. That and, the dancing scene where the debuting performers do the percussion – I saw it during practice, but gradually they’ve found their own strength. Watching them grow brings back memories. After that, the “color.” The equipment sensei told me, “I haven’t done color like this before.” The colors overflow, and I truly want to enjoy that too.
Note: The original Japanese text used on this site is the property of the Takarazuka Revue and Hankyu Corporation. It is used without permission, with the intent of publicizing the revue to a larger audience.
The translations on this site were done by me. I reserve all applicable copyright on them and DO NOT give permission for them to be redistributed, published, retranslated, used as fansub scripts, etc.