The Blue Sky of Provence
May. 5th, 2007 10:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ekusudeiBeware! It's the Return of the Old Review Format! (Just 'cause.)
I kinda felt like Rika looked after I finished this show...
The Blue Sky of Provence
Moon Troupe Drama City, 1999
Leads: Shibuki Jun & Mihara Shiho
[ TakaWiki Page ]
Cast:
Summary:
Act One
After much searching, Philippe finds his friend Andre in a harbor tavern. Andre is not happy to be found, and tries to drive his friend away. How can he return home after what he has done? Who can forgive him? He can't forgive himself...
The younger, and happier, Andre and Philippe are the best of friends, sharing everything, supporting each other in everything. One day, Andre meets a beautiful woman who refuses to give him her name. It is only later, at a party thrown by his mother, that he learns she is Germaine Nansère, wife of one of his father's business acquaintances. The two start a fiery love affair. Meanwhile, Andre's friend Antoine is depressed over a woman he can't forget. He runs off to Spain with his girlfriend, leaving Andre the keys to his flat and the instructions to use it freely. Andre and Germaine use it as a place for their trysts. Rumors spread all over town, reaching even her husband's ears. He removes her to the country. Antoine returns, and finds a wallet with Germaine's name on it in his flat. He confronts Andre. Germaine, it turns out, is the woman Antoine can't forget.
Andre, meanwhile, despite the pleading of his family to pull himself together and find some direction, chooses instead to follow Germaine and her husband out into the country. Germaine, as a friend of his mother's, agrees to help further Andre's education. But her husband finds them together one day. He challenges Andre to a duel. During the duel, Andre kills Auguste. Andre is thrown into prison. While there, his ill father passes away. He joins the French Foreign Legion and flees to a post in Africa, which he describes as "hell". He spends seven alcohol-soaked years there before unexpectedly meeting a family friend one day. Claude tries to talk some sense into Andre, who should never have been just a common soldier. While sharing news from home, he mentions that Philippe had married three or four years previous. When Andre finds out that Philippe has married Germaine, he goes berserk.
Act Two
Three more years pass, and finally Andre can't resist any more. He is drawn home, to Provence. There he treats Philippe coldly, unable to forgive his friend for marrying Germaine, and yet unable to tell him so. He is bitter and short-tempered with his family and the tenants. He discovers that his cousin Edith is only a shadow of her former self. She married an abusive man, who later passed away, and never quite recovered. Her stepdaughter, Anne Marie, takes care of her now. Another new member to the scene is Andre's sister Louise's boyfriend, a somewhat arrogant young man named Alan. Andre cuts the young cadet down to size not once, but multiple times, and Alan vows his revenge.
There are already rumors in the town of Germaine playing with other young men, even before Andre returns. He refuses to visit Philippe at home, and Philippe is distressed because Germaine has also said she doesn't want to see Andre again. And yet, Germaine sends her maid to arrange a secret meeting with Andre, on Friendship Island, an old island off the coast that Philippe and Andre played on as boys. Anne Marie overhears the conversation, and is captivated by the idea of an island called "Friendship Island", but Louise tells her it's too dangerous to go and play on.
Andre goes to meet Germaine. The two admit that they can't forget one another, but Andre is adamant that he will not do anything to cause his friend pain. He does, however, promise to call on them. Suddenly they are interrupted by shouting. There is a search party out for Anne Marie. Andre joins in, and is the first to find the girl. She talks to him about hating herself for her father, how happy she had been to have a new mother (her own passed away when she was seven), and how terrible it was to see what her father did to Edith. Andre reassures her that they are family now, and she is always welcome.
Edith, we later learn, has always been in love with Andre. In her unbalanced state, she hates Germaine, and hates that Germaine married Philippe. When Germaine pays her a call, asking her to be more cheerful and like her normal self so that Philippe isn't so worried about her, Edith accuses Germaine of being a demon, and tells her to leave before she ruins anything else.
Andre follows through on his promise to call on Philippe and Germaine. Shortly thereafter, however, he has returned to his bottle. Philippe comes and argues and pleads with him to stop his behavior, but Andre isn't sensible. At last, Philippe pointedly mentions that he will be away from home until morning, and then leaves. Unable to stop himself, Andre goes to see Germaine, and the two become lovers again.
Later, at his aunt's birthday party, Andre accompanies Germaine. They dance together, and then in front of the entire crowd, he kisses Germaine. The town is thrown into uproar over his behavior. Edith disappears, taking a gun with her. The horrified household goes in search of her, worried about what she might do to Germaine. Andre, meanwhile, arranges with Germaine to elope. Alan overhears them, and arranges for Philippe to find them in the forest just as they are about to leave.
Faced with this situation, Philippe challenges Andre to a duel, but just as Germaine starts to plead with them Edith comes out of the trees and shoots Germaine. She dies in her husband's arms. Andre flees Provence.
It is this Andre that Philippe has found once more. The two men remember what has gone between them, but Philippe tells Andre that now, more than ever, the only thing he has left to believe in is their friendship. Andre plans a long, far voyage. His ship is leaving even as they speak. But he says that one day he hopes to return to the blue sky of Provence....
What I Thought:
This isn't my favorite Rika show by a long shot. It's not a bad show; it's just not the kind of setting and plot that really appeals to me. In a way, the complete depression of this show reminds me of the early 70s shounen ai manga like "Kaze to Ki no Uta", and I never really got into those either. How much depression and schoolboy angst do you need? I was surprised, because compared to the many copies of "Buenos Aires no Kaze", this video is relatively rare in auctions. But I guess it calls out more to the Japanese fans. Heck, maybe a lot of you would really love this show too.
I was also terribly disappointed that they had all this vocal talent and didn't take advantage of it. Mihara Shiho didn't get a single solo, and only one duet with Rika; a rather lack-luster song. Similarly, Hatsukaze Midori didn't get a solo either, only one really obnoxious song with the other schoolboys at the very beginning. The songs themselves were mostly reworked Sondheim, and while not performed badly, weren't really that great either.
As for the story itself, blah. I wanted to hit Shibuki Jun's character. Often. Grow up! Get over her and get a life. Stop being such a selfish brat. Andre is a completely selfish, completely unsympathetic character. I don't care how often the other characters talk about his "pure soul". He's a spoiled brat parading as a man. I was so glad when Kuni Natuski finally did give him a good slap. Her character as the aunt trying to talk some sense into the rowdy child was a fun role for her. Similarly, I don't think I was supposed to be happy when Mihara Shiho's character Germaine got shot. But she was another completely selfish, completely whorish character who ruined two sweet husbands. And, er, I kind of wanted to slap Gaichi's Philippe as well. Particularly at the end. What the hell? This guy tried to elope with your wife and got her shot. Philippe was too naive and innocent and just altogether a nails-on-the-chalkboard character.
So many fun actresses in this cast I can't mention them all, but Ozora Yuuhi's Alan was adorable. A total jerk, who really deserved that punch in the face that Philippe gave him, but still oh-so-adorable. I really enjoyed Taiju Maki's Antoine, but he sort of disappeared half-way through the first act. The same with Narumi Jun's Elie. Kanou Chika was adorable and innocent and yet so angry at the same time. I can never tell if her complicated characters are supposed to be so complicated, or if some of her own personality is spilling over from time to time. Ryouga Haruhi's roles made me giggle, because she was trying so hard to be bad-ass. Kitajima Mami's Edith was a very pleasant surprise. I think she may have been my favorite character in the play. And I spotted youngest underclassman Shirahane Yuri darting around as a housemaid. :)
Rika is a whimsical schoolboy with crimpy hair. I approve.
Takigawa Sueko showed up quite a lot too! She had some fun characters. Mihara Shiho was lovely in every scene.
Rika was drunk and/or crazy quite a lot.
Ayura Kao was an old man. This makes Jen very, very, very sad. :( But Narumi Jun was very cute and full of energy.
While Gabe fell into convulsions over Mayama Haru's goatee, I was cracking up over Shijou Rui attempting to look dignified and more than three-years-old.
Ahi and Yuuhi also went military.
And again, because crimpy, sad Yuuhi must be enjoyed to its fullest.
Chika was very adorable, and Kitajima Mami was very... crazy.
Kuni Natsuki for Lucia. And Gaichi, ready to throw down that glove.
And last, but certainly not least, one rather redeeming scene wherein Rika proceedes to bury her face in Komo-chan's bosom and not come out for a good 40 seconds (not that I'm timing it or anything). And there was one-handed choker removing and more heaving bosoms. Very amusing.
I kinda felt like Rika looked after I finished this show...
The Blue Sky of ProvenceMoon Troupe Drama City, 1999
Leads: Shibuki Jun & Mihara Shiho
[ TakaWiki Page ]
Cast:
| Role | 1999 Cast | 2001 Cast | |
| Andre Movare (a young man who wants to be a diplomat) | |||
| Philippe Javert (Andre's best friend from the same town of Provence) | |||
| Germaine Nansère (wife of Auguste) | |||
| Alan Claviere (military cadet. Louise's boyfriend) | |||
| Alexandre Movare (Andre's father. head ofa amaritime company) | Ban Akira | Isono Chihiro | |
| Catherine de Sarnier (Alexander's younger sister. A flower of high society) | Kuni Natsuki | Mimi Anri | |
| Simone Movare (Andre's mother) | Rika Masumi | Kou Akemi | |
| Auguste Nansère (A work friend of Alexander's) | Mayama Haru | Ritsu Tomomi | |
| Edith Rancurou (Catherine's niece. Andre's cousin) | Kitajima Mami | Honami Aria | |
| Antoine Versins (Andre's school friend. wants to be a painter) | |||
| Elie Dorvet (Andre's school friend who wants to be a poet) | Narumi Jun | none | |
| Anne-Marie (Edith's stepdaughter) | Kanou chika | Hanase Mizuka | |
| Claude Bourget (eldest child of the Bourgets. Officer in the Foreign Legion) | |||
| Louise Movare (Andre's sister) | Mamiya Yuki? | Amano Hotaru | |
| Bastien (old man in the tavern) | Ayura Kao | Koshino Ryuu | |
| Jean Mallard (Andre's friend) | Ayura Kao | Arika Jun | |
| Jaque Domein (Andre's friend) / Michel (tenant farmer) | |||
| Guy (tenant farmer) | |||
| Anette Cotone (cleaning woman) | Takigawa Sueko | Memu Chisato? | |
| Alice (Antoine's girlfriend) / Laura (maid) | Ayadori Kanna? | Yukina Tsugumi | |
| Louis (head of the tenant farmers) | |||
| Verdon Minaguel (expert marksman) / Sergeant Esmere (officer in the Foreign Legion) | Ryouga Haruhi | Kouki Subaru | |
| Suzanne (daughter of the tavern owner) | Ayane Eika? | Suzushiro Marina | |
| Albert (tavern owner) | Fuuga Minato | Asama Moyu | |
| Jules (butler to the Movares) | Akizuki Shou? | Kitajima Mami | |
| Rosine (maid) | Shirahane Yuri | Suzushiro Marina | |
| Vaneaux | Takigawa Sueko | Arika Jun | |
| Madame Bourget (a customer of the Movares) | Chigusa Kotomi? | ||
| Madame Leroy (a customer of the Movares) / Matthew (tenant farmer) | |||
| Madame Mirabeau (a customer of the Movares) / Therese (maid) | Kanon Shiori? | Otoki Sunao | |
| Meta (tenant farmer) | Ayane Eika? | Chigusa Kotomi? | |
| correspondent | Moeki Ayato | Fuuga Minato | |
Summary:
Act One
After much searching, Philippe finds his friend Andre in a harbor tavern. Andre is not happy to be found, and tries to drive his friend away. How can he return home after what he has done? Who can forgive him? He can't forgive himself...
The younger, and happier, Andre and Philippe are the best of friends, sharing everything, supporting each other in everything. One day, Andre meets a beautiful woman who refuses to give him her name. It is only later, at a party thrown by his mother, that he learns she is Germaine Nansère, wife of one of his father's business acquaintances. The two start a fiery love affair. Meanwhile, Andre's friend Antoine is depressed over a woman he can't forget. He runs off to Spain with his girlfriend, leaving Andre the keys to his flat and the instructions to use it freely. Andre and Germaine use it as a place for their trysts. Rumors spread all over town, reaching even her husband's ears. He removes her to the country. Antoine returns, and finds a wallet with Germaine's name on it in his flat. He confronts Andre. Germaine, it turns out, is the woman Antoine can't forget.
Andre, meanwhile, despite the pleading of his family to pull himself together and find some direction, chooses instead to follow Germaine and her husband out into the country. Germaine, as a friend of his mother's, agrees to help further Andre's education. But her husband finds them together one day. He challenges Andre to a duel. During the duel, Andre kills Auguste. Andre is thrown into prison. While there, his ill father passes away. He joins the French Foreign Legion and flees to a post in Africa, which he describes as "hell". He spends seven alcohol-soaked years there before unexpectedly meeting a family friend one day. Claude tries to talk some sense into Andre, who should never have been just a common soldier. While sharing news from home, he mentions that Philippe had married three or four years previous. When Andre finds out that Philippe has married Germaine, he goes berserk.
Act Two
Three more years pass, and finally Andre can't resist any more. He is drawn home, to Provence. There he treats Philippe coldly, unable to forgive his friend for marrying Germaine, and yet unable to tell him so. He is bitter and short-tempered with his family and the tenants. He discovers that his cousin Edith is only a shadow of her former self. She married an abusive man, who later passed away, and never quite recovered. Her stepdaughter, Anne Marie, takes care of her now. Another new member to the scene is Andre's sister Louise's boyfriend, a somewhat arrogant young man named Alan. Andre cuts the young cadet down to size not once, but multiple times, and Alan vows his revenge.
There are already rumors in the town of Germaine playing with other young men, even before Andre returns. He refuses to visit Philippe at home, and Philippe is distressed because Germaine has also said she doesn't want to see Andre again. And yet, Germaine sends her maid to arrange a secret meeting with Andre, on Friendship Island, an old island off the coast that Philippe and Andre played on as boys. Anne Marie overhears the conversation, and is captivated by the idea of an island called "Friendship Island", but Louise tells her it's too dangerous to go and play on.
Andre goes to meet Germaine. The two admit that they can't forget one another, but Andre is adamant that he will not do anything to cause his friend pain. He does, however, promise to call on them. Suddenly they are interrupted by shouting. There is a search party out for Anne Marie. Andre joins in, and is the first to find the girl. She talks to him about hating herself for her father, how happy she had been to have a new mother (her own passed away when she was seven), and how terrible it was to see what her father did to Edith. Andre reassures her that they are family now, and she is always welcome.
Edith, we later learn, has always been in love with Andre. In her unbalanced state, she hates Germaine, and hates that Germaine married Philippe. When Germaine pays her a call, asking her to be more cheerful and like her normal self so that Philippe isn't so worried about her, Edith accuses Germaine of being a demon, and tells her to leave before she ruins anything else.
Andre follows through on his promise to call on Philippe and Germaine. Shortly thereafter, however, he has returned to his bottle. Philippe comes and argues and pleads with him to stop his behavior, but Andre isn't sensible. At last, Philippe pointedly mentions that he will be away from home until morning, and then leaves. Unable to stop himself, Andre goes to see Germaine, and the two become lovers again.
Later, at his aunt's birthday party, Andre accompanies Germaine. They dance together, and then in front of the entire crowd, he kisses Germaine. The town is thrown into uproar over his behavior. Edith disappears, taking a gun with her. The horrified household goes in search of her, worried about what she might do to Germaine. Andre, meanwhile, arranges with Germaine to elope. Alan overhears them, and arranges for Philippe to find them in the forest just as they are about to leave.
Faced with this situation, Philippe challenges Andre to a duel, but just as Germaine starts to plead with them Edith comes out of the trees and shoots Germaine. She dies in her husband's arms. Andre flees Provence.
It is this Andre that Philippe has found once more. The two men remember what has gone between them, but Philippe tells Andre that now, more than ever, the only thing he has left to believe in is their friendship. Andre plans a long, far voyage. His ship is leaving even as they speak. But he says that one day he hopes to return to the blue sky of Provence....
What I Thought:
This isn't my favorite Rika show by a long shot. It's not a bad show; it's just not the kind of setting and plot that really appeals to me. In a way, the complete depression of this show reminds me of the early 70s shounen ai manga like "Kaze to Ki no Uta", and I never really got into those either. How much depression and schoolboy angst do you need? I was surprised, because compared to the many copies of "Buenos Aires no Kaze", this video is relatively rare in auctions. But I guess it calls out more to the Japanese fans. Heck, maybe a lot of you would really love this show too.
I was also terribly disappointed that they had all this vocal talent and didn't take advantage of it. Mihara Shiho didn't get a single solo, and only one duet with Rika; a rather lack-luster song. Similarly, Hatsukaze Midori didn't get a solo either, only one really obnoxious song with the other schoolboys at the very beginning. The songs themselves were mostly reworked Sondheim, and while not performed badly, weren't really that great either.
As for the story itself, blah. I wanted to hit Shibuki Jun's character. Often. Grow up! Get over her and get a life. Stop being such a selfish brat. Andre is a completely selfish, completely unsympathetic character. I don't care how often the other characters talk about his "pure soul". He's a spoiled brat parading as a man. I was so glad when Kuni Natuski finally did give him a good slap. Her character as the aunt trying to talk some sense into the rowdy child was a fun role for her. Similarly, I don't think I was supposed to be happy when Mihara Shiho's character Germaine got shot. But she was another completely selfish, completely whorish character who ruined two sweet husbands. And, er, I kind of wanted to slap Gaichi's Philippe as well. Particularly at the end. What the hell? This guy tried to elope with your wife and got her shot. Philippe was too naive and innocent and just altogether a nails-on-the-chalkboard character.
So many fun actresses in this cast I can't mention them all, but Ozora Yuuhi's Alan was adorable. A total jerk, who really deserved that punch in the face that Philippe gave him, but still oh-so-adorable. I really enjoyed Taiju Maki's Antoine, but he sort of disappeared half-way through the first act. The same with Narumi Jun's Elie. Kanou Chika was adorable and innocent and yet so angry at the same time. I can never tell if her complicated characters are supposed to be so complicated, or if some of her own personality is spilling over from time to time. Ryouga Haruhi's roles made me giggle, because she was trying so hard to be bad-ass. Kitajima Mami's Edith was a very pleasant surprise. I think she may have been my favorite character in the play. And I spotted youngest underclassman Shirahane Yuri darting around as a housemaid. :)
Rika is a whimsical schoolboy with crimpy hair. I approve.
Takigawa Sueko showed up quite a lot too! She had some fun characters. Mihara Shiho was lovely in every scene.
Rika was drunk and/or crazy quite a lot.
Ayura Kao was an old man. This makes Jen very, very, very sad. :( But Narumi Jun was very cute and full of energy.
While Gabe fell into convulsions over Mayama Haru's goatee, I was cracking up over Shijou Rui attempting to look dignified and more than three-years-old.
Ahi and Yuuhi also went military.
And again, because crimpy, sad Yuuhi must be enjoyed to its fullest.
Chika was very adorable, and Kitajima Mami was very... crazy.
Kuni Natsuki for Lucia. And Gaichi, ready to throw down that glove.
And last, but certainly not least, one rather redeeming scene wherein Rika proceedes to bury her face in Komo-chan's bosom and not come out for a good 40 seconds (not that I'm timing it or anything). And there was one-handed choker removing and more heaving bosoms. Very amusing.
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