Takarazuka Journal

From Graph, June 2009

Dream Talk
Illustrations/Text: 芦沢仁

Volume 6
Ryuu Masaki

( Theater starts with the anticipation, joy, of receiving a role, but there is sure to be suffering, after which you begin to see the light, then you hit a wall again... It's a common refrain. But when that suffering turns into pleasure, that is the moment when I'm most free. Because of that moment, I could never quit as a performer. )

Young Bloods!! -Sparkling Moon-
2006 Moon Troupe, Bow Workshop

Leads: Ryu Masaki & Shirahana Remi

[ Takarazuka Wikipedia ]

I could have sworn I did a review of this show last year, but I did a thorough check when I reorganized my tags last week, and I couldn't find it anywhere. *fail*

( Summary: )

What I Thought:

Masaki and Remi are really the cutest combi ever, and I remain sad that they didn't get paired up for either of Masaki's shinko leads. I really, really can't wait for the Roma shinko to be broadcast in its entirety. <3

That said, the first act didn't really have anything resembling a plot, and what plot there was didn't call for huge amounts of quality acting. I guess they didn't really want to challenge the extremely young cast. Still, it was easy to see here the maturity and professionalism that so many people have remarked upon in surprise when they went to see Masaki's shinjinkouen performances. She's very calm and collected, and not nervous at all. <3 Still, "maturity" might be an odd word choice for the character she plays, as the opening number between the bratty RYU and the bratty REMI reveals. It's a silly show, but with some real gems in the otokoyaku trying to seduce Remi, and the musumeyaku having their competition for Masaki. This is the show that made me notice Kouzuki Ruu, Ryuuki Kazuto, and a lot of other babies.

The real reason I love this performance, however, is the second act. They had some great songs, and it really highlighted Masaki's strong point -- her singing. Her "All That Jazz" makes me weak in the knees. *grin* She doesn't seem like a ken-6 at all. The Indian Dance number is interesting, and Masaki and Mihou Aya's tango is absolute and complete love. In fact, I loved every number to death. The one big weak point was the fact that the rest of the cast was vocally weak, so some of the choruses suffered.