Lazy Takarazuka kind of weekend

[yukinojou]

For the past three days it's been cold and raining almost constantly. Two thunderstorms so far. In other words, the sort of weather to curl up under a duvet with a book or a DVD, or both.

Liza Dalby: East Wind Melts the Ice

I've loved both Liza Dalby's original Geisha book and her novel Tale of Murasaki, which encouraged me to finally tackle the Tale of Ginji (long past time). This is why I fell on East Wind Melts the Ice. In Tale, there is an aside of Murasaki wondering about an ancient Chinese almanac she finds; in East Wind, Liza Dalby takes the same almanac and presents herself through the units. It's arcane and personal and anthropological at once, and it's perfect peaceful reading. Underlying it all is a philosophy of attachment to seasonal changes and to nature, which I try to follow as well. Maybe I should construct a version for Poland, with chicory flowers and sparrows and summer storms?

Takarazuka Cosmos Troupe: Jose and Carmen

Jose and Carmen is sometimes called the most sensual Takarazuka show ever - chiefly because it's the only one I've seen so far that actually shows the main pair getting into bed together ;) Asato Shizuki is shining as ever, but Mari Hanafusa as Carmen stunned me. I'm used to her perfect-musumeyaku softness, and yet she was a blazing Carmen, wild and fey and acknowledging no limits. Youka Wao spends most of the time as the narrator, but she has a brilliant cameo as Carmen's husband, the closest you can imagine to a male version of Carmen's own wildness. And Kozuki Wataru's Don Camillio... okay, she's just having the most fun possible. I think it helps that she knows she can outdance the rest of the troupe combined, and does so in the obligatory Rockettes number in the revue ;) It's a 1999 show with the first line-up of Cosmos, and they all shine.

(Props also go to half-symbolic sets. Roses all the way.)

Across (Kozuki Wataru Dancing Recital)

It's no secret I love Takarazuka Bow Hall shows to pieces - they seem intimate and even more fun than the big revues. Across is no exception: Kozuki Wataru shines. Still, after her bubbliness in Jose and Carmen, I found her rather tired-looking at times. I think it's something that shows on all Top Stars just before retirement; there's only so long they can follow their gruelling schedules without breaking. She's propped up by a stunning line-up of musumeyaku. Hana Hizuki in particular stunned me.

Albatross, Go South!

I was expecting to adore Albatross, Go South! - after all, it's Bow Hall, it's Snow Troupe, and it's Komu. I was not prepared for how much I'd like it.

It's the perfect mix of comedy and drama and dancing, and the perfect vehicle for Komu's shine. It's the smallest show I've seen, with just three otokoyaku (Komu, Kei Otozuki and Yuuki Mirai - Aqua 3? ^_~) and four musumeyaku, which sometimes necessitates truly lightning-fast costume changes. Uncharacteristically, the longest dramatic line is in the second act; apart from it, there are sketches and dance numbers, including the infamous sketch with Komu as a hapless geek who brings Aphrodite's statue to life. Included are also snippets of famous shows Komu played in. I think I need to track down Anna Karenina with her as Vronsky.

And then there is the dancing. There are various tastes but for me, from an artistic standpoint, Komu is hands-down the best. She dances as the albatross, and you can see her wings.

(Plus I remain amazed at how someone so tiny and fine-boned can command the stage like that. It's like she turns on a lightbulb inside her head. I cannot wait to see her as Elisabeth. There will be DVDs? Right? Pretty please?)

Comments

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

By the way, I introduced a number of Terminus people to Elisabeth and also Takarazuka by way of YouTube. I think I've made some converts. ^_^

[winter]

It's amazing how fast the contagion spreads :> I got infected just two years ago and now I have just hit the 50-shows mark.

[mayoini.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, I want to go and see Takarazuka..... :o

[winter]

Yes, you do :D There's nothing sparklier on Earth, believe me.

[dance-teacher.livejournal.com]

Hi, I am real Takarazuka and Elisabeth addict from Russia. When I found your LJ, I was happy to read it. It`s so informative and interesting! I had also read you have all Elisabeth versions.. Have you?

[winter]

Almost all :) I have DVDs of all European productions except the Finnish, Swedish and Swiss, and I have almost all Takarazuka performances - I'm missing the shinjinkoen for Star, Cosmos and the new Snow production.

[dance-teacher.livejournal.com]

And what about Toho? =)
It`s so rare... Shinjinkoen... I have only original videos of all troupes. You are happy. What shinjinkoen do you like best?

[winter]

Oh, and 4 Toho DVDs :> I'm still looking for one with Shinji Takeda... I know someone who has it, but he's can't trade right now. It's frustrating.

All shinjinkoen are lovely, of course, but I like the Moon one the best. Ayana Oto plays Lucheni, and she's a great, crazy terrorist - it's almost like watching Todoroki Yu again.

[demoneyeskyo87.livejournal.com]

Oh I really wanted to see Jose & Carmen from them so much ever since that clip with Zunko and Hana during the bed scene leaked on Youtube long ago, plus this is a show where everyone says that Hana is at her best though I am with the league of Zuka members that loved her Elisabeth as well since its a different interpretation from the European versions that we're all accustomed to.

I cannot wait to see her as Elisabeth. There will be DVDs? Right? Pretty please?

I hope for a 2 Disc recording with Bonus Tracks of the alternate casting or either a recording with Kaname or Komu as highlights.

[winter]

Knowing Toho, a new CD is a must :) I love the fact they put out cast recordings at the drop of a hat. My bet would be on two recordings, actually, the way they put out the Orange and Purple ones before for Yamaguchi and Uchino.