Scarlet Pimpernel 2009 casting ~_~

[yukinojou]

So, Chauvelin and Armand are going to be role-switches between Masaki and Mirio. At least the schedule's less crazy than Elisabeth, with week-on, week-off (which both of them will need to recover their voices). I'm confident that Masaki will be fantastic, a little wary about how Mirio will manage a villain role, but

Dear Hankyu, if you already managed to cough up a proper top musumeyaku for Tsukigumi, would it kill you not to wait another year or more to resolve the M situation?

I mean, it's somewhat ridiculous, what with Morie, Masaki and Mirio all now upperclassmen with a solid schedule of leads, major roles etc. Of them all, I know my dear Morie is at a star-track disadvantage - she's an 85th, eldest of them, with least shinko leads (though I'll always adore her Death) and only one shared Bow lead that I really need to post a review for. I adore her smile, and I would be more than happy to have her get solid upperclassman roles forever, but *touches wood* there's a bad record for people who fall off star-track after being nominally on it, and she had that leg trouble in Last Play. Masaki got Hamlet!!, and Mirio is everywhere, but IMHO neither of them are quite ready for the demands of nibante roles - Masaki almost killed herself with Lucheni.

For what it's worth, my bets: Tsukigumi will finally get a transfer nibante from somewhere (Micchan coming back? One of the Flower girls?), and, on top of that, at least one between Masaki and Mirio will get transferred, probably Mirio. Morie... *crosses fingers SO firmly*

Comments

[everchangingmuse]

While I'm happy to see some love for Masaki and Mirio...I was really hoping to see Morie as Chauvelin. I think she could have done an amazing job with the role, and really sunk her teeth into it. Much as I'm looking forward to hearing Mirio when she's not hoarse (her Rudolf on the DVD was filmed the same day as her shinko as Der Tod, and it's obvious the girl's pushing through, singing-wise), I have similar reservations.

You'd think being an 85th would be a good thing ITO top-star track, since it means she would likely not be around as long if/when she did make Top Star. She could be there just long enough to give Masaki and/or Mirio enough experience as nibante to get ready to top themselves.

Personally, of the three, I think Morie's the most ready for a nibante role. She's had the most experience, and she's got amazing stage presence, even in her younger roles (which is admittedly mainly what I've seen of her). Masaki's Luigi was the first thing I've really seen her in, but it was very good. Mirio seems the weakest of the three, to me.

*sigh* At least they've finally chosen a Chauvelin. That's the role I've been waiting to see cast since it was announced Tsukigumi'd be doing Pimpernel.

[yukinojou]

Let's just say that if I had to choose a One And Only among current actresses, I'd be very, very torn between Hiromi and Morie ~.~ Morie completely stole my heart as Rudolf, and other things from her just cemented that effect. She did get the nibante role for Yukariko, and I think she might also be a transfer candidate - Snow, maybe, to give Kimu a solid nibante now that Star stole Teru?

Mirio is lovely and has charisma galore, I love her to the tips of her floofy hair and crooked teeth, but she needs a year or two more to grow. I really need to finish and post my Tales of Hoffmann review - that show contrasted her and Morie very well.

And Masaki is fantastic - she reminds me at times of a young Tom, all fire and very devoted to her roles, with a strong sense of acting backed up by a damn fine voice. (Let's just not mention the dancing ;)) But I saw her live as Lucheni at the end of the Mura run and she was absolutely knackered. A responsibility like nibante should be eased into gradually, and I think you really need a solid run as sanbante/yonbante first to learn the tricks of managing this exacting schedule.

Mind you, I don't see Kiriyan staying that long, so sanbante for Masaki for a year or two, then nibante while the initial transfer nibante goes to be top along with Marimo, would be a very good scenario.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Ha, I figured out Open ID! :D

Micchan coming back

The thing is if Micchan was going to be transferred, I don't understand why they would wait until after Pimpernel. I'm extremely excited for Shangri La, but it seems like a less important show than Pimpernel.

I wonder if another big transfer shakeup is coming this year?

As for Masaki and Mirio...Masaki at least has some experience doing sanbante roles in Elisabeth and Last Play. Mirio bothers me more because she doesn't have the right amount of experience to play this role. (And not only is it demanding in terms of acting and singing, but isn't Chauvelin supposed to be on the older side?)

[yukinojou]

I think it might all boil down to "Not Decided Yet". A transfer shakeup wouldn't be unlikely after so many top changes. There's also the very faint possibility of Kiriyan not wanting to stick around for long, though if they pull a Yuuhi again and pull Teru out of Star to lead Moon, I am going to be miffed.

Like I said above in reply to everchangingmuse, I can't hate Mirio because she's an adorable ball of fluff, but I remain very concerned for her voice and her ability to bring that sort of acting weight to a role. Chie tackled it at only two years older, but by that time she'd had four solo leads and over a year of nibante experience.

(Re: Chauvelin's age, he's supposed to have a teenage daughter in the books - mid-thirties would be my guess. And yay for technology, of course!)

[everchangingmuse]

I've always thought of Chauvelin as older as well, but more late 30s/early 40s - although that might be due to Terrance Mann being the first Chauvelin I heard. But Orczy does mention him as being definitely older than Marguerite in the first of the Pimpernel books. I'm about to start one of the sequels (Sir Percy Leads the Band), so maybe there'll be a better idea in it as to the age gap?

But that's another thing that does bother me about Mirio playing the part. She does not look that old. I know, I know, age make-up can do wonders (Mimi Anri and Shirosaki Ai had amazing age make-up in Elisabeth), but the part also requires a more mature voice, and that I don't think she has yet. Hence, why I thought Morie'd be good for it. She does have the more mature voice, and, while adorable, can pull off the "older" gentleman opposite the new top musumeyaku, I think.

Which book is it that has Chauvelin's daughter? I also never really pictured him married/widowed at all, the way he obsesses over Marguerite.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Which book is it that has Chauvelin's daughter?

Sir Percy Hits Back <3 Most of the Pimpernel novels other than the main one are out of print, but I think they're all available on the internet (copyright ran out).

I also never really pictured him married/widowed at all, the way he obsesses over Marguerite.

His obsession over Marguerite is an invention of the 1982 Anthony Andrews movie (which then got taken to the musical). In the novels there was no past romance with Marguerite.

[everchangingmuse]

Thank you! It is quite annoying to try and find copies of the sequels, yes. I've got Sir Percy Leads the Band and The Elusive Pimpernel, and when I finish those two, I'm going to hunt down more. I think there are places that do print on demand for them, but I haven't really looked into it yet.

There was at least a friendship in The Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite is pretty affectionate to Chauvelin until he starts in on his blackmail scheme, and he seemed to enjoy being part of her little salon before she married. But good to know there's no romantic element, so I'm not disappointed when I continue reading.

[yukinojou]

There's always Blakeney Manor :) It's the secret to many a day where I've looked scarily productive and only snickered occasinally.

[everchangingmuse]

Ooooh...pretty! Thank you for the link!

[hikaru_genji]

Ohh Masaki and Mirio as Chauvelin, :D!! This is going to be good, :)!