Beth Winter

(I need more icons on Dreamwidth. I do have a Karincho one on LiveJournal.)

As a fan of 80s and 90s era stars, I remain indebted to Sky Stage (when kind people send me things that aired) and the Eternal Scene Collection. Thanks to the latter, some landmark shows make it to DVD years after they were performed - shows that were never released even on VHS - and I owe it for Chuushingura.

(Incidentally, the Eternal Scene Collection has great production values. Chuushingura is taken from an NHK broadcast, the image is crystal-clear, and an exact reproduction of the programme - full booklet, including English synopsis - more than makes up for lack of rehearsal footage.)

You can't be interested in samurai ethos without hearing of the 47 ronin, but for all the accounts I read of the story, this was the first time I saw it performed. And dear gods, it is moving - for once Takarazuka goes for no flourishes and added drama, because the story provides, relentlessly, emotion after emotion.

( In particular )

Toho Elisabeth cast is up for the August-October 2010 run.

I saw it and kind of fell over.

First of all, I hereby crow about the Asako!Elisabeth rumour being confirmed. She must be working hard on recovering her soprano, but this is a glorious normal-theatre debut, a great role to start with, and she's going to own the stage.

Komu got Elisabeth again ♥ I just hope that this time, enterprising fans with cameras will do better ;)

Yuichiro Yamaguchi is Death again, because you'll have to hit him over the head with a shovel to get him off the stage. Since his voice is pure honeyed velvet, that is a YAY in my book.

We get two new Deaths, too. Shirota Yuu (since he has TeniMyu and SeraMyu history... *eyes TeniMyu and SeraMyu fans* any comments on how he'll handle a forceful rockstar demon?) and Ishimaru Kanji, an ex-Raoul I haven't seen.

And the real Omigod-You-Guys is for Sophie. Mori Keaki. Who's had like one role since her retirement as Yukigumi topstar (and Andre to Maki's Oscar) in 1993. Kotobuki Hizuru's the other Sophie, as usual, but Mori!

FYI, the Rudolf-of-the-month for October is Urai Kenji, Lucheni is Takashima Masahiro (aka Mr Sylvia Grab), and Franz Joseph is... Ishikawa Zen. Dear heavens, this is going to be good.

Now, where was my airplane ticket search engine?