Kean
So today was a good day. We went to Tokyo again - that alone makes it a good day. I like Yokohama, but it’s not Tokyo. Plus, there are so many more handsome women in Tokyo. And I don’t mean 'siennes. <3 (Seriously, there must be a nest somewhere, or some kind of factory producing tall, short-haired, extremely handsome and charismatic women. It’s *paradise*. XD)
Furthermore, we went to see Kean today - and despite of everything I heard about it before, saying it was boring, too complicate and just Tom-centered, it was a REALLY good show in my opinion.
I bought my ticket a while ago, so I managed to get a pretty good seat (the show doesn’t sell very well, sadly - It wasn’t sold out today either), namely first row on the second floor, 6th seat from the left. From there I had a wonderful view on the stage, as well as on the theater (which I like, btw, very much. It has a very „theatre-like“ athmosphere, much more than the daigekijou, and it added to the show’s athmosphere in a very nice way).
(It was also due to my goegeous seat that Tom sung her love song to Elena exactly in my direction. SQUEE.)
I won’t go into the story details here, because a) I didn’t understand everything and b) I know there are some of you who are going to see it, too, and spoilers are not nice. XD (I do tell some of my impressions, though, so if you really don't want to hear certain jokes in advance, you better stop reading here.)
In fact, I began to read the original play by Sartre last week in the school’s library, but I just got through the first half (due to lack of time, certainly not of interest). The Takarazuka musical is very close to that script, so I was able to understand pretty much of what was going on in act one, and was pretty much at a loss in act two. ^^;
What I thought:
The most interesting observation of the evening was, quite unsurprisingly, that Tom’s fanclub, well… is so obviously *her* fanclub. I have never seen so many mature, short-haired women with this special authority or charisma in one place. (Also never so many women who made my special radar go off all at once.) (Trust Tom on this one.)
It was „Tom’s fanclub goes watching the show“ day, so the theater was half filled with women wearing black fanclub shirts. And there was a curtain call and even standing ovations. <3
So, all in all - after the bad reviews I heard from different sides, about this being a Tom show, Chie having not enough stage time, the evident lack of singing and dancing and a way too complicated script: It wasn't nearly as I expected it to be. Yes, it *is* a Tom show - but honestly, after reading the summary and seeing the poster and everything, one could have expected that. Chie does appear a lot on stage, has a very interesting character and some very intense scenes, in my opinion. The singing and dancing was gorgeous, and there were many typical musical scenes, more than in some daigekijou shows I've seen. And the script may be more complex than one is used to from other shows, but I personally don't see how this is a bad thing. On the contrary, this is a very intelligent show, and that is a definite plus on my account. So don't hesitate to go and see for yourself, I think it's definitely worth it! ^__^
Tomorrow you’ll get demachi photos from the Sky Stage 5th anniversary special. But don’t expect too much, they didn’t turn out best… and as a special punishment for me, Komu didn’t come. T_T Cruel world.
- If you really managed to get through all of this, you get a cookie. XD
Furthermore, we went to see Kean today - and despite of everything I heard about it before, saying it was boring, too complicate and just Tom-centered, it was a REALLY good show in my opinion.
I bought my ticket a while ago, so I managed to get a pretty good seat (the show doesn’t sell very well, sadly - It wasn’t sold out today either), namely first row on the second floor, 6th seat from the left. From there I had a wonderful view on the stage, as well as on the theater (which I like, btw, very much. It has a very „theatre-like“ athmosphere, much more than the daigekijou, and it added to the show’s athmosphere in a very nice way).
(It was also due to my goegeous seat that Tom sung her love song to Elena exactly in my direction. SQUEE.)
I won’t go into the story details here, because a) I didn’t understand everything and b) I know there are some of you who are going to see it, too, and spoilers are not nice. XD (I do tell some of my impressions, though, so if you really don't want to hear certain jokes in advance, you better stop reading here.)
In fact, I began to read the original play by Sartre last week in the school’s library, but I just got through the first half (due to lack of time, certainly not of interest). The Takarazuka musical is very close to that script, so I was able to understand pretty much of what was going on in act one, and was pretty much at a loss in act two. ^^;
What I thought:
- Tom. Tom Tom Tom. <333 - It was awesome to finally see that woman live, on stage, in person. She was so much like the Tom I saw on DVD, and yet so much more, it is hard to describe… but in the end, it’s what I thought I before: You haven’t seen all of Tom until you’ve seen her live.
- The character „Kean“ is a really interesting character. He is highly narcisstic, obsessed with women, a genius when it comes to Shakespeare, unable to deal with money, and madly disturbed, as Tom portrayed him. She was: cute, shy, loud, charming, drunk, erratic, exuberant, seducing, and extremely funny, all at the same time - it was very impressive! I think this could become my favourite Tom role, at least in terms of comedy.
- Speaking of which, this play is a comedy. ^^ I wasn’t aware of that before I read Sartre, but despite of some serious moments, especially towards the highly philosophical ending , it was all in all really funny! I laughed so hard at times, and the audience did, too. <3
- Chie really *is* one sexy actress, my god. XD I must admit I hadn’t been paying close attention to her until now, but I really liked her here. She made a gorgeous, serious, sexy, daring, and cynical Prince of Whales. Also, she has this talent to look way too good in black frock, white trousers and overknee boots. Especially when she’s moving in it. <3 Or spreading out on a sofa. <3 Or just, standing there. <3 And (who would’ve guessed THAT) she has very much chemistry with Tom. <33
- I also liked the two lead musumeyaku, Minami Mari as Elena and Aono Yuki as Anna Danby, although the way they spoke was sometimes a bit too shrill for my taste (which somehow can be said of the whole cast, except for Chie and Tom. Maybe it’s a baby thing. XD). Aono Yuki was very very cute, and made a very good match with Tom, especially in terms of comedy. Minami Mari was really pretty, and she has an impressive voice. She did not get all of the high tones, but she has a mature touch to her voice that I really like. She and Tom have a wonderful duet they got much applause for. <3
- There is this one adorable scene, in which Elena and Anna fight over Kean. I have a thing for jealous musumeyaku snapping at each other in the most intelligent and subtle, yet extremely sharp way. <3 And of course, Tom trying to intervene and failing miserably is love. As is her shocked expression when Elena suddenly throws her handbag at Anna - who catches it. XD
- Kean, who is madly in love with Elena, waits for her to come to his room before the show starts. He almost flies into the room, playing with an extremely cool secret-door-in-wall-construction, wandering around and overall behaving like a teenager. The one who comes is not Elena, but the Prince of Whales, making fun of him and his childish behaviour, finally betting that Elena would never come. Here we have self-confident, cynical and very sexy-laughing Chie. - When a woman in veil finally enters through the secret door, the Prince is impressed and leaves - with Chie suddenly having problems to find her hat, fumbling with her cane, but somehow managing to leave the room dignified, closing the door loud and clearly - and then falling down the stairs. XD It was all in the script, and you just heard the sound, but it was hilarious.
- Anna Danby, a hardcore fan of Kean who watches every single one of his shows keeping a diary about them, comes to Kean and tells him she wants to become an actress. After a little dispute he agrees to play a small scene with her as a trial. I don’t remember which role it was from, but it involved Tom approaching her and trying to lift up her skirt. Kean then asks how she would react to this, and being the cute and devoted person that she is, Anna deliberately lifts her skirt. Tom hurries to correct her: „No! The way you should be reacting to that is ‚Iya, sonna!!’“. Now imagine handsome Tom in sexy costume yelling in a feminine shrieking voice „Iya, sonna!“ while covering her nonexisting skirt with her hands in a very feminine pose. (It actually was much like the famous TCA Special schoolgirl scene I’m sure you remember pretty well.)
- Another funny scene: Kean gets drunk just before the show, something that Anna is not very fond of, and she tells him so. He doesn’t care and states that he plays drunk most of the time, something she has observed already. „There was this one time you did that Hamlet monologue completely drunk… and it was marvelous.“ „There you go.“ „I think it was your best Hamlet ever.“ „So there, what’s the problem?“ „The show was Romeo and Juliet.“ (Not exactly what they were saying, but the essence of it.) XD
- The set was really wonderful. Drury Lane, London streets, the Thames, a beautifully decorated dressing room, a bar with several levels, a satiny shiny red curtain, the stage with little audience balconies…
- The dancing was gorgeous, and most of the singing was pretty good as well. There were even some acrobatic elements, including an otokoyaku on stilts and several cartwheels. All in all, I was very impressed by the cast, especially considering the little experience of most of its members. <3 There is one baby I was especially fond of, because she was cute and, well, her dancing was pretty good. (I know I’m an easy catch on that one. ^^;) I’m not sure, but I think it could be Makaze Suzuho.*checks the Tiki* Yes, I think that’s her. She has potential, she really has. ^__^<33
- Tom as Othello climbing Desdemona’s bed, whispering „saigo no kisu“, and then, well, kissing her, makes me melt. So does Tom as I don’t know who throwing Anna on the sofa and hovering over her. Hell, that woman makes me melt just kneeling down on the floor, because she has this own unique and elegant *Tom* way of doing so. Sorry, am I fangirling too much? I never said this would be a serious review, have I? ^^
- I haven’t mentioned the costumes yet. Pretty, pretty costumes. Tom in uniform and overknee boots, in white tight pants and widely opened satin shirt, long rich brocade coat in gold… And not to forget Tom with LONG HAIR. (So much for looking gay. XD)
- It’s not only comedy Tom, it’s also angsting Tom. Really angsting Tom, with some very serious scenes, some very impressive outbursts, and some very dramatic monologues. <3
- The last note she sings, when the curtain falls, is one of the most beautiful ones I heard in quite a while. I almost cried over its beauty.
The most interesting observation of the evening was, quite unsurprisingly, that Tom’s fanclub, well… is so obviously *her* fanclub. I have never seen so many mature, short-haired women with this special authority or charisma in one place. (Also never so many women who made my special radar go off all at once.) (Trust Tom on this one.)
It was „Tom’s fanclub goes watching the show“ day, so the theater was half filled with women wearing black fanclub shirts. And there was a curtain call and even standing ovations. <3
So, all in all - after the bad reviews I heard from different sides, about this being a Tom show, Chie having not enough stage time, the evident lack of singing and dancing and a way too complicated script: It wasn't nearly as I expected it to be. Yes, it *is* a Tom show - but honestly, after reading the summary and seeing the poster and everything, one could have expected that. Chie does appear a lot on stage, has a very interesting character and some very intense scenes, in my opinion. The singing and dancing was gorgeous, and there were many typical musical scenes, more than in some daigekijou shows I've seen. And the script may be more complex than one is used to from other shows, but I personally don't see how this is a bad thing. On the contrary, this is a very intelligent show, and that is a definite plus on my account. So don't hesitate to go and see for yourself, I think it's definitely worth it! ^__^
Tomorrow you’ll get demachi photos from the Sky Stage 5th anniversary special. But don’t expect too much, they didn’t turn out best… and as a special punishment for me, Komu didn’t come. T_T Cruel world.
- If you really managed to get through all of this, you get a cookie. XD