Takarazuka Revue 2013: Ozuki Tooma
Adding My Own Emotions to the Role of the Pirate Who Aids the Protagonist
When I heard that Takarazuka would be doing a stage performance of The Count of Monte Cristo, I remember thinking "that will be an interesting production..." Personally, I like revenge plays and other stories that give you a sense of humanity. The first image that came to mind for my character, Bertuccio, was "a rough character but with a feeling of humanity; a pirate with a heart of gold". However, as I went about creating the role, I tried to think outside the box. When the performance run started, my fellow pirates and I changed our give-and-take from day to day, and I think we were able to deepen the performance over time.
Also, Bertuccio's role is to support the main character, Edmond Dantès, played by Ouki Kaname. Ouki is my classmate, so there were many ways in which it was easy to get into character emotionally, and Bertuccio has become one of my favorite roles.
Amour de 99!! ~99 years of Love~ was the first revue I'd been in in a while. There were many different scenes with various styles of dance, and I could feel the audience's excitement in my bones. The applause of the audience members reminded me once again how fun revues are. Furthermore, I was given a female role in a dance with Ouki, and that had a huge impact on me personally (laughs). It was a new experience.
If I Can Support Cosmos Troupe and My Beloved Takarazuka, Even in Some Small Way...
I was transferred to Cosmos Troupe after becoming an upperclassman, and I haven't wasted time trying to change my ways. I'm allowed to be my natural self in this troupe. My classmate Ouki, who was with me as an underclassman in Snow Troupe, is now in the position of leading Cosmos Troupe. I noticed a change has come over her thinking and speech as a top, which I really admire. I myself am not especially skilled, but I'd like to be someone who can support and enliven Cosmos Troupe and the Takarazuka Revue company. I've learned many things from upperclassmen, but now that I've achieved a high rank I'd like to watch over the underclassmen, show concern for them and give them words of encouragement -- just as I have been brought up by the upperclassmen before me.
Adding a Flavor That Only We Can Produce to a Traditional Production
Starting in July I will take part in the national tour of that famous production, Ephemeral Love. The opening scene, with Rudoph and Marie standing on the staircase covered in a red carpet, is very striking. That scene will certainly stay with the people who come to see the national tour. The play itself is a tragic love story, but it also depicts many different patterns of human emotion that can be felt in the performance. It's a traditional production that has been revived many times, but we Cosmos Troupe members will perform it with great care, adding a flavor that only we can produce. I'm not sure on the details of Amour de 99!! ~99 years of Love~ yet, but we may be able to perform some numbers that we couldn't put in the Grand Theater production... (laughs) I'm really looking forward to it.
(Cross-posted to Tumblr.)