Gustav III in Takarazuka part 2
I want to take a minute to admire the accuracy of the costuming, compared to Elizabeth and other productions. This is actually really accurate even for Japan. Probably all leftovers from Berubara.
Unfortunately, the dance is waltz, which would not be in fashion until ca mid 19th century. The precursor was at the time only being played at servant’s balls or in the countryside.
Gustavu-ouji has fun in Paris, masquerading as the count of Haga.
This is a mistake on the behalf of the writers, though I will let it pass because hey, they did some research. It is true that Gustav III did use the title when he was abroad in Italy in 1783, but that was nearly ten years after he took the throne.
Haga is a park in Solna, which Gustav III put a lot of hard work into. He was planning a castle to be built, but that never happened. It’s kind of like an East-block pirat copy of Versailles, except it never even got off of the ground. It still exists, like an Spomenik of the Enlightenment, oft-used by historical dancing societies. But anyway, Gustav III built that thing. He couldn’t have called himself ’the count of Haga’ at this point in the story.
Oh, and Anckarström is along for the trip. Can you tell what his colour signifies?
The boys retreat to the balcony, where they have a manly/romantic heart to heart about the fact that Gustav is actually crown prince.
Gustav shows Anckarström the wooden sword, expressing that he still remembers. The yaoi is interrupted by Gustav’s girlfreind, Isabelle.
Anckarström at least has the tact to send Gustav off with a pat on his sleeve. A pat. On. His. Sleeve. *fangirling intensifies*
Again, this hair. That dress. It’s so understated! Just like it would actually be in the period. (Given the track record of Japanese media, this is quite the astonishment)
Also, Kaname-sama is dashing. She’s perfect at playing the ’youthfull dandy’ and still being believably masculine.
They hold hands, look into each other’s eyes, and the curtain falls.
Your humble narrator is now attracted to women.
I must here interject that the IRL king Gustav was kind of bad with women and was presumed gay by quite a few people (He managed to have a single love affair with a woman, but eventually came to love his wife to the end of their days). But drama, drama.
Cut to STHLM. We can tell that this is Stockholm, because it is very bleak and brown. Good to know that they did field research.
(Seriously, our capital was the size of a small craggy island. Most of the pretty stuff was built by Gustav III. Before then, Sweden was out of money as usual, largely thanks to a certain regent deciding to invade Russia*.)
Some noblemen talk about threats from Denmark and Russia. Russia is a real problem, but Denmark.. It’s Denmark FFS, the weediest little dot on the map. Tessin appears again.
A Keanu Reeves impersonator delivers the news that the King is dead. The ’Uh-oh’ trumpet sounds. Tessin gives orders to inform France and bring Gustav back home.
Stay tuned for weird peasant dances, and less taking Sweden seriously.
