Decor: Hana Yuuki translation
TakarazukaGRAPH April 2012: Decor segment with Hana Yuuki, translation under the cut
Whatever the time, wherever the place, the musumeyaku shine with beauty. We look at this aspect of their attraction through their stories from the stage!
Favourite Costumes:
Dance Olympia: Act 1 Scene 1- Sunrise Role: Briseis
A veiled headdress with beads decorating the forehead...It’s the kind of costume I’d wanted to wear at least once before I left Takarazuka. So I was so happy when I was given it to wear. The gold and white look so lovely together. During rehearsals I wore bits of cloth attached to my arms so that I could work out the best way to make the sleeves flutter.
The Poe Clan Role: Marybelle
There was this dress I wore for the prologue scene. The ribbons and every little detail were straight out of the manga, everything was created to look just like the original work. I was so happy to get to wear a costume that was completely new, and the sheer fabric on the sleeves and elsewhere was perfect for suggesting Marybelle’s transient state.
A Hairstyle That Brings Back Memories:
Koisuru ARENA
For Yuzuki Reon’s concert “REON!!” Yumesaki Nene changed her hair in every scene, so I wanted to step up to the challenge! There wasn’t much time between scenes so it was a lot of trial and error. When I was wearing this outfit, I had to take my hat off at one point. So I thought a side ponytail would go with the cool look of the costume. I had worked my hair so hard that after the concert was over it was unfortunately quite damaged! (laughs)
Nice Work If You Can Get It: Act 2 S6B Finale B Finale Lady S
When I spoke with the director and choreographer, they said that seeing as the dance was more mature, having my hair in a low bun would be more appropriate for the style we were going for. But I had already had my hair in a low bun for Dance Olympia, so I wondered how I could make it different. I tried to separate my fringe into ‘finger waves’ to match the 1920′s era, but I found it a bit of a battle to get it to suit my face! (laughs) After getting advice from Yuzuka, I kept adjusting and adjusting it, and just managed to perfect it before the opening night.
A Moment That Made My Heart Leap:
EXCITER!! 2018: Chapter 4 Love Exciter!! - Revolution of Love - Scene 15
Halfway through EXCITER!! 2018 there’s a number where everyone dances whilst watching Yuzuka. As I danced next to her, I was struck by how incredibly cool she looked without needing a flashy costume. I can’t explain it well but, I was shocked to see that she was not the Yuzuka I knew off stage, but the Yuzuka I knew as a natural and unpretentious performer, who at the same time, manages to be a dazzling presence on stage. I’m forever grateful that I share my life with such a person.
My Favourite Lines
“Once you become an adult, life can be very difficult so, (holds hand to chest) if you do not keep your dreams alive in here, you can easily be defeated by reality. However, you were always in my heart. And because of that, I was able to live my life” - From “A Fairy Tale: The Spirit of the Blue Rose” Charlotte Wheeldon (Hana)’s line
These were the words Charlotte says to the spirit of the blue rose, Elu. But, this show was the last production starring Asumi Rio, and so for me it’s tied to our relationship. I think she will become my own fairy spirit in that same way. It is also a line with lots of different interpretations, almost as if I were speaking on behalf of Asumi Rio fans. I would say this line to the Great Asumi every day with all of my heart.
“Please let me be the last bad decision you ever make” - From “Nice Work If You Can Get It” Jimmy Winter (Yuzuka)’s line
This is the line Jimmy says when he proposes to Billie at the end of the play but, rather than the words “I love you” or “Let’s get married”, he chooses these...untraditional words (laughs). But Yuzuka carries the line with so much of her warmth and kindness that it moves my heart so much that I am swept off my feet. I think Jimmy is the worst kind of man but (laughs) when Yuzuka says Jimmy’s lines like that, I just want to jump into her arms.
A Handmade Item
Dance Olympia: Act 2 Scene 8 Finale Lady S
There’s a scene where we sing “The Wings of the Heart” so first, I wanted a hairpiece that had the image of wings incorporated into it in some way. That would be the base. My hair would be done in a simple bun so I wanted to have the headpiece visible from the front as well as the back. It was Yuzuka’s first show as Top Star before her first Grand Theatre run, so I was very anxious. But, I threaded each feather into my headdress with a wish for the Flower Troupe to fly higher and higher... although I only made it for myself to wear! (laughs)