Secret Splendour program - Interview with Sagiri Seina
After a very long spell of (ridiculously busy, behind the scenes) radio silence, here is a translation \o/
Edited by me, I am posting this on behalf of a wonderful contributor, who prefers to remain anonymous, to whom I also owe a huge apology for taking forever and a day to get around to it. orz
Some of Chigi’s fresh post-graduation thoughts, as she was about to venture on her -thus far amazing- journey as an OG.
Enjoy~
3 months have passed since you graduated from the Takarazuka Revue Company. Looking back, what memories do you have from that day?
It is a distant memory. Like it happened to someone else. Maybe…because I’m now deeply focused on creating a show. The day after graduation, I had to pack up to move. I had lots to do, and I felt that if I “switched off” I would end up taking too much rest so I just kept moving while feeling fulfilled and satisfied.
You strongly felt you had to keep moving forward. What new and fresh things have you done after graduation?
Until now, because I have hardly gone outside in the daytime, I was surprised to see so many people walking in the city every day, even though it’s so hot outside. The first feminine item I got was a parasol, because the sunlight was so intense, I felt I need to get one, so I did. That is probably the biggest change for me (laughs). It was refreshing to spend 24 hours as I liked in ways other than practicing and performing .
It wasn’t long enough to count as a “recharging period” but how did you spend it?
Actually, I was unexpectedly extremely afraid of starting rehearsals (for this show). It seemed the song “kittokuru”* drifted into my head everyday (laughs). I felt, “waaa … what should I do?”. At some point, I analysed myself – why I was this worried. When I was a Takarazuka otokoyaku, I enjoyed imagining what I would do if I had time off. But now, as I continue as a performer, I thought, how do I pass the time, what kind of person should I be during my time off. I was lost puzzling over these things and it felt like this is all I kept thinking about these 2 months.
This was an important time for you, was it not?
I felt bewildered until the first day of rehearsals when the entire cast got together, but since practice actually started, I had something to do again and I could see the path to creating the show’s world view. I had to memorize a lot of things, but I was relieved because there was still a place where my heart could belong. I had more fun after I started communicating with everyone (members of the production).
How did you feel when you heard about the show structure from Ogita-san?**
I heard about the show format 2 days after graduation but I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. However, rather than doing the things I wanted, I felt I should go with whatever aspects of myself he thinks it would be better to highlight in this show that has me as main material. I never liked saying “NO”in the first place. And yet, I am also cautious and timid, so I have to pluck up an enormous amount of courage to plunge into something. But, I think, to always be the same, never changing, is even more frightening, and I want to keep discovering new things about myself.
There are many different types of scenes in this show. How did you feel about it as rehearsals progress?
I think the old me would have panicked somewhat, been nervous and driven herself into a corner. It might be that I needed that in order to be an otokoyaku at the time. I realized this after graduating. Although it was my choice to do that, I was aware I couldn’t continue forever in this mindset. A part of me always felt that.
Does this mean you will not push too hard and accept reality?
Yes. A long time ago, even if there was a high wall or hard rock in front of me, I would go straight at it – believing it was the right thing to do. But now I would do something like think of how to make a detour or try to bring a ladder. Having this attitude, I may be the calmest I’ve ever been these past few years. Although I’m trying to reassure myself every day like, “Don’t worry, It will be ok”. Now, I try to believe it and put it into practice.
During this time of significant transition, what insights have you had?
I came to feel that otokoyaku only works inside the Takarazuka Revue, otokoyaku is unnecessary when there are also men in the rehearsal room. Nonetheless, I am now neither man nor woman, so there are also strange scenes (laughs). It is also my first time dancing with men and being lifted, so I am seeing a completely different view. While accepting the various changes, I will push on with rehearsals so I can get used to it all, step by step.
Now, aside from this program, you will be releasing your first visual photobook after graduation.***
I think this is a mood I won’t be able to express in a year or two. That is why I am grateful to be able to capture the mood just after graduating from Takarazuka and preserve it in a photobook.
How do you want to be, from now on?
I always ask myself, “What should I do, how should I proceed”. I’ve asked myself this for years, not just since I graduated from Takarazuka, but since I was an underclassman. From now on as well, no matter where I am, this will probably not change. I want to challenge myself while hopefully making everyone happy, without setting limits on myself, only expecting more from myself. Going forward, as I live up to and betray expectations, I will go on living as myself (laughs).
* kittokuru – It will surely come – a song from the Ring Trilogy horror movies
**Ogita Kouichi, ex-Takarazuka director, he was in charge of directing “Secret Splendour”
***the photobook in question was part of the “Secret Splendour” concert merchandise
Ahhhhhh Secret Splendour is going to feature “Je T’aime”, Roman Holiday, and a duet of “Windmills of Your Mind” among other things! To everyone who is able to see that show live, I want to live vicariously through you and your experience. Cause it sounds amazing.
To celebrate Sagiri Seina’s birthday @captainsconsort and I will stream her splendid OG show Secret Splendour. Welcome to cytu.be/r/captainandsir Tuesday the 18th of September 20:00 CEST. Please check trello for time conversion trello.com/b/zPKbMvay/streaming-schedule ! Everyone is welcome.
Secret Splendour at the Holburne Museum, Bath
"This revealing exhibition casts new light on some of the most magnificent and expensive furniture ever produced. Made from a wide variety of rare and exotic materials including amber, ivory, tortoiseshell, pietra dura and silver, cabinets-on-stands were one of the great status symbols of the seventeenth century. Their outer doors open to reveal exquisite interiors, originally designed to impress only the most privileged of guests. Many incorporate ingenious secret drawers and ingenious compartments for their owners’ most prized possessions."
I saw this exhibition at the start of the new year, and it was really exciting to see close up these amazing cabinets. We also got the chance to open one up and have a look inside at all the secret draws and compartments. One of the most impressive table cabinets was made for Emperor Rudolf ii, from marble, showing scenes from Venice on the panelling
