This article about 2015 show Manon/Golden Jazz and Manaki Reika’s performance in it was published by Mainichi News on December 21, 2015. Full article available here (it is paywalled now, but must not have been when the article was originally translated).

Genuinely talented former otokoyaku, Moon Troupe top musumeyaku Manaki Reika: masterful dance performance shows off her tall figure

Delicate and humble like the babies’ breath flower, she nestles up against the otokoyaku and magnifies her charm…Moon Troupe’s top musumeyaku, Manaki Reika, betrays that image of a musumeyaku in the best possible way. At the Grand Theatre senshuuraku performance of Manon/Golden Jazz on the 14th (performed at the Tokyo Grand Theatre from January 1st to February 14th), she broke the mold of a conventional musumeyaku with a incredibly glamorous performance that entranced the audience.

Manon, in which Manaki plays the titular role, is set in French Indochina. She plays a dancing girl, drifting about in a languid atmosphere, who is called a “devilish woman” for toying with the men surrounding her. Elite officer Charles, played by Top Star Ryuu Masaki, is also played with by the uncontrolled, innocent-appearing Manon, to the point of losing his position.

Director Ueda Keiko said about Manon, “rather than making them into the roles, the actors’ real selves show through. While it’s difficult depending on the performer, the most important thing is ‘freeing your heart’.” She also revealed that “I thought if [Manaki] could present some really subtle lines that weren’t just sexy or just pure-hearted that might turn out to be fascinating. But the first week of rehearsals, I was at my wits’ end.” In order to grasp the “pure eroticism” that she had in mind, Ueda said she watched every film she could find about subjects like East Asia and prostitution.

This is the fourth year Manaki has been Ryuu’s acting partner. They are taking to heart the people around them saying “since their personalities are so different, when they are together it’s really interesting. It’s important to consider personalities rather than just having them be close.” Manaki entered the Revue in 2009 as an otokoyaku, but after that switched to musumeyaku. Her dancing, in which she uses her tall figure to her advantage, is her most prominent aspect.

In the middle of Golden Jazz the African dance performance focusing on Manaki was a masterpiece. It displayed her high level of physical ability and became the highlight of the show.

“While Ryuu-san said this originally, I agree that ‘I want to keep gazing at my dreams the way a child does’. I want to show people performances with limitless possibilities that will make them really excited,” Ueda said.