This article about the junior performance of Wind over Yamataikoku was published by Sponichi on June 20, 2017. (Archive link here.)

6th-year hopeful Hiryuu Tsukasa’s first leading role: ‘The opening spotlight was so bright…’

On June 20th, in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre performance of the junior performance for the Takarazuka Revue Hanagumi play Wind over Yamataikoku in Hyogo Prefecture, 6th-year future hopeful Hiryuu Tsukasa achieved her first leading role.

Wind over Yamataikoku is the story of a young man who fights to protect his country while being consumed by love for the Queen, Himiko. From her first appearance, where she appears in a blinding spotlight to suddenly launch into a powerful rendition of the theme song, Hiryuu thrilled the audience with her confident acting and singing skills. At 1.71 metres, she is not as blessed regarding physique as some recent otokoyaku are, but her presence on stage far outsizes that.

At the curtain call, she said “while there are still all sorts of challenges ahead, like the theme of the play I want to value the connections between people, and I’m resolved to continue to devote myself to the stage.”

“The opening spotlight was so bright, and I’ve never had that kind of experience before, so during the prologue number I was full of happiness and it felt like it created a link between me and the character,” she said, describing the effect the show had on her during a post-performance interview. “I want to value those feelings and that responsibility from now on,” she declared, promising her future determination.

The fourth-year Hana Yuuki, who played her first heroine with the role of Queen Himiko, also gave a strong performance. “In my first scene I was so nervous I started getting all shaky,” she said, looking back on her performance without pretentiousness.