Backstage Journal is a short Kageki feature where very young cast members write anecdotes about what’s going on behind the scenes of the productions. They’re not very deep, being full of emojis and more like blog entries than articles, but they are a good way to get to know the newest actresses in each troupe.
This one is by Star Troupe member Amairo Mineri, and was published in the May 2016 issue.
Backstage Journal: Amairo Mineri (Die Fledermaus/THE ENTERTAINER!)
Hello, Kageki readers ✨ This is Amairo Mineri, writing her first Backstage Journal.
I’d like to tell you about what’s going on backstage of Die Fledermaus/THE ENTERTAINER!, which is being performed right now!!
🎀The maids’ games🎀
Right before the first number with Adele (Hinami) and the other maids, we would be at standby onstage – one day, Themis, played by Hishiro Yua, suddenly started a rock-paper-scissors game. Ever since then, all 5 of us play rock-paper-scissors every show, so the curtain always rises on us still full of laughter.
🎀An invitation from heaven!?🎀
This is another story about the maids. This time it’s the scene with the invitation to the party at Prince Orlofsky’s mansion. Each time, a staff member drops the letter from overhead, and while we’re all acting with our ‘antennas’ activated for that happening, it’s always very unique when the letter does fall – please keep an eye out for it!
💖CHEER💖
In the very last scene of the play, Dr. Falke (Hokushou) and his assistants, as well as Professor Larte (Natori) and Prince Orlofsky (Seijou) are on standby atop the raised platform, and us maids, along with Madame Rosalinde (Yumeki), are behind them on the flat stage. On opening day, I saw Flora (Kozakura) looking upwards. When I looked up too, I saw Krypton, played by Toa Reiya, and Argon, played by Seo Yuria, looking down at us with beautiful smiles 💖 And later, during the 1pm show preceding the junior performance, when Flora and I looked up as usual the two of them were like ‘Go for it!’ with an encouraging pose 😁 The two of them gave us so much energy, and it seemed that the revue started in a blink.
In the ‘wings to fly’ scene1, Hokushou-san is looking backwards as she appears through the trap door. I only saw this from the very back, but Hokushou-san cheered silently ‘you can do it~!!’ for all the junior actresses behind her ✨ I was so moved by this kindness and so happy that I was able to do my best with tons of energy when it came time to perform the shinjin kouen. So many of the senior actresses cheered us on, so it was a day where I really felt how warm all the Star Troupe senior actresses are. Thank you so much.
So, what did you think of this backstage journal? This performance is the stage debut of the 102nd class. Star Troupe ⭐️ led by the full-powered entertainer Hokushou Kairi, will do their best to bring you a kind, warm, and energetic show, so please come and see!! I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon 💖
1 – I believe this is the scene in the second half where the entire ensemble is in blue, but I’ve only seen THE ENTERTAINER! a few times so I am not entirely certain.