This article about the promotional press conference for the 2021 Romeo et Juliette production was published by Fuji TV View on December 11, 2020. (Archive link here.) Click through for many photos.

Takarazuka Top Combi Rei Makoto and Maisora Hitomi display powerful singing skills in Romeo et Juliette

On December 11, a press conference for the Takarazuka Revue musical Romeo et Juliette was held in Tokyo, and Star Troupe Top Combi Rei Makoto and Maisora Hitomi, as well as Director Koike Shuuichiro, spoke about their anticipation.

Romeo et Juliette, based on the play by William Shakespeare, has been beloved by audiences since the first Takarazuka production in 2010 for its beautiful songs and ephemeral love story. And now its 5th revival, and first production from Star Troupe in 8 years, has been decided.

Rei left a vivid impression as Romeo in the 2013 junior performance, and now will play Romeo again as Top Star of Star Troupe. Maisora, who plays Juliette, is performing in a Shakespeare adaptation for the first time. At the start of the press conference, Rei and Maisora performed songs from the show—’Un Jour’, ‘J’ai Peur’, and the famous song ‘Aimer’.

Rei has been known as a powerful performer since her early days. Her intense voice resounded with ease, and accompanied by the beautiful vocals of Maisora, who is also known as a powerhouse, took the entire hall into the world of Romeo et Juliette instantly.

The two of them have earned a reputation as powerful vocalists and dancers, and their intense performance raised expectations even more for the upcoming production.

After the performance, as the attendees addressed the audience, Rei said, about her feelings towards playing Romeo again, “I’m so happy to have the opportunity to be challenged by this role again.”

She looked back on the 2013 junior performance nostalgically: “Facing down that one shot at the performance, I ended up getting through on youth and enthusiasm, spirit and power. Thinking back on it now, I was so young, and my voice was much higher than it was now, so I gave off a really boyish impression.”

This time, “I want to go back to the foundations and study this story of ultimate love from the beginning; as Romeo, I want to become a strong man full of love, who protects the one woman he loves,” she said with determination.

Maisora said “She’s very pure and direct. She ended her life thinking how happy she would be to live with the one she loved,” about her role of Juliette. “I watched full of yearning from the audience over and over, so I’m full of gratitude that I can be in this show. I want to properly convey love to everyone, so I will follow my seniors under the leadership of Director Koike,” she said with a smile about her enthusiasm for the show she had longed for.

When asked if there was a song from the show she had particular feelings about, Rei said “’Aimer’. I think it’s a song that makes the audience happy as well, so I hope I can sing it in a way that communicates happiness.”

Regarding the songs ‘Un Jour’ and ‘J’ai Peur’ from the beginning of the press conference, “In the junior performance, the beginning section was cut and we started in the middle,” Rei said. This is my first time singing those songs, so I want to focus especially on singing the beginning half of the show,“ she said, revealing that there are also new challenges for her.

Maisora said “I love all the songs, but since I’m still very inexperienced, trying to sing them is very difficult, so I think this will be a real challenge for me,” allowing a glimpse of her struggles. “In the end, [my favorite song is] ‘Aimer’. I want to convey love to everyone with my singing,” she said with a smile.