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 or see what your favorite performers got up to in their younger days.
This one is by Flower Troupe member Takumi Hibiki (of the 73rd Class), and was published in the August 1990 issue.
Backstage Journal – Takumi Hibiki (The Rose of Versailles: Fersen 1990)
Hello. It’s Charlie. During July was our passionate performance of The Rose of Versailles in Edo. I want to write up a few stories from that. I hope you’ll read all of this.
Month X Day Y
I was dozing a little during the early morning bus to the dress rehearsal, but when I heard Miki-san (Maya Miki) and Yuka-san (Mitsuya Nao) talking, I thought “Right…Backstage Journal…” and perked up my ears. Apparently, during her last performance, Yuka-san was staying in a dorm for the first time. Naughty Miki-san told her mix of true and false things about all the different rules of the dorms. One of the things Miki-san told her was that, when you first enter the dorm, you have to go and great the people living across and next to you (there’s no such rule!). Listening to all this were Soluna-san (Isono Chihiro) and Kyaru-sama (Hibiki Mito). “Right, you have to go introduce yourself and bring gifts…” (this is all lies). But since I was in the room next to Yuka-san I didn’t tell her “they’re lying”.
Month X Day Y
My room is next to Miki-san and Yuka-san’s room in the dorm. We only have one thin wall between us. Therefore, if one of us raises our voice even a little, the others will end up hearing. One day, I accidentally raised my voice telling my roommate “It’s in the green bag! Use that.” The next day, the two of them asked me “So what was in the green bag?” with such curious expressions on their faces. “Ah…they could hear everything,” I reflected. “It was laundry detergent,” I replied, but then the next day, just before I went to sleep, I heard both their voices coming from somewhere: “Charlie~” Yes! It was Lady Oscar and Monsieur Giroudelle’s voices. “Good night, Charlie~” I was at a loss for words. Finally I turned towards the room next door and said “Good night”. LUCKY~ <3
Month X Day Y
We’re in the Palace Guard. Before Kaname-san (Suzukaze Mayo) Lady Oscar goes to the Bastille, all of us in the Palace Guard do our best to stop Lady Oscar, but she yells us “Go!” and we run weeping off to Stage Left. Then, after changing into her costume for the following party scene, Yan-san (Anju Mira) holds out her arms to us with a smile that says “Oscar is over here too~”1. We all run into Oscar’s embrace…ah, what happy Palace Guards <3
Month X Day Y
Since the debuting girls have all gone to their own troupes now, all otokoyaku below Meri-san (Juri Sakiho) ended up performing in the rockette. We were on standby in the wings on Stage Right. Mami-san (Makoto Tsubasa) was there too. The music started to play and it was time for us to go out, but then one of the decorations on Mami-san’s costume caught on a rack full of costumes. Mami-san tried to wriggle free. We all burst out laughing seeing her desperately trying to make it in time. I’m so glad you managed to make it somehow, Mami-san. I was full of high spirits that day.
Month X Day Y
Natsume-san (Ooura Mizuki). She goes to beg Joseph II to save Antoinette, but is turned down, and heads out onto the Silver Bridge, singing sadly. At the same time, we’re in the wings costumed as Jeanne and other commoners. The carriage for Natsume-sama to ride to the queen’s rescue is right there, so Tamo-san (Aika Mire) and Meri-san turn into horses, and Yuka-san, Hyou-san (Hyou Yuuka), Romi-san (Yukino Marie2), Sacchin-san (Shino Yuka) and I climb on and vigorously whip Tamo-san and Meri-san; all of us a naughty bunch trying to make Natsume-san laugh.
But Natsume-san’s in the middle of a really serious scene. She can’t laugh, so she heads onto the Silver Bridge struggling to hold it in. It’s such a shame. It if was me I’d definitely burst out laughing. That’s our Natsume-san. Sorry about that.
Also, this is the last show for Remon-san (Takara Junko), Yukko-san (Tsukioka Chikage), Key-san (Ryou Mio), Yuka-san, Mika-san (Yuuma Natsuki), so take care of yourselves…
That’s all from Charlie.
1 – Yan performed as Antoinette’s brother, Joseph II, during shows where a guest performer was playing Oscar.
2 – In the translated source (the reprinting of this feature in Takumi’s memorial book) the name is written as ‘Yumeno Marie’ but this seems to have been a misprint.