This classmates feature between Star Troupe members Kurenai Yuzuru and Mahiro Shun was published in March, 2009, a few months before Mahiro’s retirement.
The translation is sourced from Kurenai’s memorial book, so while the talk appears complete, some of Mahiro’s extra content was omitted.
DUAL ROAD – Kurenai Yuzuru vs Mahiro Shun
Kurenai: While we were junior actresses, I’d always go to Chaan’s (Mahiro’s) place after we were given choreography to learn, and train there.
Mahiro: Sayumi-san (Kurenai), you’re really fast at picking up choreography now, but back then you just couldn’t learn it, so you’d come do special training at my house (laughs).
Kurenai: Just flailing around (laughs).
Mahiro: We’d go to the theatre together even on off days, right.
Kurenai: We’d practice together.
Mahiro: We’d also borrow DVDs of performances and have ‘Takarazuka viewing parties’. The other people in the company would tell us “Wow, you really love it!” (laughs). Nothing can make you jaded, that’s something that’s always stayed the same. As for what’s changed…you’ve gotten faster at learning your lines and choreography, and your hair and makeup are done properly for rehearsals. You’ve become more like a Takarasienne, I guess (laughs).
Kurenai: I really sucked, right (laughs). I didn’t understand how to style myself at all.
Mahiro: To think the girl who used to say “Oh, how about that,” when I told her “Your hair is sticking out in the back” has become such a lovely otokoyaku. I tear up just seeing you singing and dancing on stage.
Kurenai: It’s like you’re a parent, huh.
Mahiro: Right, I’m a proud parent (laughs).
Kurenai: (laughs) Chaan, in the Music School, you were like a little baby chick, you felt like a very Young Child (laughs). But then once you entered the company, even when you were still a junior actress you were given roles with a lot of responsibility, right. I think that must have made things really hard for you. I can understand that now, but I didn’t really get it then, so I’d just say “You go girl! You can do it!”.
Mahiro: When we were in different performances you’d come and see me all the time, right. You’d say “Yo, I saw the show!” Since you supported me so much with things like that, frrom now on I’m going to support Sayumi-chan.
Kurenai: Really? I’d better work.
Mahiro: Since you supported me for 7 years, now it’s my turn to support you for 7 years.
Kurenai: Hold up! What if I take more than 8 years to retire? What happens after that?
Mahiro: I won’t watch any more (laughs).
Kurenai: Then I’ll just have to send you an invitation.
Mahiro: (laughs)
Kurenai: You did so much to help me during the THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL junior performance. I wish I’d said “Mahiro-san, thank you” in my final audience address.
Mahiro: I didn’t help you out at all.
Kurenai: No, you really did so much for me.
Mahiro: That was the first time we were able to do some proper acting together, right.
Kurenai: Back then I could feel our connection as classmates so strongly onstage. During our duel scene, when I wasn’t sure what to do, you’d signal to me with your eyes. Our 7 years together wasn’t wasted (laughs).
Mahiro: That performance was so fun, even in rehearsals.
Kurenai: It was a hard time for me, but it was fun. But now you’re retiring with the next show. When I first heard about it I thought, I can’t believe this!
Mahiro: Your eyes were so round.
Kurenai: I was too shocked, my eyes were like 3 times their normal size.
Mahiro: You didn’t say anything, but then the tears started to drip from your round eyes…
Kurenai: I couldn’t believe it. And here I thought I could rely on you from now on. I’m protesting this retirement!
Mahiro: (laughs)
Kurenai: But if it’s what Mahiro Shun-san has decided to do…
Mahiro: These 7 years have been so much fun. I don’t have any regrets and I don’t think I’ll ever repent this decision.
Kurenai: That’s good!
Mahiro: It’s a miracle that I was able to get this far, when I used to be unable to sing or dance at all, and the company made that dream come true… I’m so happy now.
Kurenai: I hope you still come to hang out in the dressing room even after you retire!
Mahiro: I’ll be there every day (laughs).
Kurenai: I’m going to call you all the time too.
Mahiro: Sure.
Kurenai: But we still have some time before you retire, so I want to make more memories with Chaan in the time we have left. Let’s revel in our Takarazuka life together!
Mahiro: Yeah! From now on, I want you to keep going full speed ahead on the path of a handsome princely otokoyaku who looks good in white uniforms.
Kurenai: I’ll try my best.
Mahiro: You can do it. I’ll be supporting you in the audience with my pompoms and hearts flying out of my eyes.
Kurenai: For real?
Mahiro: Yeah. So get me some tickets in return (laughs).
Kurenai: You got it! (laughs).
Kurenai Yuzuru
Debut: LUCKY STAR (Star Troupe)
First lines in Bow Hall: And Still the Ship Sails – Security Officer
“This is just my gut feeling, but even though those two are third-class passengers they’re wandering around the first-class suites. Pardon me for bringing this up, but they’ve been going in and out of your room as if they own it…”
In the Music School acting classes, they put a lot of weight on projecting your voice, but in the theatre itself, since you’re putting the expression of the role on top of that, you don’t have to burst in and raise your voice all at once. But back then, of course, I was practically yelling at Toyoko-san (Suzumi Shio), who was standing right next to me playing Jack. So she explained to me “You don’t need to talk that loudly, you know” (laughs).
Turning Point: Secret Hunter – Dagobert’s father
This role taught me how deep you can really get into acting. It’s a painful role, and in the end I commit suicide, but the acting itself was fun. After this, when I got full-show roles, of course it was difficult having to establish the character for myself. But I was also able to link the character’s emotions from scene to scene, and show the audience how the character grows gradually, not to mention being able to become the character for however many hours, which let me feel even more how fun and alluring acting is.
First lines in the Grand Theatre: El Halcon – Sherringham
“The Spanish ships are retreating!”
When I first realized I had my first lines, I just felt “Alright, I’m gonna do this!” (laughs). It was the first line after the song ended, so the timing was hard to get right.
A role I’d like to do again: ANNA KARENINA – Karenin
At the time, I put my all into the role, using all my random knowledge and all five senses, but I think if I was able to play him again after accumulating so many more experiences and so much more knowledge, I think a different side of him might come out.
First junior Silver Bridge solo/First junior lead: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL – Percy Blakeney
It was just a mountain of first experiences, so at first I didn’t even have a clue where to start. But even so, it was really fun to rehearse little by little until finally I’d put a whole story together. Everyone around me had such amazing energy, and every day I felt more strongly “I have to make this a success!”. I’m so grateful to everyone.
A favorite costume: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL – Percy Blakeney
It felt very ‘Takarazuka’, and I loved it. I don’t get many chances to wear sequin-covered outfits, and I was also so happy to think I was wearing one of Touko-san’s (Aran Kei) costumes (laughs)
When I felt the fun of performance:
From the moment of my debut address until now. At my debut, I was so happy to be on the Takarazuka stage that I almost started crying during the dress rehearsal. Of course, it wasn’t all ‘fun’. Although I’ve changed my way of thinking about the stage, foundationally I think I just love performing.