This edition of Tokyo Shinbun’s column on Takarazuka features Shidou Ryuu, talking about her current performance in Sherlock Holmes/Delicieux!. The original column was written by Yamagishi Toshiyuki (estimated name reading) and was published here on August 26, 2021. (Archive link here.)
Blossoming Takarazuka: An otokoyaku who can give dreams – Shidou Ryuu, Cosmos Troupe
The Cosmos Troupe performance Sherlock Holmes: The Game is Afoot! (Playing until September 26 in the Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre) is set in London, England, in the late 19th century. In this story about famed detective Holmes (Makaze Suzuho taking on his most difficult case, (Shidou) plays Colonel J. Moriarty, older brother of Holmes’s nemesis, James Moriarty.
“The show portrays in detail the clash between the two geniuses, Holmes and Moriarty,” she says, upholding the show’s appeal, and she takes the stage every day “making sure to value the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ world. There are lots of Holmes fans, so I hope that they can also enjoy the Holmes world in this Takarazuka version.”
The revue, Delicieux! – Sweet Paris is completely different, set in the city of Paris, France. It’s themed around ‘sweets’ and portrays a sweet, gorgeous world.
It’s her first time performing in a revue show in about 2 years. “It’s fun to express myself (as ‘Shidou Ryuu’)” she says with a smile.
She first saw Takarazuka when she was in middle school. “The otokoyaku were so beautiful I could hardly believe they were of this world, so I yearned after them and wanted to be an otokoyaku.” She decided to try out.
“Being able to go to a different world is the allure of the stage,” she says. “The atmosphere of Takarazuka isn’t like anything else in the world. I want to become an otokoyaku who can give dreams and thrills [to the audience].”
Three Questions:
If you could only bring one thing to a deserted island, what would it be?
Chocolate. I love sweet things. Especially white chocolate.
When do you think “I’m so happy”?
When I’m playing with my cat. Even when I’m dealing with things she helps me out mentally.
If you had a week-long vacation what would you do?
I’d do a deep clean of my room. Recently I decluttered a lot and it was a great refresh. But there are places I still haven’t gotten to yet so I’d like to take those on.