Former Senka Top Star Todoroki Yuu wrote this blog-style column in Kageki for many years until her retirement (first as ‘Talking to Myself’, then ‘Talking to Myself With Photo’ and finally as ‘Talking to Myself With…’).

In her July 2021 page, one of her last columns, she wrote about her earliest days in Snow Troupe with some old photos from Monsieur du Paris, as well as her upcoming final performance.

Todoroki Yuu: Talking to Myself With… (July 2021)

One thing I randomly remember in July is my troupe transfer. My transfer from Moon Troupe to Snow Troupe happened effective exactly July 1. I found these 2 shots when I was going through my photos. They’re from my very first junior performance after joining Snow Troupe.

This was the 1989 Snow Troupe production Monsieur du Paris. In that junior performance, I performed Ichiro (Maki)-san’s role. My costume changing spot was near Ichiro-san’s, and we were near each other in seniority, so I’m immensely grateful to have been able to learn all kinds of things about theatre at her side.

I was extremely nervous to be playing Ichiro-san’s role, but you can’t tell it from these photos–I look like I’m putting on airs, don’t I (laughs). I find myself thinking about the old memories looking at the photos. I’m sure I was hiding my nervousness.

July. This month will be the Osaka and Tokyo performances of Heir of Basara. I’m performing with Star Trope, which I have a deep connection to, and it is an original script by Director Ueda [Shinji]. I’m spending my July hoping you will all enjoy watching this story about a little kerfuffle among sharp Edo citizens…as well as looking back on the nostalgic days when I was making my way through junior performances with my heart pounding.