One of the yearly retrospective features from the December 2015 issue of Kageki, featuring Flower Troupe Top Star Asumi Rio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking Back on 2015: Asumi Rio<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n January\u2019s production of Ernest in Love<\/em> was difficult since it was a comedy, but the whole theatre had a really warm atmosphere and I\u2019m glad we had it as our introductory performance with a new Top Combi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embraced by the Seas of Calista<\/em> was my first original production since I became Top, so I had some concerns, but I took on the challenge with the hope of seizing hold of the audience\u2019s feminine emotions through Ms. Ooishi\u2019s script1<\/sup>. Takarazuka Fantasia<\/em> was rather hard to perform, but it had the message that the reconstructed Flower Troupe would spread its wings. During the middle of the show when I saw everyone\u2019s smiles as they watched, I was really moved. When we received the annual Group Award for this production2<\/sup>, my emotions were split between tears and happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since I was performing as Fersen for the second time in the Taiwan production of Rose of Versailles: Fersen and Marie-Antoinette<\/em>, I figured out some new things and tried to get deeper into the character. During the performance of Takarazuka Fantasia<\/em> I felt united with the Taiwanese audience members, which made me really happy. I was able to get over my uneasiness about performing in a foreign country since I had all my friends with me, and our bonds deepened as if we were all meant to be together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Takarazuka Traditional Japanese Dance Recital was really difficult since I was performing Japanese dance by myself for a long time, but I feel like it was a valuable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we had been split into the Taiwan group and the Bow Hall group doing various great things, when we all reunited after a long time for New Tale of Genji<\/em> the rehearsals were really lively. I was really worried about playing Genji, to the point where I said it was the hardest role I\u2019ve had so far, but I want to work on the performance scene by scene and hopefully by the time the last day comes around I will have a deep understanding of the character. Melodia: A Warm and Lovely Melody<\/em> has various scenes where everyone gets to shine, even the junior members, and it will be very energetic. Every day we\u2019re working on how to present each scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While performing, I make new discoveries about how I consider the stage and how I ought to conduct myself, as well as deepening my connections with the other members of the troupe. I\u2019m really happy that I have such trustworthy friends, and I hope to be someone who can lead them well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 – This production was one of two (as of time of posting) written for Takarazuka by Ooishi Shizuka, a non-Hankyu-employed screenwriter who mainly writes for television.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 – In the Takarazuka Annual Awards, Flower Troupe received the Group Award for scene 10 of Takarazuka Fantasia<\/em>, \u201cSakura Fantasia\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the yearly retrospective features from the December 2015 issue of Kageki, featuring Flower Troupe Top Star Asumi Rio. Looking Back on 2015: Asumi Rio January\u2019s production of Ernest in Love was difficult since it was a comedy, but … Continue reading