Talk DX is a GRAPH talk feature with the otokoyaku leads of a recent Grand Theatre show. This one, which was recorded towards the end of the Takarazuka run of Elisabeth, was published in the October 2016 issue, when the show was being performed in Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Talk DX – Elisabeth (Asaka Manato and Makaze Suzuho)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> The production is already half over but\u2026wahh~ Everyday I still feel, \u2018Wow, I\u2019m really in Elisabeth!\u2019 Even though there have been some incidents – recently, there was some trouble with one of the stage mechanisms, so the show had to be paused for a bit in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Right, just after ‘Die Schatten Werden Langer\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka: That\u2019s it. Things had been going so well that day, so I stepped out on the Silver Bridge beaming triumphantly, feeling on top of the world, but then everything just faded out (laughs). I didn\u2019t understand what was going on so I was like ‘what the heck~\u2019 until a technician guided me offstage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze: <\/em>I saw that whole incident from the wings (laughs). But then the next day, I also had an incident – during the coronation, my cloak got caught in the life so I couldn\u2019t move forward\u2026sorry about causing you such an issue there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> No worries! I really wanted to help you, but my priest\u2019s mitre wasn\u2019t fastened securely, so it was going to fall if I looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> While Maa-sama (Asaka) was singing, right behind you I was struggling with the cloak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> It\u2019s not often you can see His Majesty so flustered (laughs). Well, even though there were so many incidents (laughs), when you go on stage you can really get a feeling of the world the characters live in, more than you can in the rehearsal space. Every day new notions pop into my head – ‘I\u2019d like to do it this way, I\u2019d like to try it that way\u2026\u2019 Yurika\u2019s (Makaze\u2019s) Franz is so refreshing! Such a good person!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze: <\/em>Really? Franz is a role that really shows the weight of the years, so I want to leave the impression of the passage of time. I don\u2019t want to just be a pure young man, and then an elderly monarch, but demonstrate scene by scene the life I\u2019ve been living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I can really feel the progress of time. Those aspects where you\u2019re not just thinking ‘and here I\u2019ll do it this way\u2019 are really amazing. During ‘Nicht ist Schwer\u2019, I\u2019m listening from the orchestra pit, and the feeling of a young man\u2019s pure first love kept increasing until I was like ‘Mufufufufu (muffled giggling)\u2019 (laughs). There! That\u2019s what I really like about your performance!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> It would be that (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Right after Franz gives Sisi (Misaki) the necklace\u2026come on, do it! (Asaka shifts character into Sisi and gestures as if she\u2019s touching a necklace) \ud83c\udfb5 It\u2019s so heavy~ \ud83c\udfb5<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> (Takes Asaka\u2019s hand)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both:<\/em> \ud83c\udfb5 No matter what mountains we face~ \ud83c\udfb5<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Yes! That bit \ud83d\udc96 When he takes the hand she touches the necklace with like that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> (Takes Asaka\u2019s hand once again)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Squee~ Elisabeth thinks he\u2019s upset that she reacts to how heavy the necklace is, but he\u2019s not! He just gently makes a connection with her! I watched that scene from the orchestra pit, by the shadow that the spotlight cast (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> A shadow show! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I actually watch most of the end of Act I from the orchestra pit – it\u2019s really clear how you begin living fully as the emperor. Yurika\u2019s voice is so nice~<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Iida-sensei, the singing instructor, taught me new vocal methods. Although I still have a lot of issues\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> That sort-of Classical vocal style is so perfect for Franz, I think. the way you sing \ud83c\udfb5 Anything~ that you desire~ \ud83c\udfb5 Is awesome! I love it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Ahhhh! Maa-sama, your voice sounded so amazing just now! I should have taken a video~!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> (laughs) Der Tod, though, is thinking ‘fool, nothing you do will be any good\u2019 as he\u2019s listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Oh~!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> At first, Der Tod sees Franz as just his opponent in love, or his rival for Elisabeth, but as he begins putting bigger things into motion he realizes that Franz is far more significant than that. Therefore recently I\u2019ve felt that the line ‘I\u2019m not the one whose aims will be destroyed\u2019 is quite fitting (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I see\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> But, in their final confrontation, Franz hits the mark precisely and when he says ‘You\u2019re wrong~!\u2019 Der Tod is truly shaken (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> In the prologue, Maa-sama is sparkling in the white light – it\u2019s too little to just say that you look divine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Yeah, all I can see is white, too (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> (laughs) I\u2019m busily being a ghost, but when I look back and see Der Tod in the light I\u2019m like ‘Whoa!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka: <\/em>For that entrance, I\u2019m on a crane, and honestly I feel like I might lose out to the intense lighting. Before going on I work to construct the scenario in my head. Director Koike gave me the guidelines ‘since the spirits are causing a commotion, the Lord of the Underworld arrives\u2019. So Der Tod is like ‘what are they making such a fuss about\u2026worthless spirits\u2026\u2019 While everyone is getting more enthusiastic, singing \ud83c\udfb5 No-one knows~ the real Elisabeth~ \ud83c\udfb5 I come in thinking ‘What\u2019s all this racket!\u2019 (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> (laughs) Also, that one scene was so good! The scene with the red cloak!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Oh, Doktor Zeburger (laughs). It\u2019s so rare to see a cloak with such a deep red lining. Originally the flame design was silver, but it was changed to black, and that really makes it feel like the flames of passion are rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze: <\/em>Gosh, that moment where you get up on the chair, I\u2019m watching from the side entrance like ‘Here it is~! This is the best~!\u2019 (laughs) It\u2019s like having Super-SS seats for that scene\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze: <\/em>That first bit, where Der Tod is like ‘I\u2019ll give you back your life, Sisi, and when you call me I\u2019ll come for you\u2026but I\u2019m leaving for now\u2019 – once, I was trying too hard to see you so I ended up in the field of one of the lights a little bit, so that must have been a bother\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> It wasn\u2019t any bother, I was just like ‘Huh, there\u2019s a blue person\u2026oh, it\u2019s Franz.\u2019 (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> No, that was terrible! I\u2019m really sorry! From now on I\u2019ll make sure I stay in the shadow of the lighting column! But like, you were so Virtual there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka: <\/em>You keep saying that, ‘Virtual\u2019 (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I think that might be the scene where the sense of you being a death god is strongest. While after that Der Tod is gradually more moved by Sisi, that scene was totally Virtual!! You were out of this world! When you were leaving, still with conflicted feelings for Sisi, I was just watching like (mouth gaping) that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Aw, that\u2019s so cute (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> The timing of the show never really has us together in the wings, does it. Even though we start out on stage together at the beginning of Act II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> That\u2019s right. All I can do is catch a glimpse of Maa-sama passing by as I do my super-quick changes (laughs) During the section like \ud83c\udfb5 My mother is gone, please come back~ \ud83c\udfb5 I\u2019m really, really!! having a struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> On the other hand, I have some free time in here so I\u2019ll wander around a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Now that you mention it, I do remember Maa-sama appearing in my field of view sometimes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Ahahahaha~ (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I\u2019m determined not to get distracted during that bit! (laughs) So I really can\u2019t pay attention to Maa-sama at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I know! I know, but I still really want to say something\u2026I\u2019m always holding in the urge to be like ‘Ya~y!\u2019 and go hug you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I do really get that impression when I see you from the corner of my eye\u2026it\u2019s like you\u2019re passing by while really working to keep under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both:<\/em> (burst out laughing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I\u2019m really sorry. I know Franz has to grow up so I\u2019ll endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Sorry I can\u2019t play with you there (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> We\u2019re always appearing in the same scenes so I can\u2019t see them, but I feel like my shadow doubles, the Black Angels, have really gotten to an amazing level lately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> They definitely have!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Even though I\u2019m not looking at them I can tell by the feeling of being synced up. Like during ‘Der Letzte Tanz\u2019 when I\u2019m singing the high part they\u2019re all dancing in unison and they never get out of time! It\u2019s so impressive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Even though they had a lot of trouble with the wigs at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Right, they did. The long hair would get so messed up during the dancing (laughs). But it seems like they\u2019re finally used to it now. I\u2019m sure dancing in those boots must be really hard as well, but they\u2019re all lifting their feet up so you can\u2019t tell at all. Especially in ‘Die Schatten Werden Langer!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I have so much respect for them in that scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> Oh! By the way, in the Hapsburg court, Madame Sophie is seriously scary!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I\u2026can\u2019t really confront her, for sure. But I\u2019d describe Franz as overly attached to his mother without much independent identity (laughs), so that\u2019s certainly not a normal parent-child relationship. And as she\u2019s running the country, she\u2019s certainly an intense personality. She tries to take on Sisi\u2019s training but\u2026from Sisi\u2019s point of view, this would certainly be frightening (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> ‘Wash your face!\u2019 she says. That was so scary today~<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Although I certainly would never get so upset about it, thinking as Franz, or even as Makaze Suzuho, I might be like ‘well, perhaps it would be better if you washed your face\u2026perhaps it would be better if you brushed your teeth.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> That\u2019s true. It depends on the person (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I start out the finale singing a solo on the Silver Bridge, but I also get the leftovers of the dry ice from the last scene (laughs). Rather than the lights coming up suddenly, with no regard for the show, it feels more like ‘excuse me, everyone, but I think you\u2019ve noticed that the main show has ended. Shall we proceed to the finale?\u2019 I try to be sensitive to the emotions of everyone in the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> That\u2019s such a funny way of putting it\u2026ah, my stomach hurts (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I\u2019m working hard to be a good partner for you (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> There, you\u2019re so reliable! The otokoyaku dance is so cool, right? (waving her fist) I\u2019m so happy about this choreography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> It\u2019s really great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I leave while it\u2019s still going, and since I was told I could do whatever I liked there, I throw a kiss like ‘I\u2019ll let you take over now!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Ahhhh~!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> (laughs) The choreography is pretty vigorous, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> That\u2019s right – it\u2019s quite vigorous and also lengthy so it\u2019s really tough, but even so it\u2019s really fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> The duuet dance is a revival of the one Asaji Saki-san and Shiraki Ayaka-san performed. It\u2019s not as if it\u2019s terribly difficult choreography, but getting the right atmosphere is quite hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> The color of the costumes is also very different from the main show – it\u2019s like a soft red? I think the antique hue is very lovely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> At the start, due to the significance of Elisabeth and the fact it was the 20th anniversary, we were really determined. ‘We\u2019d better not dishonor this play!\u2019 we thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> Right\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> But then when it came to opening day, the atmosphere from the audience was simply amazing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> There was so much tension – I was like ‘maybe you could all try to relax a bit and just watch?\u2019 (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka: <\/em>Yeah, exactly (laughs). And besides that, sometime during the beginning song, ‘Rondo of Love and Death\u2019, I realized something! ‘Hang on – is there no space for applause in my scenes until the end of ‘Der Letzte Tanz\u2019!?\u2019 (laughs) You know how when you get applause the first time, it really helps you loosen up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I get it (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> So once I noticed that I was like ‘I\u2019d better just go for it!\u2019 and put in even more enthusiasm (laughs). But after the opening performance, I felt such an atmosphere of acceptance, which has given me confidence for every performance since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> I can still hardly believe I\u2019m performing in such a masterpiece, and in the role of Franz, even! I\u2019m so happy and I hope I\u2019m improving with each performance, even if it\u2019s just a little bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> You are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Makaze:<\/em> (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asaka:<\/em> I\u2019m so happy we\u2019re able to spend our days with such a degree of fulfillment. The passion from the audience is so impressive, and I\u2019m so thankful for Elisabeth. I hope to put on a show that only our current Cosmos Troupe could do, so I would be so happy if anyone who sees it thinks ‘I\u2019d like to see Cosmos Troupe again!\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Talk DX is a GRAPH talk feature with the otokoyaku leads of a recent Grand Theatre show. This one, which was recorded towards the end of the Takarazuka run of Elisabeth, was published in the October 2016 issue, when the … Continue reading
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