Takarazuka?

[oyceter]

So! I watched a Takarazuka show and found it very captivating despite not knowing what the story was and not really knowing what was going on! I would like to get DVDs so I can watch more, but they are incredibly expensive ($100~ per).

a) Do people have recommendations re: which version of Elisabeth or Rose of Versailles? There are a billion of them and I am a complete newbie. Yeas or nays on Scarlet Pimpernel also very welcome!

b) Eh, is there any way to ahem since there is no way I can afford more than one DVD?

(may lock this down in a few days for the obvious reasons)

Comments

[oyceter]

OMG thank you so much! That is so incredibly helpful! Now I am trying to decide if I should get one DVD or two, since it sounds like they will be cheapest if I just get them now, despite the current exchange rate.

Also! How much Marguerite does Scarlet Pimpernel have? I was so sad that the main musumeyaku in the show I watched today (Roget/Rock On) only sang one song and pretty much just stood around (on the other hand, Mizu Natsuki was kind of made of pure awesomesauce).

Ahaha... more super obscure and expensive fandoms! Just what I needed ;).

[keelieinblack]

Glad to help! I'm not an expert on the subject or anything, but I do know how bewildering Takarazuka can be when you're first getting into it. *g* And, yes, it probably would be cheaper to buy things while you're there if you can--purchasing new DVDs through a third-party service usually ends up meaning a significant extra outlay in terms of fees and shipping costs.

Scarlet Pimpernel is actually a pretty good show if you want to see a lead musumeyaku role that's strong both in terms of show time and characterization--it sticks fairly close to the Broadway production, so Marguerite gets quite a few solo numbers, and though they had to alter some bits of the story to fit Takarazuka 'standards' she's still a pretty active and mature character.

Also, allow me a moment of jealousy that you got to see Mizu Natsuki! I'm so sad that she's retiring; some of her performances have been an absolute joy to watch--especially her dancing. *sigh* (Now maybe I'm wondering if I should have recced you the 2007 Snow Troupe of Elisabeth? Mizu was the otokoyaku lead and I'm very fond of the production, but her version of Death is sort of hot-blooded and aggressive, so I wasn't sure if it would be to your taste.)

[oyceter]

Ahaha, re: Mizu Natsuki and me... pearls before swine? I was trying to figure out how early I should line up for tickets today, and then I fortuitously happened upon TakaWiki, which had a note about the run of this show being Mizu Natsuki and Aihara Mika's final performances. So I thought, "I guess they are famous? Maybe I should go at 8 instead of 9?" Lucky I did, because even then I only got standing room in the back! I am sure once I learn more about Takarazuka, I will bang my head against a wall and be like, "OMG how did I see them when I knew nothing about them?!"

Haha, no worries about Elisabeth recs.. I actually saw a rec for the Flower Troupe one somewhere else as well, so I am trying to find that. And yay for Scarlet Pimpernel having a fair amount of Marguerite! I am definitely getting that one now!

[starlady]

I saw that production of Pimpernel, and it was pretty damn awesome.