Kazuki Sora
Rhythm: Kazuki Sora (GRAPH, September 2016)
-Where do you see yourself a year from now?
I’ll have graduated from shinjin kouen performances, so it’s a time that marks a new start. My years of having the “privilege of being allowed to study” will be over, so I want to take in new things in a way that’s true to my own point of view, and if I could start building up genres I haven’t done before… Actually, I think I’d like to try doing acrobatics.
– At what times do you feel the difficulties of being an otokoyaku?
How I am when there’s no musumeyaku by my side. When there’s a musumeyaku with me, I find it much easier to act naturally masculine.
– The moment when you were the most nervous on stage?
It was in the scene in “Rose of Versailles: Oscar” when I played the young noble boy, and I caught sight of Yuuhi-san and Sumika-san (haha). I got so excited I accidentally squealed! Kita-san (Ozuki Tooma) said to me, “That was the most off-key note of the century” (haha).
– Your favorite stage makeup technique?
Hm, probably the inner eye corner! The angle and length can totally change your face. Also for me, the outer corners of my eyes go up when I laugh, so if I draw a line below there it makes my laughing eyes look nicer. Hasumi Yuuya-sama taught me that!
– Fashion you like?
Right now I obsessively check whatever is trending, and absorb whatever I can make work as an otokoyaku. Also, I pretty much never wear heels!
– Movies you like?
I like “RENT,” and “Billy Elliot”… Recently I saw “The Danish Girl” and it was really good. I love movies, and I go see one just about every time I have a break. I especially like Western movies.
– A celebrity you like?
The dancer Harada Kaoru. Ever since I first saw her when I was 10, I’ve always loved her. She’s so amazing that even now I can still watch this DVD I bought way back then without getting sick of it. Since there are also a lot of things you can glean from it for otokoyaku dances, I bought another copy of the same one (haha) and I’m watching and studying it with everyone. She’s like a god to me!
– A stage costume you like?
The open-necked satin blouses. I mean, they’re kinda sexy right? (haha)
– Favorite seasoning?
Mayonnaise! A little while ago, I even put it on pilaf and shocked everyone (haha).
– The timing of when your mindset toward performing changed?
When I performed in Yuumi Hiro’s dinner show “Héroe.” Up till then, I had this strong feeling of “I want to dance,” but seeing the culmination of her otokoyaku career from that close, my mindset about being an otokoyaku and a stage performer changed.
– Tell us about your favorite go-to sideshow* gag routine!
“Princess Jump” (haha). It’s hard to explain, but the way the heroine runs, I act it out by sort of kicking my legs up with all my strength and jumping (haha). Also an opera singer! If I let my voice out differently than normal, I can get it ridiculously low.
– “Actually, I…”
Hmmmm…. When I was an underclassman, I was so transparent people actually got annoyed with me (haha), I really had nothing to hide… hmm, I wonder. OH! I got it, actually I unexpectedly like cute things, I especially love Tinker Bell (haha). I also like Pen-chan, the character from the Line stickers.
– Please draw a self portrait!
A self portrait?! (haha)
Ok, like that I guess.
Uh, yeah, that’s about all I can do! (Haha)
– Are you the type to reply immediately on Line?
I don’t reply… ?
I read it, absorb it, and that’s it. When I do reply I don’t use emojis and stuff, so my classmates always tell me “WE DON’T KNOW HOW YOU’RE FEELING” (haha). I barely ever even use the Pen-chan stickers (haha).
—–
* 余興 is hard to translate into one English word. It’s these dumb skits they do privately to entertain each other/boost morale/”show off hidden talents”/generally be huge nerds/etc.
Harada Kaoru has appeared in/choreographed several OG productions, including the Dance Legend series (Argentango in 2014, Cafe Flamenco del Gato in 2016)
96ths Hatsubutai Interview
KIRIYA: Well then, this time is there something each of you would like to ask me?
KAZUKI: Yes. As an otokoyaku, is there something that you feel at the very least you absolutely must convey?
KIRIYA: Some things that I keep in mind are generosity, kindness, open-mindedness, etc. I think these things are tied to the greatness of an otokoyaku.
SORANAMI: In the current performance, it doesn’t seem as though you play Percy and Grappin the same way at all, so how to you go about putting together roles like that?
KIRIYA: It’s truly the first time I’ve played a role like Grappin, and it was really trial and error up till the end, but I used things like movies and Disney animation for reference. I gathered examples of magicians/wizards from Disney movies, and afterwards also ones who appear in ballet performances.
YUUNAMI: Since I’m seeing the parade feathers from so close by, on the opening day of your first Grand Theater show, please tell us what it felt like to have those feathers on…
KIRIYA: That sounds like an ordinary fan question (haha). Let’s see. The first time I wore them, I felt like I mustn’t let these feathers defeat me, but then when I stood before the applauding audience, all of a sudden I forgot about their weight. Standing on a stage where everyone comes out to see me makes me incredibly happy. Hmm… yeah, in one word, it’s “happiness.” And then, having to work hard at my own lead roles from here on out, I felt a new kind of determination.
OTOHANE: Please tell us the number one thing you remember from the run of your hatsubutai performance.
KIRIYA: Mine?! It’s the distant past so I don’t feel like I have many memories left…(haha). Since I felt so strongly that I wanted to become a stage actress, I was very eager, like “I want to be an otokoyaku now! I want to look sharp in suits and tailcoats!”
YUMEKA: On stage and in normal life, is there a method you use to cope with difficult times?
KIRIYA: If I can overcome this now, there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel! That’s something I continue to keep in mind. There’s nothing to do but look forward! When Takarazuka is at its best everyone is truly warm, and the upperclassmen and teachers may speak harshly, but that comes from a place of tremendous love. Therefore, the things they say to me are things for which I am extremely thankful, and if I can thoroughly digest that information within myself, I’ll be able to grow up and I’ll step into the next task. If I lose to myself it’s useless.
YUMEKA: Yes!
KIRIYA: As for current Moon Troupe, taking on various challenges as a reborn Moon Troupe, since the fact that everyone still comes in times of such upheaval gives all of us incentive, I’d like it if everyone could be proud that we all worked together to make this production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” And, in each of your troupes to which you’ll be assigned after this, please continue to nurture your stage personas warmly. With your own power, right? Everyone, do your best in this world overflowing with love, Takarazuka!
EVERYONE: Yes! Thank you so much!