saturday.

Went to bed some unspecified time between half past eight and nine last night which, unsurprisingly, resulted in waking up in the middle of the night. I rarely sleep more than four hours at a time. Honestly, I should go catch a couple of hours more, but I'm feeling like doing this entry first.

Maybe after hitting post, I'll give myself over to sleep.



So, I rewatched (in bits and pieces) some old Zuka shows yesterday and I have (mostly random and rambling) thoughts about what I saw. The shows I binged were Shall We Dance (Yukigumi, 2013-14), Dark Brown Eyes (Yukigumi, 2011), Milan Wrapped in a Fog (Yukigumi, 2005) - yes, Yukigumi is a trend, I own very few shows that don't star that troupe - and I have to say, they are extremely different. Both Milan and Shall We Dance are Grand Theatre shows with all the extravaganza that comes of that, where Dark Brown Eyes is a touring show. Even so, I think Dark Brown Eyes was overall the best watching experience. It stars Otozuki Kei and Maihane Mimi in the leads, and they both get to do a lot of what they do best, Kimu got to sing and Mimi got to dance (and what dance!) and the whole aesthetic was really good. Some really good sequences and songs. I need to watch it all in one go at some point.

Shall We Dance is a modern show, lots of use of visual effects and tech, but unfortunately it's still just not a good show. Saving graces are Kazuho So in the lead with Manaka Ayu as her character's wife (best musumeyaku solo ever!), but Sagira Seina was miscast in a musumeyaku lead role and Mizusu Aki was injured halfway through the run, so the DVD is from when her substitute took over her role which is just not as good... I love the original story for nostalgic reasons and I think this 'update' is really funny and in some places moving, but mostly it's just too silly without the charm of the original. For an ensemble show, though, there were strong actresses in there.

Last but not least, Milan. It's one of those BIG Grand Theatre productions that I feel I should love, but didn't. Maybe because I think Komu looked bored in the lead, Maachan's role was pretty but not really that significant and the most likeable character was the villain, played by my fave Takashiro Kei. It had the scope and air of an original Elisabeth prouduction, but didn't quite rise to that level. It was definitely an attempt at giving Yukigumi at the time something similar to it. Costumes were on point, though. OMG.

I still have a few shows to rewatch, in particular two non-Yukigumi shows, In the Amber-Hued Rain (Hanagumi, 2003) and Spring Snow (Tsukigumi, 2012), both favourites of mine. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. Later today. Whatever you call it.



I should also dig through my old photobooks. I know I have both Takashiro Kei's and Takumi Hibiki's, two of my favourite otokoyaku, stored away somewhere. Maybe I'll also go on the hunt for those soon.