Hi folks,
I've just collected some more details about Takarazuka's "Pimpernel" next year.

The show will be performed by the Star Troupe, which means that Aran Kei is expected to play Percy and Toono Asuka is expected to play Marguerite.

Aran Kei graduated at the top of her class in Takarazuka, joined the Snow Troupe in 1991, moved to the Star Troupe in 2001 and has been top otokoyaku (women who perform male roles) there since 2006.

Toono Asuka got her start in Cosmos Troupe in 1999, moved to Flower Troupe in 2001 and then to Star Troupe to be their top musumeyaku (women who perform female roles) in 2006. She is the first performer to start in Cosmos Troupe and go on to become a top musumeyaku (the troupe was started in 1998, and premiered Frank's "Never Say Goodbye" in 2006).

Performance dates are 20 June - 4 August in Takarazuka, then 22 August - 5 October in Tokyo. It seems general tickets go on sale a month ahead of each run.

Details and links at:
http://ThePimpernel.com/cgi/production.cgi...ction=586-Takar

Best,
Peter

Pardon my finding my way over here from the Takarazuka Wikipedia. I'd registered on these forums forever and a day ago (mostly because of Never Say Goodbye, but also due to a certain affinity for Jekyll and Hyde, helped along by repeated renditions of "This is the Moment" by Shizuki Asato). I lurk occasionally, but never really managed to get up the courage to post anything here.

I'd like to add that on Takarazuka's 2008 performance schedule, there are tentative dates listed for the upcoming shows' ticket sales. The schedule shows that tickets for the Takarazuka run are scheduled to go on sale May 10th and tickets for the Tokyo run are scheduled for sale on July 20th. Please keep in mind that these are still tentative dates and may or may not change over the next several months.

It's also good to note that, as this will most likely be a high-profile show, regular tickets are likely to sell out very quickly. It's really too far ahead to know for sure.

(As an aside, there's several of us who tend to keep a close eye on the official Takarazuka news page and update the TakaWiki performance page regularly. Most major news, including cast listings, tends to be translated and posted within several hours).

Thanx for the notice, both of you. I imagine that there would be a cast CD? Like "Never Say Goodbye"? I'd love if they recorded the complete show but I mustn't get excited. A DVD would be nice too. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself, thanx again.

This sounds fascinating. I agree, a cd would be really cool. Thanks for the info.

It's good to have you with us, Zephy. And thanks for posting that bit about ticket sales. I thought that's what those dates were on the official news page, but I couldn't be sure.

I try to follow information about this stuff as best I can. That means I rely a lot on things posted in English, on the TakaWiki, YG and LJ.

It sounds like Pimpernel is shaping up to be a great production. I do hope they release a CD or DVD for this one. :)

Best,
Peter

I figured I'd pass this on, since it's not info we usually post on the TakaWiki (which, incidentally, has been relocated to http://www.takarazuka-revue.info/tiki-index.php).

It seems we've been finallygiven at least a tiny bit more.　 They've finally put the base performance page up at http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/73/index.shtml. This is where the core of information for the Grand Theater performance will be posted. (There will be another page for the Tokyo show that hasn't been made yet, but the information typically stays about the same).

The Shinjin Kouen performance ("Newcomer" performance, for those who have been in Takarazuka for 7 or fewer years) at the Grand Theater is scheduled for July 8th. (They haven't yet put up information for the Tokyo performance).

Here's the base ticket info
http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/73/program.html

Tickets go on sale to the public on May 10th.

Anywhere you see " 貸切公演" is a company booked show, meaning tickets aren't publicly available. Usually these are shows completely reserved by companies and sponsors who make the tickets available to their members as perks (most often credit card companies)

Now that we're getting closer, there's bound to be more information coming out. The next info to be released will most likely be the list of who will be in the performance (which is generally all the members of Star Troupe, plus a few Senka members), followed shortly after by the poster for the performance.

The casting is generally announced on the first day of rehearsals, so I'd expect that sometime towards the beginning of May. The casting for the Shinjin Kouen (see above) will come a few weeks later. Then, before you know it, it'll be time for the show!

Thanks for the updates, Zephy.

I think it's going to be an exciting couple of months tracking this production. :)

It looks as though they'll have a special site for the show located here.

This is a more recent thing Takarazuka has been doing for its high profile shows. The way these sites usually work is that there's a flash intro which takes you to a site that contains everything from promotional clips, interviews, etc, to contests. The SP site, so far, has info for a contest to copy of the performance image picture (seen to the left) signed by Aran Kei (The otokoyaku top star lead).

I'd keep an eye on this area for any more goodies that might pop up ^_^

New updates!

Principal casting:
Percy Blakeney: Aran Kei
Marguerite St. Juste: Toono Asuka
Chauvelin : Yuzuki Reon
(It'll be a while still, but the remainder of the cast will eventually be posted here

Also:
The special site has had content added to it! Including:
Introduction/Story
Cast bios (the links on the left are the other actresses
Staff bio - for the director


But, perhaps of most interest to some of you:
A press conference was held yesterday
Main Article
The Cast's Interviews
(and I'll point out if you click on the photos, you get a gorgeous larger shot)

I have to say that their production has one mighty fine logo!
Thank you for translating.

Here's the article on the official Takarazuka site about the press conference.

Supposedly Touko (Aran Kei - Touko being her nickname) sang 「ひとかけらの勇気」 ("Into the Fire") and Touko, Chie (Yuzuki Reon), and Asuka (Toono Asuka) sang 「謎解きのゲーム」 ("The Riddle").

One of the confusing things about Takarzuka actresses is that fans/other actresses often refer to them by their nicknames (which are typically, or are based on, their real names, since they all take a stage name before graduating from Takarazuka Music School). If I happen to slip and use the nicknames, or you see them elsewhere, here you go:
Aran Kei = Touko
Yuzuki Reon = Chie
Toono Asuka = Asuka

I'm not sure what this board's policy is on posting links to YouTube videos, but I figured I'd point out the press conference video *link removed* that was broadcast a few days ago on SkyStage (Takarazuka's network).

They sang two songs, which according to a friend, are "The Riddle" and another she didn't recognize, so possibly a new song written for Touko?

Re: board policies. We discourage discussion of anything that is illegal... so if a clip on YouTube is clearly posted there illegally we don't want to have a link to it from here. If it's harder to tell, we can look the other way, especially if it's a single item and there's some relevant discussion.

I find this clip quite interesting - especially that "new" song. I don't recognize it either! I'll ask Frank if he's written something new for this production.

If things go as they have for more recent Takarazuka shows, the press conference video should be posted soon on the official website as well, under the as-of-yet inactive "Movie" section. (It was only just broadcast on the television network yesterday morning in Japan).

I'll remove the youtube link for the time being and throw you all a line anyone sees something go up on the site ^_^ Anyone intrepid enough can always find it in the meantime by searching for the show's title in Japanese (スカーレットピンパーネル) or English

Not huge news, but here is the complete list of those who will be in the performance
http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/73/perform.html

Or, if you prefer, romanized, we've added them to the page on the TakaWiki

(This is the entirety of Star Troupe, listed by seniority/rank within year; there will be no Senka members in the performance)

Frank has written a new song? Is there anyway we can find out if Nan did the lyrics too? I'm really curious now. I've asked her a question before but I don't want to go bothering.

Okay, I haven't been able to find out much, but here's what I know...

It's a new song, specifically for the Takarazuka production.

Nan didn't write the lyrics. I suspect Takarazuka wrote their own lyrics, so this will only be available in Japanese (no English version).

We'll just have to wait and see what other info comes out about this (and if we get to hear the full version or anything).

Wow, I'd love to hear the new song. And I agree, the logo is really cool-looking. Are all the roles played by women? Ensemble as well?

They went ahead and added the press conference video to the official site: You can find it Here. The content is slightly different than what had been broadcast on Sky Stage (more footage of the stars, less of the staff)

Just click on the image and it'll pop up in a new window



Lizhonig: Yep, the troupes are made up entirely of women. (5 troupes x Approx. 80 people in each troupe.... plus a special troupe (Senka) of 15 comprised mostly of women over 40 who work with different troupes). I'd get into a whole history/background info/how things are set up and work, but I'd rather not bore you to death.

Another update from Zuka-land!

Scarlet Pimpernel Production Notes



* Includes notes and photos of the show process thus far, including the production art, costume designs, promotional photography, etc.

(I may wind up translating these for you if I have time)

The Performance Poster is up!

(and gorgeous at that)

wauw, why did i first read this threat now?
I had no idea there where theater troops like that who put up big musical produktions where all characters are casted women, that is like heaven for me, (I have this stupid habit that all my dream parts are men)
I wanna start such a theater troop myself lol.
wauw how i really really wanna hear a recording or two from that prodution

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!

Some really good posters lately

CARMEN
RUDOLF
SCARLET PIMPERNEL

I don't like the one for THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO but that could be a temporary logo.

I said that I'd go ahead and translate the production notes page for you all, so here you go:
---------------------

2008>
----------
3/27 ~ Performance Production Press Conference

The press conference was held in a Tokyo hotel. To begin, the three performer representatives in attendance - Aran, Toono and Yuzuki - began performing. With piano accompaniment, Aran Kei as Percy sang the newly written song "Hitokakera no Yuuki" [Translator note: "A Bit of Courage"] by composer Frank Wildhorn, commissioned for the Takarazuka performance. To close, Toono and Yuzuki joined in for "Nazotoki no Game" [Translator note: "The Riddle" - or literally, "The Game of a Riddle's Solution"]. The wonderful music, the lyrics written by Koike, and the three performers' great skills as singers encircled the meeting room, shining as though on stage.

After the performance, the performers, Koike and others were interviewed by members of the audience. Each spoke of their enthusiasm, etc., to be putting on this performance. Looking forward to the curtains going up in June、the feeling of expectation for the performance is growing with anticipation of the show.

You can see part of this interview on the movie page.

----------

3/24 ~ Special Site Pre-opening

The original pre-opening page was setup, with a present contest offered for a limited time. Despite not having much notice, applications flooded in.

----------

2/24 ~ Performance Poster Photographs

Studio: Osaka

Leslie Kee and the staff gathered around 9:00 am. Again, they met about the poster composition, time schedule, etc. And in turn, the performers entered the studio - Aran Kei from about 1:30pm. Then Aran and Toono Asuka, Toono herself, and Yuuuki Reon got into costume, makeup and went through various checks, such as lighting before finally many photos were taken.

The time it took to photograph each performer was a long 3 hours (Because of many photo cuts, Aran's took approximately 5 hours!!). Nevertheless, Leslie Kee's and the performers' charm was more than enough to bring out their strength. The performers were at the height of their concentration. Many amazing photographs were projected on a monitor and the staff was speechless with wonder. (Since they were using digital photography, when a picture was taken, it would be displayed on monitor installed in the studio).

Chosen from among the gems, the best shots were used for the poster. (The poster is currently being worked on. Please look forward to whatever type of poster is to come!) [translators note: When the post was released on April 19th, this was changed to "Please see the poster here."]

* To the right are design drawings by Arimura Jun (Costume Staff)
* Released from the first day tickets go on sale(June 20th), You'll be able to see wonderful photos aside from those here on the special site's cast page and on the poster and in the performance program.

----------

1/18 ~ Leslie Kee (Cameraman) and Koike (Director) Meeting / Business Meeting

Location: Takarazuka Kagekidan

Leslie Kee, Koike and the staff who took part in the poster photo shoot gathered together. Rough drafts of the designs up to that point were discussed, and opinions concerning the performers roles and such, the look of the composition and its color usage were shared. The poster image was bundled up.

----------

2007>

12/23 ~ Aran Kei Teaser Promotional Photographs Taken

Studio: Takarazuka

Photos were taken during the morning of this day. Director Koike Shuuichirou, the cameraman and other staff tried many different adjustments in facial angles, expressions and ways of holding the sword as the shoot progressed. The photos were narrowed down to ten pictures, then later cut down to one photo that Illustrator Nishiguchi Shirou was commissioned to draw.

Differing from previous posters, it uses an overly fascinating visual to expand the performance's image.

[Photo on the right of promotional illustration drawn by Nishiguchi Shirou]

------------------
November ~
Business meetings about the performance Poster

Zephy, thanks so much for doing all that you're doing, to keep us updated on the Pimpernel plans. It's quite interesting to be able to follow these details. :)

I agree, the poster does look great... and it should when the stars take three to five hours for the photo shoot!

Oh, it's really no problem. I understand how hard it is to follow when you don't know the language well. I amost feel obligated as a Takarazuka fan <3.

(Also, I'm going to Japan from April 22nd to May 7th. I can't make any promises, but I might be able to pick up some chirashi (promotional fliers with the poster image on them) while I'm there. If I'm able to grab some, I'll be more than happy to send them along to whoever.

So, I'm back from my vacation in Japan

We're expecting the full cast lists to be posted sometime tonight. (It should have been yesterday, as the rehearsals began then, but there were other important announcements made that may have caused them to push the announcements back)

Here's the bits that we've gotten while I was away:
News that there will be a special limited edition of the program that includes a 12-page photobook along with the program. The normal edition is 1000 yen and the special edition is 1500 yen. It will be released with both the Takarazuka and Tokyo programs.

And added to the special site tonight:
A contest to win a SP hand mirror
and
A Publicity Page that shows different publications that will be promoting the show. Currently listed are:
Monthly Musical magazine (「月刊ミュージカル」) - May issue (release date 5/1)
(Aran Kei, Toono Asuka, Yuzuki Reon interview)

L Magazine (「Lmagazine」) - July issue (release date 5/24)
(Aran Kei interview)

I suppose you can blame Jetlag for the fact that I'm actually still awake to post this ^^;

Anyways, the cast list was released! You can see it in the original Japanese here, or transcribed into English on the Takawiki (with links to the actress profiles) here.

Mind you, the order of the roles (with the exception of the 3 main cast roles) is listed not in order of the importance of the role, but rather in order of the actresses' seniority in the troupe. You'll note a number of additions to the cast of characters in the original stories (Including Ffoulkes)

There will be one retirement from Takarazuka after the show ends: Yuuho Satoru, who will be playing Mercier.


There is also this article which has been posted. It's an article that talks about Frank Wildhorn visiting, plus them rehearsing something from the prologue and one of Aran Kei's solos.

A few more bits of news:

Shinjin Kouen lead roles announced
(The Shinjin Kouen is the "newcomer performance" - an abridged version of the show performed only by members in their 7th year of Takarazuka or younger, performed once during the Takarazuka run of the show and once during the Tokyo run)

Percy Blakeney: Kurenai Yuzuru
Marguerite St. Just: Aono Yuki


Also, they released a bit of a view of the special photobook / program

(I'll probably take a stab at translating the article concerning Frank after I get home from work this evening)

Well, we have word on the first bit of merchandise.

the Scarlet Pimpernel Piano Sound Collection.

The piano sound collection CDs are about 5 or so tracks long and include instrumental piano versions of the show's main songs.

There's still no word on what will be ON this CD, but the fact that this is coming out is a good sign that there will be other things as well!


The Piano Sound cd will be released on June 24th and will cost ￥800 (about $8 US).

The official sites don't accept international orders, unfortunately, but lately the CDs have been coming up on various other sites that do (such as amazon.co.jp and yesasia.com). Ill throw you all an update if and when I see them come available anywhere that will sell outside of Japan.

Lets, see... a few new things this past week. There were a couple new television appearances added to the publicity page.


A relationship flow chart was posted on the Story page. I might photoshop it into English for you all.

And they posted the Staff for the show. Here's what it says:

Original Author････････････････････････････････Baroness Orczy
Script/Lyrics･･････････････････････････････････････Nan Knighton
Composition････････････････････････････････････Frank Wildhorn
Adaptation / Direction････････････････････････Koike Shuuichirou
Musical Director / Arrangement･････････････Oota Takeshi
Arrangement･･････････････････････････････････Kuratomi Shinichi
Conductor･･････････････････････････････････････Sasada Aichirou
Choreography･････････････････････････････････Miori Yumino
Choreography････････････････････････････････Wakao Risa
Choreography････････････････････････････････Sakuragi Ryousuke
Swordfighting･･･････････････････････････････････Kurihara Naoki*
Set･･････････････････････････････････････････････大橋 泰弘
Costume Design･････････････････････････････Arimura Jun
Lighting････････････････････････････････････････Kasahara Toshiyuki *
Sound･･････････････････････････････････････････大坪正仁
Special Mask Design･･････････････････････････馮 啓孝
Singing Coach･････････････････････････････････You Shukubi

I filled in the names I was possitive or mostly positive about. Any names with a * next to them I'm not positive of. Name kanji in Japanese can have multiple readings and it's difficult for even Japanese people to read them sometimes.

So, are you tired of me updating yet? :D

The special site was updated with
a video clip featuring rehearsals.... and Frank watching and talking

In a demo recording appears a song named 'High Time'. These could be the new song in this production?

Zephy - I for one love the updates, keep them coming. :) That video looks great, and I see it has a bit more of our new song. I'm curious about the ring that's shown under News. Is that something they will be selling?

Allegro - "High Time" was recorded on an old demo... made sometime between the concept recording and the Broadway production. As far as I know, it has never been performed on stage. The new song here sounds like something different.

I'm glad the updates are helping a bit at least

Yep! I was just about to post about the ring in my new batch of updates.

First, there's a new entry under Production Notes, featuring Frank. I'll get to translating that a bit later for you all.

Second, as you mentioned, Performance goods update!. For their big-time, highly promoted productions, Takarazuka tends to offer special merchandise associated with the show. In this case we have a ring and a panel of the illustration image, in addition to the other typical things that will be offered (memo pads, cell phone straps, washclothes, clear file folders, etc. I'll link to them once they're put online).

It seems as though the ring will only be available in Quatre Reves (Takarazuka's merchandise shops - they're in the theaters and a few department stores around the country) and will not be available online. They'll be 5,250 yen (about $50 US) and will be available in Japanese ring sizes 11, 13 and 15.

Then there's the A3-size illustration panel. It's priced at 6,800 yen (about $65). It must be ordered through Quatre Reves and takes about 3 weeks. It'll be available only between June 20th (Takarazuka opening night) and October 5th (Tokyo closing night).

The items will go on sale on June 20th.

(I'm going to put this offer out here now... I'm moving to Japan on July 27th and will be living a half hour train ride away from Takarazuka itself. I can't guarantee what will be available in the stores at that time, but I will be more than happy to act as a go between for anyone who wants anything that may be for sale at that time. It would save you having to pay deputy fees or inflated prices, for sure)

Lets see... what else.... Oh!

The information page for the Tokyo performance was put up.
Here's the Tokyo version of the poster. (It's the same, just has the different dates/theater info on it.
Here's the performances and ticket info. Tickets go on sale on July 20th.
The shinjin kouen (newcomer performance) will be held on September 2nd.

Now that tickets are on sale for Takarazuka, I can explain the ticket page.
Circles mean that there are tickets available for those seats on those dates
Triangles mean that there are only a few tickets left for those seats
X's mean that those seats are sold out
A dash is listed under most performances u nder the 立見 (tachimi) column. Tachimi literally means "Stand and watch". These tickets are sold on the day of (toujitsuken) and are only available if ALL other seats are sold. They are 45 (i think) numbered spots available at the back of the theater to stand and watch the show (there are convenient bars to lean on)
休演日 (Kyuuenbi) means that there are no performances that day. Wednesdays in Takarazuka are "yasumi" or days off
貸切公演 (Kashikiri Kouen) means that it is a company-booked show, not available for public sale

A word of advice.. if tickets are selling as quickly as they are in Takarazuka (which is a larger theater with more seats... and isn't in the middle of one of Japan's largest city), Tokyo is bound to sell out very fast.

"So, are you tired of me updating yet"

Nope! Not at all!

About the ring, oh how I wanted one when I first saw the show. :rolleyes: The ring shown on the site is beautiful.

In that case, I'll happily keep updating you on all the details.

Last night, the remaining cast list for the shinjin kouen perforamce was announced. While some of you might wonder what the point of once show per run performed by the "underclassmen", it's a WONDERFUL opportunity for the young up-and-coming Takarasiennes to shine and show what they can do given their opportunity.
(keep in mind that the actresses, when they debut after their two years at Takarazuka Music School, are only between 17 and 20 years old. Shinjin Kouen are performed by those in their 7th year or younger. To put things in perspective, Aran Kei, the Top Star and lead for the main show, is currently in her 18th year and only became Top Star perhaps a year and a half ago.)

You can find these cast listings along with the others on The TakaWiki (English) or on the official site.

I went to the web site and I couldn't see the ring. I will need to go back to it when I have more time to look carefully.

And I have enjoyed receiving updates from the production in Japan, so keep it going, if you will. :)

http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/news/detail/25e...851e50763a.html

The ring is on this page <3 Or if for some reason it's not showing up for you:
http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/t-gazou/QR_ring.jpg

Thanks Zephry for the link to see the ring. That is nice. Love the pimpernel inl ayed in the stone. At least that is how it looks to me. :)