Ernest in Love is a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. It was first performed in 1960. This version is a Japanese translation performed (for the third or fourth time, depending on how you count it) by the Takarazuka Revue. I've never seen/listened to the English version of the musical, so I don't know how closely it sticks to that. But I have seen The Importance of Being Earnest, so I wasn't completely lost.
Takarazuka fans tend to have one or more actress they especially love. For me it's Mirio (Asumi Rio or Rio Asumi, depending on whether you use the Japanese or Western name order). What will I do when she retires in November? ...Cry. Cry a lot π In the meantime I'm doing my best to watch every one of her shows I can find.
Actresses I recognised:
Rio Asumi (Death in Elisabeth 2014) as Jack/Ernest
Toa Serika (Rudolf in Elisabeth 2014) as Algernon
Juria Hanano (Rachel in The Poe Clan) as Miss Prism
Rin Yuuma (Inspector Ledoux in Phantom 2011) as Lady Bracknell
For some reason the orchestra isn't in an orchestra pit. (Apparently this show was in a theatre that doesn't have an orchestra pit?? I can't see one, anyway π€·) Instead they're on the stage, inside a... conservatory? This is the first Takarazuka production I've seen that does this.
The musical starts with Algernon's butler having a song and dance routine with some townsfolk. It's safe to assume this is the opening narration, but I understood maybe one word in twenty. Then Algernon wanders onstage, into what's apparently some sort of market-place, in his nightclothes. Huh?
The orchestra, in what looks like a bird cage. Goodness knows why.
The musical starts with Algernon's butler having a song and dance routine with some townsfolk. It's safe to assume this is the opening narration, but I understood maybe one word in twenty. Then Algernon wanders onstage, into what's apparently some sort of market-place, in his nightclothes. Huh?
I suppose dialogue provides some context for this scene, but it's pretty weird for non-Japanese speakers.
I fully expected most of the comedy to go over my head (the trials of watching anything in a language you don't speak...). Some of it certainly did, but I still roared with laughter frequently. Even when you don't understand everything (or anything), you can still tell when someone's telling a joke by their expressions and tone. And then there's the sheer absurdity of some scenes, which requires no translation to be funny.
Jack (AKA Ernest) and Gwendolen's first appearance is one of my favourite scenes π Jack rehearsing his proposal in front of a mirror is funny on its own. Jack and Gwendolen pushing the mirror back and forth is even funnier. Sure, it makes no sense (they aren't even in the same house, let alone on different sides of the same mirror), but who cares about little things like that?
Jack π
Gwendolen
I laughed and laughed when Algernon stops Jack from eating sweets(?). Jack tries and tries to get those sweets or whatever they are, even moving his chair closer and giving Algernon puppy-dog eyes. Instead Algernon eats them himself. What a great friend π
Jack, Algernon, and a plate of... something edible. Can't be more specific than that, I'm sorry to say. (The joys of missing almost every word! π)
Love that song where Jack and Algernon get off the stage and walk around next to the audience! (Can only imagine how cool that must have been for the audience!) Doesn't hurt that the song itself is perfect for humming (and whistling, and clapping, and nodding...) along to.
Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive. Gwendolen and Jack spend the next few minutes trying to get closer to each other without anyone noticing. When they're finally left alone they're apparently struck with a complete inability to speak. Their awkward grins at each other and the way neither can find anything to say are adorable. And of course, very funny. So is their "conversation". They run at each other, both say "γ―γγγΎγγ¦" (hajimemashite, "nice to meet you"; one of the few Japanese phrases I recognised immediately), and then they spend a minute frantically rushing around the stage. It's even funnier than it sounds π
What farce would be complete without a disapproving parent walking in at the worst possible moment? Gwendolen and Jack fall onto a sofa just in time for Lady Bracknell to see them. Naturally, she gets the wrong impression.
It's not what it looks like... but tell that to Lady Bracknell.
Lady Bracknell isn't pleased about her daughter's engagement. She's even less pleased to learn Jack was found in a handbag as a baby. There's a truly weird song here. It involves a giant handbag, dozens of extras in unconvincing wigs, and Jack wearing a baby bonnet. Goodness knows why.
Algernon -- using the name Ernest -- goes to visit Jack's ward, Cecily. His attempts at getting Cecily's attention while she's singing are priceless π Of course they fall in love. Of course Jack doesn't approve. And of course Gwendolen turns up, learns Cecily is engaged to "Ernest Worthing", and gets the wrong impression.
Cecily
Love the bit where Jack, pretending to be in mourning, tells Miss Prism and the pastor that his brother Ernest has died, then learns "Ernest" is visiting π And his face when Algernon appears! He looks so utterly disgusted!
The mix-up about who's engaged to whom is eventually resolved, and Gwendolen and Cecily learn neither of them is engaged to the non-existent Ernest. They aren't happy about it. Jack's and Algernon's reactions are priceless π My favourite part is when Algernon calmly has a cup of tea while Jack sulks on the floor. Then Gwendolen and Cecily forgive them... just before Lady Bracknell arrives.
This scene is comedy gold, but special mention must go to the discovery of Jack's real parentage. Jack's excited shouting, Algernon and Jack hugging and crying, the onlookers' reactions... Perfect chaotic hilarity. And of course, all the implausibilities are wrapped up with a happy ending π
Takarazuka shows end with a revue of varying length. As far as I can tell, for one-act shows, the revue is about an hour long and separate from the musical that preceded it. For two-act shows like this one, the revue is much shorter and is an assortment of songs from the musical. The actresses wear very (very) glittery costumes as they dance and sing.
The mix-up about who's engaged to whom is eventually resolved, and Gwendolen and Cecily learn neither of them is engaged to the non-existent Ernest. They aren't happy about it. Jack's and Algernon's reactions are priceless π My favourite part is when Algernon calmly has a cup of tea while Jack sulks on the floor. Then Gwendolen and Cecily forgive them... just before Lady Bracknell arrives.
This scene is comedy gold, but special mention must go to the discovery of Jack's real parentage. Jack's excited shouting, Algernon and Jack hugging and crying, the onlookers' reactions... Perfect chaotic hilarity. And of course, all the implausibilities are wrapped up with a happy ending π
Takarazuka shows end with a revue of varying length. As far as I can tell, for one-act shows, the revue is about an hour long and separate from the musical that preceded it. For two-act shows like this one, the revue is much shorter and is an assortment of songs from the musical. The actresses wear very (very) glittery costumes as they dance and sing.
Some of the glittery, glittery costumes π
Ernest in Love is not the sort of musical you'd watch if you want a gripping plot or excellent songs. But as a hilarious farce with enjoyable songs, it's perfect. It's certainly very good at cheering up unhappy writers π
Is it available online?: ...Yes, but better not say where.
Rating: 6/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment