The Rose of Versailles Library

From The Rose of Versailles: Oscar Snow Trope 2006 Program

This production of The Rose of Versailles is billed as commemorating the 250th anniversary of Marie Antoinette's birth. However Queen Marie Antoinette does not appear in the Snow Troupe's 'Oscar' version of the show.

When I read Shinji Ueda's script, I was genuinely surprised. Even though Marie Antoinette was not supposed to appear I was genuinely surprised I could feel her presence everywhere throughout the story. Since the original production, as a junior creator, I have always secretly admired Ueda's talent for composition. Once again I am caught up in the Ueda magic and am again filled with admiration for his extraordinary talent.

When I created Oscar, the social conditions working women faced were far harsher than anyone today can even imagine. To enter the workforce alongside men was, in a sense, a challenge to society itself.

A woman could never hold a higher position than a man, nor be allowed to earn more than one. This meant stepping outside of society's norms, resolving to live a difficult life and facing all that adversity alone.

At that time, a wife still needed her husband's permission to work and men were still debating "Is women's advancement in society a good thing or a bad thing?".

I think there were many women in those days who wished to achieve self actualization, not as man or woman, but as individual human beings. I was trying to have Oscar speak on behalf of the heartfelt hopes of all those working women.

For Oscar, who strives with all her might to persevere in the face of adversity, André, who unconditionally accepts and supports her, was absolutely indispensable.

There are many women who say André is the ideal man. That is only natural, because I created André to embody the ideal man many women, particularly women with careers, long for.

I too wished to live true to my own convictions like Oscar, and I desperately longed for a partner like André. Whether such a thing is possible in real life, I will save that for another time. However on the Takarazuka stage, it is undoubtedly possible.

The beautiful, dignified, and gallant Oscar, is exactly as I wished she would be, embraced and showered with love by André, who is also exactly as I’ve always dreamed he would be.

There is Girodelle, who offers Oscar a love of aristocratic sensibility; Alain, who radiates rugged masculine charm; and there is Bernard, who triggers the shift in Oscar's ideology. I am proud that every one of the men surrounding Oscar is a role worthy of a Takarazuka star's serious effort to explore and develop.

There is endless enjoyment and things to look forward too. Who will play Alain and Bernard this time, what kind of Louis XVI and General de Jarjayes will show up on stage.

The Rose of Versailles: Oscar Snow Trope 2006

Cast:

Oscar: Asami Hikaru

Rosalie: Maikaze Rira

Andre: Aran Kei, Takashiro Kei, Mizu Natsuki (On Poster: Sena Jun, Kozuki Wataru, Haruno Sumire)

Gridelle: Takashiro Kei, (Sou Kazuho)

Who is Merry Clayton and what does she have in common with Oscar?

Merry Clayton is an American soul vocalist who has recorded backing vocals for The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Tori Amos, Carole King, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and many more... The chances you have heard her voice somewhere is very high.

She most famously recorded this iconic duet with Mick Jagger.

Merry was given the name "Merry" because she was born on Christmas day, just like Oscar!

In 1979, she recorded the promotional version of Michel Legrand's The Rose of Versailles theme. The film's theme, with lyrics by Etsuko Kisugi, was also recorded as a promotional single by Otori Ran, Ayako Sawada, and the Tokyo Girls Choir. The melody was later adapted into the song "I'm a Lady," featuring new lyrics, a disco inspired arrangement, and was recorded by Merry Clayton. As one of the film's largest sponsors, Shiseido used both the song and the film to promote its new red lipstick, "Dramatic Spring."

Merry also recorded six full length albums, and a plethora of solo work.

I’m a Lady

for Jacques Demy’s Lady Oscar (1979)

Music by Michel Legrand/Lyrics by James Diamond

Vocals by Merry Clayton

Lyrics

My spring is coming on This feeling I get so strong Is like a new morning Song in my heart that keeps beating On and on and on and on

My future lies ahead Winding roads to every dream Of laughter and singing young love’s beginnings Feeling my head it seems.

Shisheido Promotional Single I'm a Lady

For the film Lady Oscar directed by Jacques Demy

The sun rose of this fateful day, IMMORTALIZED in world history....

🧨🌭🎆

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(brought to you by Udon Entertainment...🫣)

Someone please tell me this was fixed in later printings?

😂

From Animage June 1980

Hey, how's it going? It's me, André. How was your holiday break? If you watch too much TV, your eyes will go bad, just like mine. You should go outside once in a while, try going for a nice long ride (but also, don't forget you have to watch The Rose of Versailles!)

I confessed my love to Oscar in Episode 28, didn't I? That's why things haven't been going so well with her lately. Furthermore, another major incident occurred. It's episode 29, "Military Uniform and Wedding Dress." That's right. A marriage arrangement is proposed for Oscar. I mean, I can understand her fathers worries, Oscar is having a hard time in the guard surrounded by nothing but rough men, but...

But parents are so selfish, aren't they? They raised her as a man all this time, and suddenly it's "get married!" Of course Oscar is worried. To make matters worse, the man is question is none other than Girodelle!!!! I am not at ease with this either. And that guy Girodelle even saw right through me...!!!

I may not have any status or wealth, but in a showdown between men, none of that matters!!!

In episode 30, "You Are the Light, I Am the Shadow," I found myself thinking about what "love" really is. Sometimes people do foolish things because they love someone. Oscar's father tried to force marriage on her precisely because he loves her. Even though he knew that Oscar would never marry…I, too, do foolish things precisely because I love Oscar. What did I do, you ask? …It's too painful to talk about. Just watch TV!!!!!

The Rose of Versailles: Fersen and Marie Antoinette Star Troupe 2006

Tokyo Cast

Poster and program photos

Fersen: Kozuki Wataru

Marie Antoinette: Shirahane Yuri

Oscar: Aran Kei

Lady Oscar 1979 Postcard

Published by Nippon Beauty Color

From The Rose of Versailles: Fersen and Marie Antoinette Star Troupe 2006 Program

It has been more than 31 years since the first performance of The Rose of Versailles by the Takarazuka Revue.

During that time there have been multiple revivals, and the media has gradually come to regard it as one of Takarazuka’s signature shows. I have even heard some not so funny stories of people who are under the impression that the Takarazuka Revue performs The Rose of Versailles year round, and after buying a ticket and going to the theater without making any reservations, they find out that the show being performed was something completely different.

For serious Takarazuka fans, this would probably be considered unforgivable.

In those 30 years there have been several national touring productions, but I had not seen any of them until now. This time, when I had heard from people "The pairing of Wataru Kozuki and Yuri Shiraha was absolutely fantastic!" I could not sit sill and rushed over to Sapporo to see final performance. Wataru Kozuki had played André in the 2001 production of The Rose of Versailles. When I was first introduced to her, looking up at the tall woman with the bright smile of a mischievous boy, I found myself blurting out "Wow, aren't you a child of the moden era!" making me sound every bit the middle-aged woman. Now this child of the modern era, that mischievous boy, was going to take on the role of Fersen, I could not imagine what sort of Fersen she would be.

But Kozuki said to me "It's very difficult, and I'm really struggling with how I should play this role." I honestly never would have imagined the Fersen she would end up creating. The warm embrace of a mature man that envelops Antoinette, the elegance of a high-ranking nobleman, the passion of a man in love...In the end, I found myself following the production all the way to its performances in Korea, and found myself analyzing the charm of Kozuki's Fersen.

One thing I have come to realize recently is that, among the characters in The Rose of Versailles, I think Fersen may be the most difficult role to play. Despite being the same age as Marie Antoinette and Oscar, he needs come across as a much more mature than either of them.

In terms of age, he is one year younger than Andre, but needs to demonstrate a level of emotional maturity that surpasses even his. Despite being in a position to attend upon Marie Antoinette, he is expected to posses the dignity and intelligence befitting the French royal family themselves.

On top of that, he must also possess the recklessness to risk his life to save the woman he loves. Looking back Yoka Wao also struggled greatly when she played Fersen back in 2001. She ended up giving a magnificent performance, showing great growth as a performer. The role of Fersen is one that even keeps the top stars up at night. It is however, a role that if approached with sincere dedication and real effort, can expand a performers range and repertoire.

Being paired with Yuri Shirahane, a very talented musumeyaku, the likes of which rarely appear, I hope you to take your time and fully appreciate and how brilliantly Kozuki portrays Fersen. As a mature, dignified man. And don't forget to pay close attention to the eye movements and the subtle pauses in gestures.