.the princess portal.

The Good Witch of the West (Nishi no Yoki Majo) is one of my favourite Anime series. I wrote about it a while ago in a list of Princess Anime. Thus I was thrilled to learn that Tokyopop had set about translating the original novels on which the series was based!

I’ve just finished reading the English Translation of Volume 1, The Girl of Sera Field, and it has rekindled my love for Firiel, Adale and the magical world they live in. The story is somewhat like a classic fairy tale, a young girl growing up in a cottage in the wild north goes to her first ball, the right of every maiden on her 15th birthday, and there she discovers secrets about her past which lead to a series of events that change her world forever.

It is a little bit Cinderella and a little bit Anastasia, the tale is innocent and classic so don’t expect anything terribly original. It does however, possess that special captivating charm that draws you in and makes you dream of stars and queens and impossible castles. The anime had to squish a lot of plot line in to a short series, so I am looking forward to seeing how the political and court intrigue is played out in more detail over the course of the books.

Its hard to tell how good the translation is, as I suspect the original was written mostly to appeal to a young female audience, with flowery language and romantic notions (not that this bothers me in the slightest! Just don’t expect Dickens.) This is very indulgent fiction though, and has its uniqueness to me in being a Japanese interpretation of standard western fanatasy. Even the Dragons and Unicorns seem new and exotic, which is quite enchanting and hard to achieve.

I can’t wait to pick up a copy of Volume 2! What have you been reading lately?

Two years ago I saw my first Imperial Ice Stars performance, Swan Lake, and left the theatre speechless after witnessing the most incredible work of choreography I had ever seen, performed on a stage of solid ice by talented athletes and performers, some of whom were skating on stilts!

Tonight I was lucky enough to go back to the Burswood Theatre and see their newest production, Cinderella. Lee and I booked tickets to the performance months ago, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting it ever since. We arrived at the theatre a little early and so decided to sit down and enjoy some tea and delicious cream puffs and chat for a while before the show started.

When it was time we found our seats and waited for the show to begin. It opened interestingly to scenes from Cinderella’s childhood and her mother’s passing. From here the screens rose to a town scene, where most of the performances took place. The adaption was very creative and unique, with art deco sets, victorian inspired costumes, a brief tribute to Swan Lake (which felt a little out of place but was enjoyable none the less) and a few changes to the plot. The ‘Prince’ was the son of the town Mayor and the ‘Fairy Godmother’ was a fortune teller from a band of colourful Gypsies. It seemed that Cinderella’s Father did not die at the beginning, but became an important character in the story. The whole performance kept you interested and guessing about what would otherwise be a very well known fairy tale.

The most talented performers in my opinion were Cinderella’s Father, who had a lot of character and very strong arms to carry the weight of both stepsisters! And outshining even Cinderella was the Stepmother, who had an amazing stage presence and dramatic presentation as well as an eye catching costume. All the performers were skilled though, and there were some interesting routines involving climbing strips of fabric, irish dancing on skates and some beautiful wirework that sent the dancers floating through the air.

The entire show was simply breathtaking. Lee and I were enthralled from start to finish (minus the interval where we had to make a mad dash to beat the restroom que!) and we left the theatre gushing over the incredible feats and beautiful music and costumes. If you have yet to see an Imperial Ice Stars production I highly reccomend it, its ballet and figure skating and acrobatics all set to haunting music and gorgeous set and costume design. I can’t wait to see them again!

Last Saturday I went with some lovely Ladies and Gentlemen to see a performance of Beauty and the Beast at the Regal Theatre. It was a musical adaption of the Disney Movie and featured the same beautiful soundtrack as well as some original songs. I believe the actors were all local talents, and they were definitely well cast! The roles of Belle, the Beast and Gaston were particularly impressive, as was the voice of Madame De Le Grand Bouche.

The first thing that caught my attention was the beautifully made and designed sets, all of which were moved quickly and easily to form different scenes from the movie. From Belle’s village and cottage to Beast’s castle and the dark forest. The costumes were also stunning, very detailed and creative. Cogsworth and Lumiere were gorgeous, and Lumiere’s candlesticks lit up with real flames while Cogsworth had a pendulum that swung back and forward as he walked.

The musical score was very well used, including the original background music from the film (which I love.) All the performers had excellent voices and the actress who played Belle sounded so close to the voice actor in the film! I especially loved the musical routine for ‘Be Our Guest’ though I was a little dissapointed that they cut out the snow scene in the movie where Belle and The Beast are feeding the birds, as thats one of my favourite parts.

It was a magical experience and very true to the film, which is my favourite of the Disney Princess movies. I highly reccomend going to see the musical if it comes to your area, it’s quite a treat!

The film I am going to reccommend today is one I think you may either adore as much as I did, or not enjoy at all. Angel is the first english language film by French director François Ozon. It is based on the book by Elizabeth Taylor about a young girl in the Edwardian era who goes on to become a popular writer. The movie encompasses almost the entire life of Angel Deverell, her rise and fall and the unusual relationships she has along the way. All the time it leaves the viewer a little bit outside of Angel’s world, seeing her as the other characters might, rather than as she sees herself, which is an intriguing contrast in itself.
I have not read the book yet, but I would definitely like to get a copy to compare the two.

What is very interesting about this film, and you will either love or hate, is Angel’s character. She is fiercely defiant, arrogant, demanding, romantic, imaginative, gifted and entirely in love with herself and the little world she has created. Romola Garai’s performance was enchanting, and her peculiar beauty suited the character perfectly. I found Angel fascinating, because unlike other romantic, highly imaginative heroines (Anne Shirley, Sara Crewe etc.) she is not exactly easy to like or sympathise with.

The story takes you from Angel’s humble beginnings as the daughter of a grocery store owner, to her efforts to become published, her wild success and her romance with a debauched painter and close friendship with his sister. Towards the end of the film the war begins and we see how this brings change to Angel’s very doorstep, even though she tries to hide from it.

Visually the film is stunning. The costumes, especially Angel’s dresses, are opulent to the point of being a little bit tacky (but this is in keeping with her character) and her estate, Paradise House, is almost a palace in itself. For lovers of period costume and extravagant decor its definitely eye candy.

This movie actually won me over as it progressed, for a story about such an eccentric person it felt very real. There were no great moral lessons to be learned, and none of the characters really got what they ‘deserved.’ Nonetheless it is the tale of a dreamer who managed to make her dreams reality, and seemed to live her whole life inside these dreams, even when the world doesn’t co-operate, and I think thats what makes this film so uniquely beautiful.

Today I’m going to share with you one of the most delightful little treasures I have found recently. Penelope is a quirky modern fairy tale about the daughter of an aristocratic family who is born under a curse. The curse states that she shall have the face of a pig, and only when she is accepted by one of her own kind will the curse be lifted.

Her parents do the best they can to protect her from the world, hiding her away safely, and at the same time making her a prisoner in her own home. Here she creates a little sanctuary, surrounded by books and miniature plants in glass domes, a reflection of her own state. Meanwhile her Mother seeks out countless suitors from blue blood families hoping that one of them might marry Penelope and break the curse. However as soon as they see her face, they all run away in fright, until one day..

There is something peculiarly enchanting about this film, a little bit of a cross between Disney and Tim Burton. The styling and cinematography are magical, taking you from the safe, lush green haven of Penelope’s world to the brilliant city beyond. I love the art direction and costuming, Penelope’s outfits are blended with gorgeous jewel tones and lush patterns. The music is curious and playful and sometimes a little bit dark and the whole film has a feel that you can’t quite put a name to. Christina Ricci is cute and clever as Penelope and James McAvoy is fast becoming one of my favourite british actors.

The story itself is unique, a fairytale where the Princess isn’t beautiful, and the Prince less than honest. Where we see the way the world treats someone who is ‘different’, with a strange mixture of disgust and fascination. Where true friends see beyond appearances and we can experience the big beautiful world again with all its dew-fresh magic through the eyes of a girl who has only read about it in books. That is my favourite scene, you will know what I mean when you see it!

Penelope is the sort of film that surprises you, whatever you were expecting.

I’ve just finished one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a very long time. I was originally attracted to it by the gorgeous cover art, the work of Kinuko Y. Craft, one of my favourite artists. I have found as a general rule, any book she illustrates the cover of is at least worth trying. I was well rewarded by Wildwood Dancing, the story of Jena and her four sisters living in rural Transylvania in their Father’s castle on the edge of the Wildwood.

Every month at full moon the girls open a secret portal in their bed chamber and cross a lake to join the faerie revels of the Other Kingdom. However, one winter with their Father gone to a foreign land the girls must fend for themselves, with sinister presences entering both their world and the magical kingdom they must untangle the mysteries around them before its to late, to keep their freedom and save eachother.

What I love about this book, is that it is an interesting retelling of The Dancing Princesses but it also weaves in a few other fairy tales that I can not mention without spoiling the plot! However, although it is based off these tales it is also a treasure in itself, and quite unique. The characters are all very real, and the main character Jena is a strong woman who nonetheless must learn a few lessons herself. I really loved the delicate balance the author established between traditional fairy tale morals and modern ideals. She also managed to include vampires in a way that was both subtle and fitting, which impressed me a lot as I am not fond of vampire stories usually.

I fully reccomend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales and fantasy, and especially if you love the tale of The Dancing Princesses, this is probably the most original and interesting retelling I have read! I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that the author lives in my own city, by our beautiful Swan River. It makes the book even more special to me and I think I will look for some more of her works now!

A slightly different post for today, but recently I added a little box to the sidebar for weekly quotes. You might like to keep an eye on it for little inspirations now and then.

I have a certain fondness for quotes, I know they can become trivial or cliche if overused, but the idea of collecting little bits of wisdom condensed in to a few words I find quite beautiful. Having these short sayings and proverbs stored away in our minds is like having little reminders, hankerchiefs tied in knots. They remind us that we’re not alone, that other people have made the same mistakes, been through the same hardships and learnt the same lessons we are. They can also act as affirmations, to drive us on when things get tough. My favourite website for finding quotes is Thinkexist.com because its easy to search by author, or theme or even a random word!

Here are just a few of my favourite quotes. What words have always been precious to you?

I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. - Anne Frank

I am a part of all that I have met; yet all experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades for ever and for ever when I move. - Lord Alfred Tennyson

The entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person. - Vi Putnam

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. - C. S. Lewis

We’re all made of stories. When they finally put us underground, the stories are what will go on. Not forever, perhaps, but for a time. It’s a kind of immortality, I suppose, bounded by limits, it’s true, but then so’s everything. - Charles de Lint

There are people whom one loves immediately and forever. Even to know that they are alive in the world with one is quite enough - Nancy Spain

“It’s true,” she said. “Sometimes I do pretend I am a princess. I pretend I am a princess, so that I can try and behave like one.” - Sara Crewe, A Little Princess

Time is life itself, and life resides in the human heart. - Michael Ende

We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream - Peter S. Beagle

Last night I went to see Prince Caspian with a group of friends. A few of us decided it would be fun to dress up so I pulled out my best ‘Narnian’ gear. I had a vintage cotton dress that was vaguely medieval in style, some belts, a little leather bag and a cape that I made when I was thirteen. Jill came as the Lady of the Green Kirtle from the later book, The Silver Chair, and Christine was our Prince Caspian.

The movie, like its prequel, far exceeded my expectations. The Chronicles of Narnia are very dear to me, I have a rather battered set of the paperbacks that my grandmother sent me when I was very young and each page and line is a familiar friend to me so I was concerned when they started filming the series that they would not hold true. However I also recognize that turning a book in to a movie or play or such is not easy, and changes need to be made sometimes to present it as a whole. I think they did wonderfully with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and although they took more licence with Prince Caspian it also preserves that warm, magical charm which the books have always held for me and I am so grateful to them for capturing the spirit of the original, I also think the casting was perfect.

My favourite scene is between Lucy and Aslan in the grove of the birch trees, I remember reading this same scene in the book and it always brought tears to my eyes, although it was different in the film there was enough of that poignant, deep feeling that I was overwhelmed with nostalgia.

I’ll probably go back to see it again while it’s still in the cinema, and I really want to rewatch the first one too now. However, more than anything I’m looking forward to the release of The Voyage of the Dawntreader, as that is my favourite of the series.

“…they felt as glad as anyone can who feels afraid, and as afraid as anyone can who feels glad.” - C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

I’ve just finished reading Inkspell, the sequel to Inkheart written by Cornelia Funke. She is also the author of The Thief Lord, which I previously mentioned in this entry. Inkspell actually took me quite a while to finish, I really enjoyed both books but found they tended to have slow parts that were a little hard to get through but worthwhile for the rest of the story which is vivid and enchanting.

Inkheart is the tale of Meggie, a bookbinder’s daughter who loves reading more than anything else. She discovers, however, that its not always so safe a pastime and in fact when her father reads out loud, very dangerous things can happen indeed. Inkspell continues the story, throwing Meggie, her Father and the author of the book in to his own story. I can’t tell you much more of the plot than that without giving it away, but if you have a love for books you might really enjoy it.

In the Inkworld you will find fairies and glass men, castles and Princes (and one poor Princess who doesn’t get enough mention!) wandering players, bands of robbers and a story that can change with a few written words.

I think what I love about the Ink books is that they feel like a return to what I think of as classic fantasy, Narnia, The Never Ending Story, The Wizard of Oz, where ordinary humans find themselves drawn in to worlds that are magical and strange but reflect their own lives and reality very clearly. I like stories that don’t focus on the world so much in detail but instead dwell around themes and interesting characters. Cornelia Funke has achieved this quite well, and most of all, her stories make me want to write!

They’ve also made the first book in to a movie which is due for release in early 2009. You can watch the trailer here; Inkheart Movie. I’m really looking forward to it and hoping it stays true to the book!

Usually I write about Inspirational Movies or Books I have read, however I also really enjoy watching japanese animation, so I thought I might do a little list of my favourite ‘Princess’ themed anime. I hope you will enjoy these, and perhaps suggest some that you have liked yourself!

Nishi no Yoki Majo (Good Witch of the West)
A visually stunning fairytale themed series. Despite the title, it is not about a Witch but a young woman named Firiel Dee who lives in the country with her adopted family not too far from her reclusive father, studying in his tower. When Firiel turns fifteen she is allowed to go to a ball celebrating the Queen’s birthday, there she meets Adale a Queen Candidate and discover’s that she too is a Princess. The series features a magical world with grand balls, beautiful palaces, unicorn mounts, mysterious magics and dashing young lords. It’s a very under-rated series but I found it utterly enchanting.

Princess Tutu
An unique ballet-themed series about a girl named Ahiru who is really a duck, whenever she says ‘Quack!’ she returns to her duck form and is only human again when she comes in contact with water. Her third alter-ego is Princess Tutu, a girl with magical powers who can dance perfect ballet. Ahiru herself attends a Ballet school and the story is an interesting mix of various storylines from classical ballet, the music score is beautiful.

Princess Sarah
Based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Princess Sarah was released in 1985 as a part of the World Masterpiece Theater. The anime extends the story of Sara Crewe, giving her some new friends and characters, however apart from that it stays very close to the original book and the animation style is sweet and simple. Sara’s thoughtful, eccentric personality is well portrayed, though with a touch more japanese modesty.

Rose of Versailles
My favourite Anime of all time. Set in 18th century France before and during the revolution, it is the story of Oscar de Jarjeyes, a girl born in to a noble family and raised as a man because her father had wanted a son. She eventually joins the Queen’s Guard and become’s involved in Marie Antoinette’s circle. The series covers many of the events leading up to the revolution including the Diamond Necklace Affair and is a must see for any other Marie Antoinette fans! Sword fighting, balls, beautiful gowns and a story that makes me cry each time I watch it.

Puchi Puri Yushii (Petite Princess Yucie)
This is a cute little anime based off a game called ‘Princess Maker,’ and it is the story of a 17 year old girl trapped in a 10 year old’s body. She discovers that to break the curse she must win something called the Eternal Tiara, for which she becomes a Platinum Princess Candidate and is accepted to an elite girl’s school. The story is humorous and bittersweet, soon Yucie is joined by the Princesses of other world, Kokoru from the Spirit World, Glenda from the Demon World, Elmina from Heaven and Beth of the Fairy World. Together they face a series of tasks to determine the Platinum Princess, but they all discover that there are more important uses for the Tiara and must let go of their own desires to help those they love. Very touching and sweet.