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Takarazuka Gekijo is an entertainment troupe which was founded in 1913
by Ichizo Kobayashi, whose clear business acumen led him to stage Western-style
musical shows featuring young, unmarried women. The trope takes its name from
Hankyu Takarazuka Line in suburban Osaka. Takarazuka Gekijo gave its maiden performance
in 1914. In the next ten years that followed, Takarazuka Gekijo? not only scaled
the heady summit of success but also acquired its own theatre, own theatre, the
Dai Gekij?.
Currently, Takarazuka Gekijo? is one of the most popular troupes in Japan and
boasts of millions of fans most of whom are women. The unique aspect of Takarazuka
Gekijo? is that all the characters in the play are acted out by the women. The
women who play the men's part are called otokoyaku and those who play the women's
part are called musumeyaku.
A typical Takarazuka Gekijo? is marked by lavish costumes and the performances
are exceedingly melodramatic and emotional.
As a company Takarazuka Gekij? has grown to own five troupes - Hana, Tsuki, Hoshi, Yuki, and Sora which when translated in English means Flower, Moon, Star, Snow, and Cosmos respectively. There is one extra troupe called Senka or the Superior Members which also comprises three members of the directors' board. The Flower and the Moon troupes were the first two troupes that Takarazuka Gekij? started with. Each of Takarazuka Gekij?'s six troupes is marked by variations in style and presentation that give them a unique individuality. Hana or Flower Troupe
They are the most important of the troupes in Takarazuka Gekijo?. Their performances
are usually a much sought after extravaganza. Lavishness marks both the stage
and the costume design.
Tsuki or Moon Troupe They are comprised by much younger performers. Good voice is a strong criterion for induction into Moon Troupe. The troupe specializes in musical dramas. Yuki or Snow Troupe The troupe has been credited for being the sustainer of the traditional Japanese dance. The troupe was the first to perform Elizabeth for the company. Hoshi or Star Troupe The troupe has earned quite a name due to the presence of extremely talented otokoyaku players in it. Sora or Cosmos Troupe The troupe is the newest of the six troupes. Their newness has left them unrestrained by the limitations of tradition, as a result they are given to experimenting a lot.
The performances of Takarazuka Gekijo? are usually in Japanese, but English
synopses are made available to them unfamiliar with the language.
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