Takarazuka Revue

History

The Takarazuka Revue was founded by Ichizō Kobayashi, an industrialist-turned-politician and president of Hankyu Railways, in Takarazuka, Japan in 1913. The city was the terminus of a Hankyu line from Osaka and already a popular tourist destination because of its hot springs. Kobayashi believed that it was the ideal spot to open an attraction of some kind that would boost train ticket sales and draw more business to Takarazuka. Since Western song and dance shows were becoming more popular and Kobayashi considered kabuki theater to be old and elitist, he decided that an all-female theater group might be well received by the general public.

The Revue had its first performance in 1914. Ten years later, the company had become popular enough to get its own theater in Takarazuka, the Dai Gekijō, meaning Grand Theater. In 1934, the company opened the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, which then underwent a renewal in 2001. In 1978, the Bow Hall Theater was opened within the same complex as the Grand Theater. Seating 500, the Bow Hall features smaller shows that run for just over a week, and which often lack the grandiosity of Grand Theater shows. Currently, Takarazuka performs for 2 million people each year.

The company has five troupes: Flower (花, hana), Moon (月, tsuki), Snow (雪, yuki), Star (星, hoshi) and Cosmos (宙, sora), as well as Superior (専科, senka), an emeritus troupe for senior actresses no longer part of a regular troupe who still wish to maintain their association with the revue and perform from time to time. Flower and Moon are the original troupes, founded in 1921. The Snow Troupe was founded in 1924, followed by the Star Troupe in 1931 (it was disbanded in 1939 and was later reestablished in 1948). Cosmos, founded in 1998, is the newest troupe.

The Revue faced many challenges during World War II. They were only allowed to perform in the Japanese language, forced to perform militaristic shows, and their theater was requisitioned by the military late in the war. They could not reopen until 1946, after the war ended.

Although traditionally an all-female troupe, in 1946 Takarazuka employed male performers who were trained separately from the female members of the troupes. Ultimately, however, the female members opposed these new male counterparts, and the department was dissolved, the last male department closing in 1954. A 2007 Japanese musical, Takarazuka Boys, was based on this chapter of the company's history.

Each Grand Theater show will typically perform for one month in the Takarazuka Grand Theater before a three-week break, followed by a one-month run in the Tokyo Theater. Tickets are famously difficult to acquire, though are not considered to be incredibly expensive – the cheapest ticket available for a Grand Theater performance is 3500 yen, and the most expensive is 12,500 yen. All tickets for Bow Hall performances are 6500 yen, regardless of seat assignment.

The costumes, set designs, and lighting are lavish and the performances melodramatic. Side pathways extend the already-wide proscenium accommodating elaborate processions and choreography. Regardless of the era of the musical presented, period accuracy is relaxed for costumes during extravagant finales which include scores of glittering performers parading down an enormous stage-wide staircase, known as the ōkaidan, and a Rockette-style kick line. Lead performers portraying both male and female roles appear in the finale wearing huge, circular, feathered back-pieces reminiscent of Las Vegas or Paris costuming.

Original stories and historical adaptations

Takarazuka has also performed original musicals written "in house" based upon people and events in American, European, and Asian history. Among the more recognizable of these biographical adaptations are Last Party: S. Fitzgerald's Last Day, about F. Scott Fitzgerald; Valentino, about Rudolph Valentino; Dean, about James Dean; and Saint-Exupéry: The Pilot Who Became "The Little Prince", about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. They created a piece Wind in the Dawn: The Challenge of Shirasu Jirō, Samurai Gentleman about U.S. Occupations of Japan focusing on the rivalry between Shirasu Jirō and General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

Controversies

1958 stage elevator incident

On 31 March 1958, during a Flower Troupe performance of Spring Dances: The Children in the Flowers, 21-year-old musumeyaku Hiromi Katsuki died after her dress caught in one of the rotating elevation shafts during her descent on one of the stage elevators. Though that day's performances were cancelled, they resumed the following day, modifying the performance to not include the use of any stage elevators.

Several factors are said to have led to the circumstances of the accident, including the rotation speed of the elevation shaft, the size of the actresses dress, the way in which the metal frame of the dress was secured to the actresses waist, as well as the inattention of the elevator attendant. The head of Takarazuka City's police department, who was part of the incidents investigation team, suggested that the company should be held criminally liable for professional negligence resulting in death or injury. Beyond rumors of a 50,000 yen fine, it has not been officially reported if any civil action was taken or if any fines were levied following the incident.

Though this event is not officially acknowledged by the company, there remains a cenotaph dedicated to Hiromi in the Takarazuka Music School parking lot, along the Mukogawa river.

Cosmos Troupe member suicide

On 14 November 2023, Takarazuka executives held a press conference to release findings by an independent committee following the suicide of a 25-year-old Cosmos Troupe member on 30 September. The family of the deceased sought damages and an apology, alleging overwork and workplace harassment as contributors to their daughter's death. Records indicated that the troupe member logged 437 hours of work in August, well exceeding government standards for risk of occupation-related death. She had also told her family about being burned by a hair iron, only sleeping 3 hours a day, and being told "all the junior members' failures are your responsibility" by senior troupe members. Takarazuka Revue chairman Kenshi Koba announced at the press conference that he would step down from his role on 1 December, saying that the company did not sufficiently fulfill their duty of care for her safety. However they also stated instances of bullying or harassment could not be verified. On 23 February 2024 it was reported that Takarazuka Revue had admitted to evidence of power harassment to the deceased family's legal team. They are yet to come to a settlement.

Former Cosmos Troupe members reported a culture of harassment towards junior members including berating, forced apologies, physical abuse, and food, shower, and sleep deprivation. In February 2023 Shūkan Bunshun reported on the allegations of long-standing abusive practices and an allegation that the junior Cosmos Troupe member in question was intentionally burned on the forehead with a hair iron by a senior member. In response, Takarazuka executives had denied that any harassment took place and said that such allegations were hearsay.