Japanese

"Takarazuka"

"Tokyo University in the east, Takarazuka in the west."
This popular phrase implies how difficult it is to enter the Takarazuka girl's music school. It is obvious that Tokyo University is the highest hurdle for students but it is also very difficult to be admitted to Takarazuka- only one out of 40 can successfully join the class.

According to the announcement from the school this year, only 50 girls will be acceptable and any girl aged 15-18 may apply. The subjects being tested are singing, classic ballet and interview. No paper test is needed. However, in the singing test, they should complete the piece perfectly with the first look of the musical score and, they'll also have to perform a ballet complying with the strict classical movements. Without preparations, nobody can achieve the entrance. Therefore, there are many preparatory schools and also, many girls repeatedly take the exam year after another.

The Takarazuka was firstly established in Japan 1924. Why are the company members are all women? It is said that they are an ideal caricature of man that women understands. Obviously men and women do have fantasies that are quite different from reality.

Women act as men in Takarazuka whereas in Kabuki, the opposite is true. Acting women by male actors are often seen in Greek Tragedy and Beijing Opera or Indian performance. To our surprise, even ballet, little boys acted as woman characters in the past.

It seems that acting different gender is akin to realizing a dream.
Becoming another gender for limited time is an ultimate dream for most people.
I would imagine that most actors desire acting more than audience wanting it. Actor may feel a great deal of fulfillment by acting another gender.
Generally, people who experience stage performance could not stand to be away from the stage as they are hooked by the glamorous stage light and audience applause. Acting another gender must be quite an allure for them.
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