This time I would like to introduce my
favorite theatrical company called "Gekidan Shiki"
Picture from Lion King
Gekidan Shiki was
founded in 1953 and this year, 2013 is their 60th anniversary.
Even if you have never heard of them, I’m
sure that you know, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, MAMMAMIA, Wicked etc…
those famous Broadway musicals are available in Japan. Those famous musicals
are translated into Japanese and performed by Gekidan Shiki.
Picture from Phantom of the Opera "Masquerade"
I personally love musical, especially
Broadway musicals, so I became huge fan of them since 2007and I’m their family
club member since then.
This summer, I’m going to go to appreciate two
musicals. One is “Yume kara sameta yume” （夢から醒めた夢）
This is
their original musical story. You can see the story line from here if you are
interested (but it’s in Japanese) and other is “Sound of Music”
What I love
about Gekidan Shiki is first of all, diction. They use special method of
diction, which is so called Vowel method. When they speak, they emphasize every
single vowel words so that you can hear what they said clearly. Second of all,
since it’s shown in Japanese, you can feel different impression from story.
As for the latest show, Little Mermaid from
Disney has been played, you can watch the introduction video clip from here.
This show has been running really good and
even fan club member can’t get ticket, but it must be really great show, so by
any chance you get to see this show, you must go! It’s really premium ticket!
Gekidan Shiki has many more great shows and
there are about 5 production has been played in Tokyo, so if you got time,
please go see their performance, you are going to love it!
If you want to know more about Gekidan Shiki
or want to know recommendation of which show to go, please ask me anytime!!!
haha
When I was back in London, I used to love going out to see musicals and I miss them very much. My friend also loves Gekidan Shiki and keeps telling me to go.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Lion King in England and enjoyed it very much. I was actually wondering what it would be like to see it played in Japanese. I might ask you a few questions if I do get to find the time! (Mai.T)
60 years are long time and I think it is not easy to continue. Gekidan Shiki have got wonderful reputations from lots of people not only Japanese, but foreigners. I can not imagine how Gekidan Shiki actors and actresses have practiced to satisfy thier customer. Thier performance level is so marvelous, getting much attention. (shinya Uchida)
ReplyDeleteI know that Gekidan Shiki is a very famous company but I did not know that it started in 1956. I wonder what kind of musical they were doing in 1956.
ReplyDelete"umekarasametayume"is a very complicated name. I cannot understand this name even I saw a plot.It's interesting!
I love little marmade! I want see it if I have a chance!
I have never seen Gekidan Shiki's musical. I want to watch it once! I have one question. I love musicals as you mentioned above article. It's all in English originally. Don't you feel strange to watch it in Japanese lyrics?
ReplyDeleteMaria Yaka
I saw a show at Gekidan Shiki with my friends. That is "Minami-Jujisei." This is mainly about world war II.
ReplyDeleteI really like it, because there acting are powerful and we can feel it how they are feeling right now.
I wish I can see another show someday! What is you favorite show at Gekidan Shiki?
Juzo Nogami
I saw a show at Gekidan Shiki with my friends. That is "Minami-Jujisei." This is mainly about world war II.
ReplyDeleteI really like it, because there acting are powerful and we can feel it how they are feeling right now.
I wish I can see another show someday! What is you favorite show at Gekidan Shiki?
Juzo Nogami
To be honest, I'm not a movie person or musical person. I'm more of a music person. But I do understand that movies and musicals have powerful messages to lots of people.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in America, I used to be in Orchestra, playing clarinet and bass clarinet. What's interesting is that this Orchestra played for our high school's musical. Our school played "Les Miserable", "Hairspray", "Christmas Carol". All of it was very fun to play.
Kenichiro Ikari
I went to see "Wicked" this sommer! It was really good! The story is funny and moving. And also the music is wonderful. I can't help thinking about it for at least a week. I want to see more of Gekidan Shiki musicals.
ReplyDeleteHaruka Kato
How were the shows? I didn't know you were a fan of musicals. I guess you should talk to Mai as she loves musicals too. I am not much of a fan as I find them too exaggerated. I can enjoy opera a bit more but again, I think it is exaggerated. Bunraku, though, I like! The movements and the background sounds are what attract me. Also the visual splendour. But having said that, I think that live theatre of any kind is extremely popular in Japan.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high school, I was the producer and stage manager for a musical called Pippin. I enjoyed that. The only musical I saw and loved was Rent. The music was fabulous. Do you know it?
Please keep us updated on the musical scene in Japan. Ms. MacGregor