Pacific Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 10, 1948, Tokyo, T�ky�                                Showgirls of Japan have following that could Well be envied by musical stars of the Amer ican stage. But the japanese approach to theatrical productions As practice by the Takar Azuka opera company is distinctly different from a typical Broadway musical. Occupation personnel assigned to the nearby fifth air Force base at Itami and ground Force installations in Osaka and Kobe find the Taka Razukas opera first on the recommended places to go and things to do in the Osaka Bay area. And one performance is enough to bring them Back month after month to see the Takar Azuka girls current productions. I the Takar Azuka opera represents a revolution in the japanese theater. Before this Century the stage was definitely off limits to japanese women with feminine roles played by men. But when Tizo Kobayaski organized the Takar Azuka opera in 1912 he reversed traditions and cast to idea was a huge Success. By 1940 the Takar Azuka opera company control led a Chain of 500 Heaters in Japan and its revues had been enthusiastically received in the United states and Europe six Hundred girls were singing dancing and acting in Taka Razukas shows when the War began in 1941. The japanese entertainment world took it on the Chin with the rest of the nation when Japan was Defeated but the Takar Azuka opera is making a healthy come Back. An always entertainment hungry japanese pub. Lie brings capacity crowds to the 3,500 seat theater in Takar Azuka and the. Road shows have returned playing to full House from Kyushu to hokkaido. To the average american who judges japanese women by Bow legged gig gling House maids and shop clerks the Takar Azuka girls Are a big Surprise. Expertly trained in singing and danc ing. And. Dressed in the glittering costumes of the Western stage they play their parts with poise and precision. They Are swaggering soldiers demure ingenue haughty aristocrats. Expert workmanship in stage settings lighting and background music adds to the professional Caliper of then  shows Are in two parts. First a modernized revue version of Japan Ese stories mainly the classical Kabuki and comic Ryogen plays. These bring an array of dazzling and expensive Kimono and the painted backdrops represent. Scenes Well known in japanese paintings and. Block prints. Songs and orchestral accompaniment Are westernized adaptations of traditional japanese auction with recent hits including Carmen merchant of Venice Mon Paris a Arles Enne and even glorious Hollywood an adaptation of the american motion picture Merton of the  it is in these modern productions that. American personnel find their greatest enjoy ment and always a few laughs. A play which opens with the performers dancing a sedate minute in 19th Century frock Coats and Fluffy Long dresses May be interspersed with the Takar Azuka rockette in glittering and Brief chorus girl costumes doing Jitterbug Steps to Bumble Boogie and there Ain t nobody Here but us  a circular stage permits Quick changes of scene and the Tempo of the shows is fast with characters speaking their lines and groups break ing into their songs and dances with exact professional timing. Songs and dialogue Are in japanese but theater programs summarize the plays for the americans attending. Program notes Are not always models of English translation. For example one resume describes a romantic plot she let Sawada who was head Over ears in one Side love with her kill Oyuki who she thought was the obstacle in her  but the printed programs give enough information for americans to understand the plays easily and with color music and action to hold attention language is no Barrier in following the Progress of the drama. Home of the opera is the sleepy Little resort town of Takar Azuka 10 Miles from Itami air Force base. Just across the Muko River from the theater is the Takar Azuka hotel Billet for Itami officers and civilian employees. In the wooded Hills nearby the families of 95 Itami airmen now live in the Homes built by wealthy businessmen of Osaka and Kobe. Among these americans the opera has an enthusiastic following and a Block of 48 orchestra seats Are re served f6r Itami Osaka and Kobe personnel. Reservations for occupation personnel Are made through special services which also handle arrangements for groups who come from Distant military installations to see the opera. In addition to the Large theater which is Complete with lobby souvenir and refreshment concessions Takara Zuka opera Headquarters includes a Park ranking High As a Beauty spot of Japan in Cherry Blossom time a zoo and a playground. A key part of the opera s Organiza Tion is the Takar Azuka music school. Here japanese girls receive Funda mental training in music drama and dancing both Occidental and Japan Ese style. It was in this school that the Takar Azuka s Prima Donnas trained for their careers. The pre War training course of five years has been Cut to one year and 65 girls Are now enrolled in the school but Entrance voice tone distinction Basic positions in dancing posture poise and their general attitudes. Housing is also a problem and with Only one 70-Capa City dormitory for both the opera girls and the students most prospective pupils must Here local housing accommodations before they can be admitted. As a result a majority of the Takar Azuka performers Are local Talent although girls from All Over Japan Are successful in gaining admission to the school and becoming stars of the opera. Most of the 30 instructors Are men Many of whom were trained in music and dance techniques in new York and Paris. Dance instruction is of All kinds from the formal Steps of traditional japanese dancing to the tap routine of american hoofers. Among specific styles the japanese have a particular attraction for the rhythmic castanets and the Flash and fire of Spanish dancing and practically All Takar Azuka revues highlight a Spanish number. Takar Azuka girls now total 235 and Are divided into four troupes with 60 in each. With names representing symbols of nature s Beauty the troupes rotate in presenting month Long productions at the Takar Azuka theater. While the Snow troupe performed in requirements remain rigid and last year Only 60 of 1000 applicants were accepted. Novices must be Between 16 and 19 years of age while 21 is the age limit for girls with previous musical training. All must be Junior High school graduates and must pass general knowledge music and dance tests. The applicants Are judged for photos on this pare by 5th of Takar Azuka the Flower troupe tour of fair a de the Northern japanese Island of ,. To i j. A hokkaido the Moon troupe was in training for the next month s production and the Star troupe a new group was being organized. Continued on Page 13