Shiki Theatre Company is a Japanese theater company known for its mesmerizing musical productions and theatrical marvels. With their exceptional talent and captivating performances, they have created a magical experience for audiences worldwide. Whether it’s a classic tale or an original production, Shiki Theatre Company never fails to amaze us with its creativity and dedication to theater. Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of Shiki Theatre Company and discover the wonders that await on their stage.
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Characteristics and Beliefs of the Shiki Theatre Company
The Shiki Theatre Company is one of the largest theatrical groups in the world, organized by approximately 1,400 actors, technical staff, and management staff. With a dedicated theater in Japan, the company performs a vast repertoire of straight plays, original musicals, foreign musicals, and family musicals. The members who support these activities have all come together to bring quality stage productions to the world, and they do so as a sincere business.
Delivering “the Excitement of Life” and “the Joy of Living”
An organization or a company has a purpose that can be abstracted into existence. For example, insurance companies sell “peace of mind.” The automobile industry or consumer electronics makers may sell “convenience.” Show business sells “pleasure.” The Shiki members’ moral is to make every effort to deliver “joy” and “excitement” to customers throughout Japan.
Another example is the strict meritocracy that pervades the Shiki’s stage. They do not cast famous stars from TV or movies based on their name recognition. More important for stage actors is the skill and ability to move the audience rather than name recognition. Actors exist to make their work shine, not the other way around.
Attractiveness of Not Adopting the “Star Principle”
The Shiki is open to all talented actors, and cast members are selected through fair auditions. Many Japanese theater and box-office companies besides Shiki adopt the opposite “star principle.” However, Shiki has the largest audience for a theater company in Japan because many audiences share our belief that the quality of their productions is of the utmost importance.
“Theater Schools” and “Workshops” of Shiki Theatre Company
The influence of the Shiki Theater Company is not limited to performances. Through theater schools and workshops, the Shiki Theatre Company has contributed significantly to training a new generation of actors. Many well-known actors today owe their craft and success to the guidance provided by this esteemed institution.
Those who pass the audition as a research student of the theater company can take various lessons according to the curriculum. While improving their singing, dialogue, and dance skills, they also learn about the Shiki Theater Company‘s methodology and attitude as a stage performer. Those who pass the final exam one year later officially become members of the troupe.
International Exchanges
Every year, outstanding plays are created on Broadway in the U.S. and the West End in the U.K. and performed globally. Shiki Theater Company was the first to introduce these new overseas productions to Japanese audiences.
The Shiki Theater Company, which has an extensive network and market throughout Japan, is trusted by theater professionals worldwide, and many overseas producers have asked us to produce their productions in Japan. In particular, the Shiki has maintained a partnership with Disney for more than 20 years since the opening of “Beauty and the Beast” in 1995. They have also worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber, the composer of such hit musicals as “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” as well as with production companies such as “Mamma Mia!” and “Wicked” productions.
In the 1990s, “Jesus Christ Superstar” was performed in London and South Korea, and “Li Xianglan the Musical” was performed in China (Beijing, Shenyang, Changchun, and Dalian). In 2006, “The Lion King” was staged in South Korea.
