The Rose of Versailles has been dramatized for Takarazuka Revue by Shinji Ueda. The show's role in Takarazuka history is particularly notable as it established the "Top Star" system that remains in place to this day. Rose of Versailles also triggered a large surge in the revue's popularity, commonly referred to as the "BeruBara Boom" (ベルバラブーム, Berubara Buumu).
The musicals have either played up the importance of the Oscar-Andre relationship, or the Fersen-Marie Antoinette relationship. Shinji Ueda, a Takarazuka producer, asked Riyoko Ikeda to write new stories with scenes from the manga never before seen on stage and by placing a focus on minor characters. In 2008 and 2009, four new musicals were staged based on the minor characters Girodelle, Alain de Soissons, and Bernard Chatelet, as well as André Grandier.[1]
Takarazuka stage adaptations
The Rose of Versailles - The plot of this original performance is said to be the closest to Ikeda's manga
1974, Moon Troupe, top bill: Yuri Haruna, Asou Kaoru
The Rose of Versailles: Andre and Oscar - The plot focuses on the relationship between Oscar and Andre. The show went through several revisions over the course of the years. In later versions, Oscar is typically the lead role. However, in earlier versions, the show is often considered to have a double lead.
1975, Flower Troupe, top bill: Jun Anna, Yuri Haruna
1975, Snow Troupe, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa, Rei Asami
1976, Flower Troupe, National tour, top bill:
1979, Flower Troupe, National tour, top bill: Akira Matsu
1980, Snow Troupe, National tour, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa
The Rose of Versailles III - The plot focuses on the relationship between Hans Axel Von Fersen and Marie Antoinette. The Takarazuka run featured guest stars from other troupes performing in the role of Oscar. The show underwent a quick partial rewrite for the Moon Troupe performance, placing more emphasis on Fersen.
1976, Star Troupe (Takarazuka version), top bill: Ran Ōtori
1976, Moon Troupe (Tokyo version), top bill: Ran Ōtori
Fantasy The Rose of Versailles - A shortened version of the Takarazuka version of Andre and Oscar
1977, Flower Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Jun Anna
Takarazuka Fantasy The Rose of Versailles - A shortened and revised version of Andre and Oscar
1978, Snow Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa
The Rose of Versailles: Andre and Oscar - The plot focuses on the relationship between Oscar and Andre. Andre is given the lead role.
1989, Snow Troupe, top bill: Keaki Mori, Ichiro Maki
The Rose of Versailles: Fersen and Marie Antoinette - The plot focuses on the relationship between Fersen and Marie Antoinette. Fersen is given the lead role.
The Rose of Versailles: Oscar and Andre - The plot focuses on the relationship between Oscar and Andre. Oscar is given the lead role.
2001, Star Troupe, top bill: Kō Minoru
The Rose of Versailles - An abbreviated variation of Fersen and Marie Antoinette adapted specifically for the Takarazuka performances in Seoul, South Korea.
2005, Star Troupe, Korean Tour, top bill: Wataru Kozuki
Development for the musical in South Korea was announced in December 2022.[2] The musical company, EMK, has experience creating a rococo stage in the past by producing a revised version of the musical Marie Antoinette.[3] It was first presented as a preview gala concert on December 2–3, 2023,[4] and then premiere at the Chungmu Arts Center Grand Theater in July 2024.[5][6] In 2024, Riyoko Ikeda, the original author of The Rose of Versailles, visited South Korea ahead of that musical's premiere.[7]
It received positive reviews from critics for its cast and visual spectacle of set design[8][unreliable source?] but was criticized for the score and especially the story was criticized for trying to cram 10 volumes of the manga into a two-and-a-half hour musical.[9][unreliable source?]
Gong Min-seop, Jeong Won-il, Lee Eun-ju, Je Byeong-jin, Jeon Seon-jin, Kim Kang-heon, Jang Yeo-jin, Lee Seul-gi, Lee Geon-min, Kim Ri-an, Jeon Gi-su, Ahn Jun-hyeok, Jeong Won-sik, Hyun Seong-ho, Park Seong-jin, Baek Chan-hyeok, Seong Yoo-seung, Park Jun-byeong, Jeong Se-hoon, Choi Yoon-jae, Jang Jun-woo, Park So-eun, Shin Dong-woo, Jo Yu-jin, Park Yu-jin
* Note: Most, if not all, large scale South Korean Musicals are generally double or triple cast for a role. The actors share the role equally and alternate throughout the eight show week.
^"EMK, '베르사유의 장미' 오디션 개최... 12월 공연 확정 ［공식입장］" [EMK holds audition for 'The Rose of Versailles'... Performance confirmed for December ［Official Statement］] (in Korean). Xports News. 2023-03-06. Archived from the original on 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06 – via Naver.
^ ab옥주현·김지우…뮤지컬 '베르사유의 장미' 콘서트로 미리 만난다 [Ock Joo-hyun, Kim Ji-woo... Meet in advance at the musical 'La Rose de Versailles' concert] (in Korean). Newdaily [ko]. 2023-11-10. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
^옥주현·김지우, 오스칼 된다... 뮤지컬 '베르사유의 장미' 캐스팅 [Ock Joo-hyun and Kim Ji-woo become Oscar... Casting of the musical 'La Rose de Versailles'] (in Korean). Joy News 24. 2023-11-10. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
Robertson, Jennifer Ellen (1998). Takarazuka: Sexual Politics and Popular Culture in Modern Japan. Berkeley and Los Angeles, Calif.: University of California Press. p. 50. ISBN0-520-21150-2. (hardcover); (paperback).
