The image of the “showgirls” descending the grand staircase along their dazzlingly costumed seniors is the most enduring and well-known image of the Revue. However, it is important to note that this grand parade occurs only at the end of a revue (an hourlong collection of song and dance numbers). A revue may be paired with a one-act play, or there may be an abbreviated revue-like finale at the end of a two-act play.

The company is split into five troupes – Flower, Moon, Star, Snow, and Cosmos,  Actresses specialize as either otokoyaku (who play almost exclusively male roles) or musumeyaku (who play almost exclusively female roles). The culture of the Revue is extremely strict. Actresses must remain unmarried throughout their tenure with the company, and maintain an impeccable public image. Offstage as well as on, actresses are expected to maintain the appearance of their assigned gender.

For every troupe there is always also a shinjin-koen performance (shinko) which is show performed once or twice by the junior members of the troupe.