Two theater events in store for spring
 

Two of Korea's major performing arts festivals are slated for this month and May.
Kicking off today is the Seoul Theater Festival, the biggest of its kind, which will continue through May 24.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the festival's organizers decided to stage new versions of nine previously well-received performances. The list includes "Hansel and Gretel" and "Bomnal (spring day)."

"What we are doing is a meaningful job. We intend to modernize the value of the pieces from the past and in the process help liven up Seoul's drama industry," said a spokesperson for the Seoul Theater Association, which hosts the festival.

A notable work among the nine pieces is "Picasso's Women" by Seensee Musical Company. The Korean production of the play, created by Irish playwright Brian McAvera in 2000, will feature high-profile theater actresses Bae Hae-sun and Kim Sung-nyeo.

"Loft" Uijeongbu Arts Center     / "Picasso`s Women" Seoul Theater Association

"Picasso's Women" follows the intriguing real-life story of the eight females in Picasso's life - those who loved and inspired the master painter. The play features four of them: Olga Khokhlova, Marie-Therese Walter, Francoise Gilot and Jacqueline Roque.  In the play, the four each provide monologues about their lives and relationships with Picasso.

"Picasso's Women" runs through April 26 at Seoul Arts Center's Towol Theater. Tickets are from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. Seoul Theater Festival will take place at various venues, including Arco Arts Theater in Daehangno and Seoul Arts Center. For further information, call (02) 765-7500 or go to www.stf.or.kr

The 8th annual Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival will begin May 1, and will introduce a wide range of theatrical works that include music.
"Our festival is a new kind that introduces diverse works from dance to opera to multimedia performances in which music is crucial in understanding," said a spokesperson for Uijeongbu Arts Center, the festival host.

As the popularity of Broadway and West End musicals has soared since the early part of this decade, the organizers decided to experiment by creating the festival. It was an appropriate decision, considering that the industry's trend is shifting to the blurring of art genres, the spokesperson said. This year, a total of 11 officially invited works - six foreign and five local - will be shown through May 16. Various fringe programs and workshops will take place as well.

The Canadian circus "Loft," which will open the event, is one of the performances that best presents musicality while entertaining the audience the most, organizers said. The show, put up by the seven members of circus troupe Les 7 Doigts de la Main, will present eye-catching acrobatics, videos and nostalgic stage properties. The circus will also feature live DJing. DJ Pocket will present live music from classical, jazz and hip-hop to tango, adding to the dynamics of the show. "Loft" will be staged on May 1 and 2 at Uijeongbu Arts Center. Tickets run from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For details about the festival, call (031) 828-5897 or visit www.umtf.or.kr

By Koh Young-aah

[The Korea Herald]2009.04.16/By Koh Young-aa(youngaah@heraldm.com)