The First Production at the Remodeled National Theater Haerum Theater
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] The National Changgeuk Company, the resident troupe of the National Theater of Korea, announced on the 13th that it will premiere its new work "Gwito - Rabbit's Palan" (hereafter "Gwito") at the Haeoreum Theater from the 2nd to the 6th of next month.
"Gwito" is a changgeuk adaptation of the pansori "Sugungga," featuring the top hit duo Go Seon-ung and Han Seung-seok, who also worked on the National Changgeuk Company's blockbuster "Byeonggangsoe Jeomjjigo Ongnyeo." This work will be the first to be presented at the newly remodeled Haeoreum Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Go Seon-ung took charge of the script and direction of the changgeuk "Gwito." The title "Gwito" carries a double meaning: it signifies "turtle and rabbit" (龜兎) and also "returning to one's homeland" (歸土). Focusing on the "Samjae Palan" (三災八亂), the three disasters and eight chaos, which are the various hardships and calamities the rabbit faces on land in "Sugungga," Go viewed the rabbit's life as no different from the tumultuous reality we live in today. The story emphasizes the rabbit who flees the harsh reality of land to the dreamlike underwater palace but, after narrowly escaping death, returns and realizes the value of its original home. It conveys a positive message that instead of avoiding the wind, one must learn to dance while swaying in it, encouraging us to find hope where we stand now.
The music is co-composed by Yoo Soo-jung, artistic director of the National Changgeuk Company, and the sorikkun Han Seung-seok, showcasing the thrilling power of traditional Korean vocal music. Han Seung-seok, a professor in the Department of Traditional Arts at Chung-Ang University, also serves as composer and music director. While preserving the main melodies of the pansori "Sugungga," the music is arranged and newly composed to fit the adapted story, achieving a perfect harmony with the play. The 15-member ensemble, composed of traditional Korean instruments, delivers a rich live performance that fantastically enhances the atmosphere, while 38 sorikkun will fully convey the energetic and spirited momentum of the National Changgeuk Company.
This production will be staged to maximize the imaginative power inherent in pansori. Choreographer Ji Kyung-min, inspired by the movements of the master dancer Gong Ok-jin, plans to cleverly express the various animals in "Sugungga" with simple yet distinctive choreography.
The key characters Toja (兎子) and Jara are played by National Changgeuk Company's leading stars Kim Junsu and Yoo Taepyeongyang. Toja, who leaves a world full of troubles and dreams of an ideal land, and Tonyo (兎女), who enters the underwater palace with him, is a new character not present in the original work, portrayed by Min Eun-kyung.
Additionally, the entire National Changgeuk Company, including troupe leader Heo Jong-yeol, chorus leader and Jaramo Kim Geummi, Dragon King Yoon Seok-an, and Jjukkumi Choi Yong-seok, totaling 53 cast members, will deliver a delightful performance filled with profound vocal artistry and playful humor.
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