'2023~2024 National Theater Repertoire Season'
24 New Works · 9 Repertoire Pieces
14 Regular Performances · 13 Co-hosted Events
Increased Audience Accessibility with Haerum Theater Always Open
"We are aiming to transform the theater into a more accessible and enjoyable space for a wider audience by increasing the number of performances centered around Haeoreum Theater, creating a book caf?, and making the space more open. Please watch the changes of the National Theater, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary since relocating to Namsan this year."
National Theater Repertoire Season Announcement Press Conference_Park In-geon, Director of the National Theater. [Photo by National Theater]
On the 19th, the National Theater held a press conference at The Westin Chosun Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul, unveiling the 2023-2024 repertoire season program to be presented from September 1st this year to June 30th next year.
Theater Director Park In-geon introduced, "A significant work this season is 'Sejong's Song,' produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Theater's relocation to Namsan. It is a large-scale cantata featuring over 300 performers, including three artistic groups, a Western orchestra, and a choir."
'Sejong's Song' is based on 'Worin Cheongang Jigok,' a piece King Sejong personally wrote to spread Hunminjeongeum to the people. Composer Park Beom-hoon, director Son Jin-chaek, and choreographer Guk Su-ho participated to convey King Sejong's message of harmony.
Director Park In-geon also announced plans to increase the number of performances for the new season.
Director Park emphasized, "Since the National Theater is a producing theater, the number of performances has been quite limited due to stage setup and rehearsals. We plan to increase the number of performances by 10 to 20% compared to the past. Especially, although Haeoreum Theater is the main theater, it only held about 110 performances annually. This year, we increased it by about 50 performances and aim to expand the number to around 200 performances to match the status of the National Theater."
The National Changgeuk Company’s production "Mansin: Paper Shaman" (June 26?30, 2024), which sings of the joys and sorrows of human life through the life of a shaman, is directed by Park Kal-lin, who also serves as music director and actor, with the legendary singer An Suk-sun in charge of composition, generating high expectations. [Photo by National Theater]
From Changgeuk Troupe's 'Simcheongga' to Dance Company's 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead'... A Diverse Total of 60 Performances
The new season at the National Theater will feature a total of 60 works, including 24 new productions, 9 repertoire pieces, 14 regular performances, and 13 co-hosted performances.
Since 2012, the National Theater has operated a repertoire season program planned and announced annually, now entering its 12th season. The 2023-2024 season prominently features challenging new works and refined revivals from its three resident companies: the National Changgeuk Company, National Dance Company, and National Gugak Orchestra.
Among the new works, notable pieces include 'Aejuga,' an outdoor concert blending traditional music with traditional liquor inspired by ancestors who composed poetry and played the geomungo while embracing nature; and 'Sejong's Song,' a planned performance featuring 300 performers from the three resident companies and others, as mentioned earlier by Director Park, adding freshness to tradition.
'Aejuga' (June 1?2, 2024) is a new work by the National Gugak Orchestra, performed in an outdoor plaza surrounded by the lush slopes of Namsan. It focuses on traditional liquor and traditional music, drawing much anticipation.
Deputy Artistic Director Yeom Mi-soon of the National Gugak Orchestra explained, "This work was planned because traditional music and traditional liquor share the value of having worth while evolving in a modern way. At yesterday's idea meeting, a performer even suggested that musicians drink with the audience to feel the excitement first and relax their tension before performing. So, the performance will likely proceed in a free atmosphere where the audience can taste traditional liquor."
'Mansin: Paper Shaman' (June 26?30, 2024) by the National Changgeuk Company is a work that sings the joys and sorrows of human life through the life of a shaman. Directed by Park Kal-lin, who also serves as music director and actor, and with master singer Ahn Sook-sun in charge of composition, it is highly anticipated.
Artistic Director Yoo Eun-seon of the National Changgeuk Company expressed her determination, saying, "We will do our best to make the troupe's content a global one beyond Korea."
'Simcheongga' (September 26?October 1), completed by director Son Jin-chaek and master singer Ahn Sook-sun, will showcase the refined beauty of high-class pansori and harmonious stage design. 'Farewell My Concubine' (November 11?18), where Beijing opera expressing the world with fingertips meets changgeuk containing the universe in sound, will present a grand epic. The changgeuk 'Lear' (March 29?April 7, 2024), a Shakespearean tragedy interpreted with Korean traditional sounds, deepens the work with Baek Sam-sik's script, music by Han Seung-seok and Jung Jae-il, and direction by Jung Young-doo. 'Mukhyang' (December 14?17) will also be staged, marking its 25th performance.
The National Dance Company's new work 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead' (April 25?27, 2024), inspired by Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, is the first choreography presented by Artistic Director Kim Jong-deok since his appointment. Inspired by the Buddhist scripture 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead' left by the great Tibetan master Padmasambhava, this piece portrays a journey crossing consciousness and thoughts from the perspective of the deceased to the sea of tranquility through dance. At the same time, it poses philosophical questions about life, death, and human existence to the audience.
Other performances include 'Onchum' (September 1?3), which consolidates the 'Holchum' series the National Dance Company has continued for the past three years, and 'Mongyudowonmu' (June 28 and 30, 2024), a choreography inspired by An Gyeon's 'Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land' from the Joseon Dynasty.
Artistic Director Kim Jong-deok of the National Dance Company said, "We will expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for the public through excellent works and take on the troupe's public role by providing direction. We will continue to do our best to present good works."
Barrier-free stages will continue as well. 'Hap★che' (September 14?17), where disabled and non-disabled artists creatively collaborate to stage the novel of the same name by writer Park Ji-ri; the musical 'I Am a Funny Camel' (December 6?10); the concert '2024 Together, Spring' (April 13, 2024); and the play 'Macbeth' (June 13?16, 2024), featuring a female deaf actor playing Lady Macbeth, will be presented.
International performing arts trends will be highlighted through Entok Live Plus and invited overseas performances. The internationally renowned and most controversial contemporary director Milo Rau's play 'Everywoman' (May 10?12, 2024) will be staged domestically for the first time. The Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) and the International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) will also be held. Dance performances by the Netherlands Dance Theatre 2 (NDT 2), the National Choreographic Center of Chaillot, and the Hofesh Shechter Company will take the stage at Haeoreum Theater.
National Theater Repertoire Season Announcement Press Conference_(from left) Yeomisu, Artistic Director and Acting Head of the National Gugak Orchestra, Park Ingeon, Director of the National Theater, Yoo Eunseon, Artistic Director and Head of the National Changgeuk Company, Kim Jongdeok, Artistic Director and Head of the National Dance Company. [Photo by National Theater]
Full Opening of Haeoreum Theater Lobby, Expansion of Amenities... Towards a 'Complex Cultural Space'
With the new season, the National Theater is expanding amenities and promoting transformation into a complex cultural space where daily life and art meet. Next year, it will open the Paju Performing Arts Support Center to foster a sustainable production environment.
In particular, the lobby space of the large theater, Haeoreum Theater, will be newly refurbished to serve as a starting point for enjoying performances, stimulating audience interest, and recharging artistic sensibility. In August, a restaurant selling salads and brunch will open on the basement floor of Haeoreum Theater. The lobby will be fully opened so visitors can use it anytime even without performances, and the second-floor lobby will be newly arranged as a 'Book Lounge' where visitors can read art books.
The National Theater will also hold various public-friendly events to be part of many people's daily lives as an open space.
Every Saturday in spring and autumn, a variety of cultural markets will operate in the cultural plaza in front of Haeoreum Theater. The 'Art in Marche,' combining eco-friendly agricultural produce markets and music performances, will continue, and new events such as 'Art in Garden,' featuring plant markets and performances; 'Art in Books,' centered on book markets with talk concerts and outdoor reading; and 'Art in Talchum,' where participants can learn various regional mask dances from 'Cheonhajeil Talgongjakso,' will be held.
Director Park In-geon said, "Since my appointment, I have realized that the National Theater has a solid system and artistic capability as a producing theater. Accordingly, we plan to support the continuous growth of works competitive on the world stage. We will do our best to create an environment where many audiences can comfortably visit the National Theater in their daily lives and enjoy art."
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