Surviving Turbulent Times: Our Story Portrayed
September 15-16 at National Gugak Center Yeaakdang
The National Gugak Center announced on the 29th that it will stage the representative performance changgeuk 'Sanjeonsujeon Topyeolga' on the stage of the National Gugak Center's Yeaakdang.
'Sanjeonsujeon Topyeolga' is a work that premiered in May at the National Folk Gugak Center's Yewondang in Namwon, and will move its stage to the National Gugak Center's Yeaakdang on September 15 and 16 to meet audiences.
This work is a reconfiguration of the traditional pansori 'Sugungga' into a story of our lives in this era. To celebrate the Year of the Black Rabbit, the National Folk Gugak Center produced 'Sugungga' as a changgeuk that is easy and fun while conveying the beauty of pansori.
Director Jo Gwanghwa took charge of adaptation and direction. Having won the Dong-A Theater Award, Baeksang Arts Award, and Korea Musical Award, and recognized for his unique artistry and directing skills across theater and musicals, Director Jo dramatically expressed the fable of the rabbit and Byeoljubu who wisely overcome the crisis of Palnan (hunger, thirst, cold, heat, water, fire, sword, disease).
In particular, the Gugak Center explained that the work enhances immersion by clearly setting cause-and-effect relationships and focusing on the drama of the characters, and by interpreting difficult Chinese characters and classical Chinese stories into easy Hangul and our history.
Director Jo Gwanghwa said, "'Sanjeonsujeon Topyeolga' was intended to offer humor's comfort and the power of wisdom in times when life is hard, scary, and fearful. The rabbit and the turtle, who used to fight, unite in the latter part of the play to face Palnan together. That image is the story we want to convey to those living in these turbulent times."
Masters who can harmoniously bring out the original charm of traditional changgeuk also participated in the creation. Wang Gi-seok, a holder of the Jeonbuk intangible cultural asset for 'Sugungga' performance skills, took charge of composing the lyrics, enriching the theatrical expression with diverse Korean sounds so that the unique humor and wit of Sugungga are elegantly conveyed.
The music director is Jo Yong-an, artistic director of the National Folk Gugak Center and holder of the Jeonbuk intangible cultural asset for 'Pansori Jangdan' performance skills. Director Jo harmoniously connected the dramatic flow of the work and the various emotions to be conveyed to the audience by highlighting the brilliant yet powerful musical characteristics of Sugungga.
The role of the rabbit who experiences many hardships is played by Yang Hye-won, a newcomer member of the changgeuk troupe, who freely expresses various emotions. The roles of Byeoljubu and the Dragon King are played by Kang Gil-won and Jeong Min-young, renowned for their outstanding acting and excellent vocal skills, enhancing the completeness of the work. The role of Byeoljubu's wife is played by master singer Bang Su-mi, conveying the deep resonance of traditional pansori. The dance troupe and instrumental ensemble also enrich the stage with their unique charms.
Additionally, a professional production team representing various fields in the performing arts, including composer Kang Sang-gu, conductor Park Cheon-ji, choreographer Shim Saein, stage designer Jeong Seung-ho, lighting designer Jeong Tae-jin, and costume designer Kim Young-jin, collaborated to enhance the stage's completeness.
Kim Jung-hyun, director of the National Folk Gugak Center, said, "Through the changgeuk 'Sanjeonsujeon Topyeolga' performance presented in Seoul, we aimed to show a beautiful harmony of tradition and modernity through our story living in this era," adding, "We hope it offers the audience a precious time to find deep emotion and the joy of life."
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