November 11-18 at National Theater Haerum Theater
Usingguo, Ijaram, and Yejinten Production Team Reunite
'The Farewell My Concubine,' a representative of traditional Chinese Peking opera, is reborn as a changgeuk by meeting pansori.
In the changgeuk 'Paewang Byeolhui,' the scene where Xiang Yu (Jeong Bogwon) holds and weeps over Wu Xi (Kim Junsu), who committed suicide as the Chu state's situation deteriorated. The changgeuk 'Paewang Byeolhui,' which sold out all performances during its premiere, meets the audience again on the grand theater stage after four years. [Photo by National Changgeuk Company]
The National Changgeuk Company announced on the 19th that the changgeuk 'The Farewell My Concubine' will be performed at the Haeoreum Theater from the 11th to the 18th of next month. The work is based on the Chinese Peking opera depicting the conflict between Xiang Yu, the King of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and Liu Bang, the Emperor of Han, as well as the story of the defeated Xiang Yu and his lover Yu Xi parting ways.
Since its premiere at the Daloreum Theater of the National Theater in April 2019, and its encore performance at the CJ Towol Theater of the Seoul Arts Center in November of the same year, both of which were sold out and received acclaim from audiences and critics alike, 'The Farewell My Concubine' has moved its stage to the larger Haeoreum Theater after four years, meeting audiences with a grander scale and more refined completeness.
'The Farewell My Concubine' is a work born from the fusion of Peking opera, which expresses the world through hand gestures, and changgeuk, which contains the universe in its sound. The production attracted attention from the beginning, with the collaboration of top domestic and international production teams and the National Changgeuk Company.
The direction is by Wu Xingguo, a Taiwanese actor and head of the Dangdaejeon Theater, who has devoted himself to modernizing Peking opera. Lee Jaram, who has been active in changgeuk works such as 'Jeongnyeon-i,' 'Tree, Fish, Moon,' and 'Heungbo,' is responsible for composition, songwriting, and music direction. Costume designer Ye Jin-ten, a recipient of the Academy Award for Art Direction, also participates.
The production team emphasizes that they preserved the charm of the traditional arts of both countries?Peking opera and changgeuk?while creating a fresh harmony. Visually, elements of Peking opera are highlighted in costumes, makeup, props, and choreography, while the auditory aspects such as dialogue and music emphasize the appeal of changgeuk. For the encore performance, the production team gathered to carry out meticulous revisions and improvements to complete a more dense stage.
Director Wu Xingguo said, “The changgeuk 'The Farewell My Concubine' is a work that strives to capture the essence of pansori. Unlike the original Peking opera, you will feel the poignant beauty and strong vitality created by the sound.” He added, “Thanks to the continued interest in the work, we are presenting it again after four years. This time, we have reinforced the cast and the instrumentation, refining it meticulously, so please look forward to it.”
The work begins with the sorrowful voice of a blind old woman, who serves as the narrator (dochang) in changgeuk. It then moves through the ‘Hongmen Banquet’ scene, where Xiang Yu spares Liu Bang, which led to his defeat, the ‘Ambush from Ten Sides,’ considered one of the greatest battles in Chinese history, and the final scene ‘Suicide at Wujiang,’ depicting Xiang Yu’s death after being surrounded while fleeing from Liu Bang, all unfolding with intense tension.
The highlight of the work is the ‘Farewell My Concubine’ scene, portraying the parting of Xiang Yu and Yu Xi. Kim Junsu of the National Changgeuk Company captivates with his seductive gestures and advanced sword dance as ‘Yu Xi,’ while Jeong Bogwon’s performance as ‘Xiang Yu,’ showing the spirit of a general with his deep voice and broad shoulders, draws attention.
The changgeuk 'The Farewell My Concubine,' which depicts the life and death of Xiang Yu, recorded as a hero despite being a defeated king, across two acts and seven scenes, makes the audience reconsider the true meaning of victory and heroism through Xiang Yu’s upright and bold character who confronts challenges head-on without resorting to trickery. It also evokes empathy by portraying timeless stories of fierce power struggles, ordinary people worrying about daily life amid war, and a poignant love for one person.
Having moved to the Haeoreum Theater, 'The Farewell My Concubine' features a total of 47 cast members, including all members of the National Changgeuk Company, delivering deeper acting, robust singing, and vigorous energy. Jeong Bogwon is cast as ‘Xiang Yu,’ Kim Junsu as ‘Yu Xi.’ Heo Jongyeol plays ‘Fan Zeng,’ and Lee Yeonju plays ‘Lady Qi,’ both perfectly mastering not only Korean traditional singing but also Peking opera gestures to present to the audience. While showing more mature singing and delicate acting, Lee Gwangbok, a member of the National Changgeuk Company, newly joins as ‘Liu Bang.’
After the performance on November 12, a ‘Talk with the Audience’ session is scheduled, where the production team and cast will discuss the work. Detailed information can be found on the National Theater’s website.
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