The 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival to Be Held at Miryang Arena

Grand Opening on the 24th ... Opening Play 'Equus' on the 26th

Miryang City, Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 17th that the 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival will be held at Miryang Arena for 12 days, from the 24th of this month to August 4th.

Jointly hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do and Miryang City and organized by the Miryang Culture and Tourism Foundation, this year's festival is themed "The Moment Theater Becomes Everyday Life." Living up to its reputation as Korea's representative theater festival, it will feature 79 performances and a variety of events.

The opening performance is "Equus" by director Lee Hanseung of the Experimental Theater Company, a masterpiece that won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and the Tony Award for Best Play in 1975. The play tells the story of Alan Strang, a boy who blinds seven horses, and Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist who treats him. It is regarded as a masterpiece of its era, sharply analyzing the latent desires of humanity such as madness, reason, and social oppression.

This work captivated audiences at last year's Miryang Performing Arts Festival with its dynamic stage direction and the actors' overwhelming performances. It will be staged at the Miryang Arena Fortress Theater on the 25th at 9 p.m. and on the 26th at 7:30 p.m.

The closing performance is the musical gala show "Summer Fantasia," conducted by Bang Seongho, a native of Miryang, together with the top-tier Miryang Arirang Orchestra. It will take place at the Miryang Arena Fortress Theater on August 4th at 7:30 p.m. The beautiful melodies, performed in collaboration with actress Hong Jimin and tenor Ryu Jeongpil, are expected to grace the midsummer night.

This year's festival also features a selection of recommended plays from Daehak-ro, including the comic play "He Was Pretty," as well as fresh and diverse works such as the musical "WHAT IF."

Regional invited works include "The Bookstore Keeper" by Maru Theater Company starring actor Lee Yujun, the local comic musical "I'm Coming Down Now," the family musical "Alkongdalkong Ujubyeol" by Miryang Theater Company, and the acclaimed exchange program "Dogs Don't Bite." The experimental play "Artistic Art," which incorporates audience reviews, will also be staged, offering a wide range of highly artistic performances.

Official invited works include the one-man play "Hi-Tai," based on the true story of the first cheerleader of the Haitai Tigers, "Goodbye Hamlet," and the original dance drama "Baekjein Mimaji's Gagak Talnori," presenting outstanding works from Korea and abroad to broaden the horizons of the performing arts festival and offer new experiences.

Selected through the Arts Management Support Center's competition, the sharp black comedy "Spray," which offers insight into the lives of modern urbanites, "Heavy Metal Girls," depicting the journey of forty-year-old women into heavy metal, and family-friendly musical performances such as "Kkomi's Heart Stethoscope" and "Pinocchio," which provide fun and excitement through dance and song, are also included.

The festival will also host the University Theater Exhibition and the MZ Directors' Exhibition at Studio 1 and 2, providing opportunities and experimental stages for young Korean creators. Through competitions, outstanding works containing stories of Miryang will be selected and awarded the Miryang Playwriting Prize.

As a special event, after the opening and closing ceremonies, the fantasy aurora show "City of Aurora" will light up the sky over Miryang Arena, accompanied by a water party.

During the festival, a Theater Art Market will be held to promote the activation and continuous development of performing arts. This will provide opportunities for domestic performance distribution professionals, festival officials, and performing arts experts to network and sell performances.

As a special experiential exhibition, digital creator Kimkimlab's "I Scream in Miryang" will be displayed at the Dreaming Art Space. The exhibition is praised for reconstructing the familiar yet new summer image of Miryang into various attractions using intriguing visual art images.

Mayor Ahn Byunggu of Miryang said, "The Miryang Performing Arts Festival is Korea's representative performing arts festival, eagerly anticipated by theater professionals and enthusiasts alike. This year, we have prepared special and diverse performances and programs to offer audiences laughter, emotion, and unforgettable midsummer night memories. We will do our best to further elevate Miryang's status as a cultural and theatrical city, based on its inherent resources and passion."

For more details on the festival schedule and works, visit the official website of the 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival. Tickets can be reserved via yes24.