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| Kim Cheol-ho, CEO of the National Theater of Korea, right, speaks during a press conference announcing the programs celebrating the theater's 70th anniversary at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The National Theater of Korea (NTOK) has prepared a wide range of performances in celebration of its 70th anniversary with a nod to those who contributed to the development of the performing arts in Korea.
The celebration, which will run from March through June, will feature three resident troupes of the NTOK as well as four other national companies which have a historical connection with the theater.
"We will hold 70th anniversary performances to commemorate both the artists who achieved rich cultural accomplishments and the public who loved the performing arts," NTOK CEO Kim Cheol-ho said during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday.
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| Yoo Chi-jin's "Wonsulrang" was staged as the inaugural performance of the National Theater of Korea on April 30, 1950. Courtesy of NTOK |
The theater's 70-year history was concurrent with Korea's turbulent modern history. The NTOK first opened in Bumingwan ― now the Seoul Municipal Assembly Building ― on Taepyeong-ro, central Seoul, on April 29, 1950 with the play "Wonsulrang," written by renowned playwright Yoo Chi-jin.
The troupe that staged "Wonsulrang" is the predecessor of the National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK), which also celebrates its 70th anniversary with the theater. The NTCK became independent in 2010, but joins the national theater for this year's celebratory events.
The nation's flagship theater had to close during the 1950-53 Korean War and temporarily moved to the southern city of Daegu, by leasing the Daegu Cultural Theater.
It moved back to the capital to the Seoul Public Hall, now the Myeongdong Theater, in 1957 and to the current Mount Nam location opened in 1973.
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| This photo shows the cover of the script of "Chunhyang-jeon," the first performance by the National Gukgeuk Company of Korea, now National Changgeuk Company of Korea, when it was founded in 1962. The script features a painting of the Seoul Public Hall, now the Myeongdong Theater in the cover. Courtesy of NTOK |
The 70th anniversary ceremony will be held April 29 at the outdoor plaza in front of the Main Hall Hae, which is currently undergoing a major renovation. The ceremony will shed light on the theater's history as the first national theater established in Asia and all seven national companies will join to present their premier performances.
Lee Seong-yeol, artistic director of the NTCK, emphasized the ties with the theater.
"We were born on the same day and we picked Manseon (The Fishing Boats Are Full) from our repertoire for the 70th anniversary celebration. The play written by Chun Seung-se won a script contest hosted by the NTOK in 1964 and we brought back some of the actors who were in the original production," Lee said.
The play set in a small fishing town in the 1950s will be adapted by Yun Mi-hyun of "My Aunt in Texas" to add contemporariness.
The Korean National Ballet (KNB), which was separated in 1973, will present "KNB Best Collection" on May 8 and 9, featuring a classical dance repertoire as well as modern dance pieces developed by the company.
KNB artistic director Kang Sue-jin once performed at the NTOK ― "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1997 ― and shared fond memories of rehearsing at the theater, next to Korean traditional dancers.
The Korea National Opera will present an original opera "Red Pants" as well as highlights from its previous Korean operas including "Wonhyo," "Cheyong," "Martyr" and "Soul Mate"
"These are the best among Korea's homegrown operas. I even took part in 'Wonhyo' as a singer and it makes me emotional to stage the opera again," its artistic director Park Hyung-sik said.
The National Chorus of Korea will showcase Korea favorite songs in its "Best Collection."
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| The National Theater of Korea opened its current Mount Nam location on Oct. 17, 1973. Courtesy of NTOK |
The three resident companies will collaborate for the anniversary performance, which is a first after two decades.
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea will present a new version of "Chunhyang," a Korean "pansori" work and the company's first performance from 1962.
Performer and artistic director Yu Su-jeong said Kim Myung-gon, former culture minister and scriptwriter and actor of hit pansori film "Seopyeonje" will direct this version of "Chunhyang."
"We picked the leading director who knows well about pansori as we attempt to go back to basics this time," Yu said.
The National Dance Company of Korea will join hands again with renowned designer-turned-director Jung Ku-ho for its new piece "Sanjo."
Based on the rhythm of Korean traditional music, Jung of "The Banquet" and "The Scent of Ink" will once again mesmerize audiences with choreography by young artist Choi Jin-wook.
The National Orchestra of Korea will present "Sijo Cantata," which is composed by Lee Young-jo, combining Korean traditional three-verse poetry with choral music.
"Orchestra Series Ⅳ: Korean Music Concert 2020" is a continuation of the series began in 2000, with the aim of rediscovering important songs of Korea's modern history, including North Korean music.
The national theater revealed hopes for possible collaborations with North Korea since CEO Kim's inauguration in 2018, but currently cultural exchanges between the two Koreas came to a state of lull due to political situations.
"However, we will continue to develop joint Korean arts projects," CEO Kim said.
An international symposium on the first national theater in Asia and its 70-year history and its future roles will be held at Grand Ambassador Seoul Associated with Pullman on April 28.
