'From Robot Conductors to Barrier-Free Performances'... 61 Repertoire Pieces Revealed at National Theater

26 New Works, 10 Repertoire Pieces, 14 Regular Performances, 11 Co-hosted Events Totaling 61
Featuring Complete Pansori, Dance Drama Hodong, Robot Conducted Gugak Orchestra
'Barrier-Free' Planned Performances with Actors and Sign Language Interpreters on Stage

Stills from the National Changgeuk Company’s performance "Gwito". Photo by National Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Various programs such as an orchestra stage conducted by a robot, a changgeuk based on a webtoon, and barrier-free performances will be presented on the National Theater stage.

The National Theater held a press conference on the 12th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, to unveil the '2022-2023 National Theater Repertory Season' program.

The repertory, running from next month 31st to June 30th of next year, consists of 61 works including 26 new productions, 10 repertory pieces, 14 regular performances, and 11 co-hosted events.

The season repertory focuses on continuing the contemporary performing arts creation based on tradition while advancing toward a theater for all, premised on 'diversity' and 'coexistence.'

The program opens with the National Changgeuk Company's 'Gwito.' 'Gwito,' a cheerful reinterpretation of the pansori 'Sugungga,' will meet audiences again at the National Theater one year after its premiere in June 2021.

This season, the National Theater presents various performances under the theme 'Starting Point of Tomorrow Drawn Together,' focusing on art and technology, and performances related to people with disabilities and women. As a first step, it is taking the lead in expanding cultural enjoyment for people with disabilities and supporting the creative activities of disabled artists by producing barrier-free performances.

Panorama of the National Theater 2022-2023 Repertoire Season Press Conference. Photo by National Theater

First, it will diversify barrier-free performance genres such as musical theater, plays, and orchestras, and begin developing works featuring disabled artists in leading and supporting roles. Regardless of disability, audio description and sign language interpretation will be provided as new ways to experience the works.

The musical 'Hapche,' based on the novel of the same name by writer Park Jiri, tells a cheerful coming-of-age story of twin brothers concerned about their short stature. Short-statured actor Kim Beomjin plays the twins' father, breaking prejudices on stage and showcasing new acting. Five sign language interpreters for hearing-impaired audiences will perform on stage with the actors, and a narrator providing audio description will help visually impaired audiences understand the work.

The play 'Teenage Dick' is the Korean premiere of Mike Lew's play of the same name, adapted from Shakespeare's tragedy 'Richard III' into the story of a high school student with cerebral palsy. Through a narrative of overcoming and healing, it breaks the mold of stereotypical characters and vividly portrays disabled people as three-dimensional humans.

The Beautiful Mind Orchestra, composed of disabled and marginalized students, will once again present the '2023 Together, Spring' stage. With pure passion for music, they will listen to each other's sounds and offer beautiful harmony.

'Our Town,' directed and adapted by Im Dowan, a master of Korean physical theater, newly interprets playwright Thornton Wilder's play of the same name as 'the story of people around disabled individuals.'

The webtoon-based play "Jeongneon-i" presented by the National Changgeuk Company. Photo by National Theater

A new encounter of hybrid genres also draws attention. The National Changgeuk Company will present a new changgeuk stage based on webtoons and Western classics.

The National Changgeuk Company's new work 'Jeongneoni,' to be presented in March next year, is based on the webtoon of the same name depicting the growth of female gukgeuk actresses in the 1950s.

'The Merchant of Venice,' a Shakespeare play adapted into Korean traditional music, will also be staged in June next year.

Heo Jongyeol, acting artistic director of the National Changgeuk Company, said, "The boundaries of changgeuk are disappearing, and new attempts with diverse themes are succeeding. We will prepare interesting stories in our traditional sounds this season as well."

National Gugak Orchestra_Orchestral Series IV_Movement. Photo by National Theater

The National Gugak Orchestra will attract attention with a bold attempt to feature a robot as the conductor in the orchestral series IV 'Absence (不在)' performance to be presented in June next year.

This performance was realized through collaboration with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. The robot, which stores various conducting motions as data, will conduct on stage by reading the score according to an algorithm.

Lee Dongwook, senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology who participated in the technology development, stated, "We plan to research and develop so that the robot can express not only the conductor's motions but also their intentions, emotions, and passion."

Kim Sungjin, artistic director of the National Gugak Orchestra, said, "We have put long thought into creating the repertory and are striving to move the audience. We hope the audience will give affectionate attention to performances that do not remain in tradition and have no limits."

Image from the National Dance Company's new work, the dance drama Hodong. Photo by National Theater

The National Dance Company will unveil the new work 'Dance Drama Hodong' in collaboration with musical director Lee Jina.

Lee Jina, a 'star director' who directed musicals such as 'Something Rotten' and 'Seopyeonje,' interprets the Goguryeo Prince Hodong legend from a new perspective through this work.

Also, 'Dance Drama Hodong' raised expectations with the participation of music director Kim Seongsu, known for composing the theme song of the drama 'Squid Game.'

The National Theater continues cooperation with various arts organizations. This season, six national arts organizations and two private arts organizations prepare the stage together. The 'New Year Music Festival,' consisting of the New Year's concerts of the National Opera Company, National Chorus, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Gugak Orchestra (January 6-14 next year), will also be presented.

Kang Seonggu, head of operations support and acting director of the National Theater, said, "We reflected the diversity of our society and included the hope that the National Theater will advance as a 'theater for all' through cooperation and coexistence. Through this season's repertory, audiences will be able to discover new aspects of traditional arts."

2022-2023 National Theater Repertory Season Poster. Photo by National Theater

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.