London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Think Korea: A Midsummer Nights Dream

News of a special Korean Shakespearian adaptation at the Barbican, as part of Think Korea 2006

Details provided by the Barbican follow. Check out their website for more fun images.

Yohangza Theatre Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Directed by Jung Ung Yang, in association with AsiaNow Productions
27th June – 1st July, Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS / 19.45, 14.00
Tickets: £7 12 16 21 26
London premiere following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh International Festival 2005
Also at Bristol – Tobacco Factory (Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1TF) 5-22 July 2006

Midsummer Nights Dream

“Wonderfully wicked, clever and magical. Yang’s directing is inspired, exquisite.” (The Scotsman *****)

“Enchanting for everyone to whom the words “physical theatre” are an immediate turn off. Yohangza’s dynamic dance and graceful poise is an eye-opener, revealing unimagined pleasures in the genre.” (The Big Issue)

“Yohangza make physical theatre an extreme sport in their spectacular retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy.” (Fest)

Fantasy, dreams and magic meet Korean mythical folklore and dynamic theatricality.

It’s a midsummer’s night and the mischievous Dokkebi (Korean goblins), who love dancing and singing, are having a big party…

The tangled tale of four lovers is spun out through a fresh mix of dance, voice, percussion, and performances bursting with mischief and boundless energy. This hilarious, fun-packed 2005 Edinburgh hit will delight and captivated both adults and children alike.

A dynamic, hilarious and fun visual and physical theatre production. Shakespeare form the East transports you to a world of unforgettable fantasy through dance, movement, voice and percussion. Both adults and children will enjoy this ninety-minute program.

Synopsis

Meet these actors from the East and their unique Korean-style movements, facial expression and vocalization. You will witness the Korean equivalents of the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, changing their sex, Bottom turning into a woman wandering for herbs, and Puck split into twins. This compelling and fresh mix of energetic dance, voice and percussion, is brought to life by the Tokebi, fairies for Korean mythical folklore.

In the story, Hang has fallen in love with Byock, but Byock’s father is forcing her to marry Rue. So Hang and Byock decice to run away and secretly get married. Byock accidently tells her secret to her best friend, Eeck, who is in love with Rue. Eeck lets Rue in on the secret hoping that he will give up his love for Byock. But the story gets more and more twisted. Finally Rue runs after his love. Along the way the Tokebi Oberon is constantly chasing girls and his Tokebi wife (the head of all the goblins) has a plan to fix him.

Yohangza invites you to enjoy the infectious fun!

(automatically generated) Read LKL’s review of this event here.

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