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Poster for “Cirque Nut,” which will go on stage Dec. 4-31 at Big Top Theater in Olympic Park, Seoul. |
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A unique mix of art circus and classical ballet, ``Cirque Nut'' is coming to town next month.
Based on the storyline of the seasonal favorite ``The Nutcracker,'' the show is the first of its kind, which will be produced by J&S International, the Korean production company, and aimed at the international market.
The show combines the two genres in collaboration with the Belorussian National Statement Circus and the National Belarus State Choreographic College.
Myung Jaimee, general artistic director and head of J&S International, said the company has been working on the performance for the last four years.
``We have wanted to create a totally new piece fusing acrobatics and ballet. The Nutcracker is a familiar story and very entertaining, which perfectly matches our project. It is not just a parallel of the two genres but a new creation,'' she told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.
Myung said many people might think the show will separately present elements of ballet and circus but the two genres will be integrated into the new genre in harmony with each other. ``It is the first attempt in the world and it's an international show with numerous artists from around the globe. I believe the audience will be satisfied with the results of the high state of the art performance. I am proud of the participation of the world's top-class performers in the show,'' she added.
The director particularly praised the two main protagonists ― Yuliya Raskina and Dmitri Zhukov. ``While I have worked in the performing arts scene for about 10 years, I have been always fascinated by the spectacular and impressive moves created by these artists,'' said Myung.
Raskina on the aerial hoop and Zhukov on the Russian swing will star in the acrobatic extravaganza. Raskina, an individual rhythmic gymnast who won the all-around silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, took part in ``Corteo'' presented by Cirque du Soleil from 2004 to 2007 performing German wheel acts and rhythmic gymnastic art. Zhukov also performed in ``Varekai'' by the same company in 2002.
Also, world-renowned ballerino Daniel Squire, a senior dancer of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, will take the role of Drosselmeyer in the show, along with high-profile ballerinas from around the world.
``I have seen The Nutcracker many times but mixing ballet and acrobatics will bring a whole new dimension to the performance. I believe it will delight our eyes and imagination,'' said Squire.
Since the company started creating the performance, Myung has auditioned artists from around the world through an open competition. Some 50 foreign professionals will take part in the show.
``There will be a twist in the new interpretation of The Nutcracker. But I won't tell you about it here. I hope the audience comes to the show and sees the new elements with their own eyes,'' said Myung.
After the performances in Seoul, the ballet-circus will go to Belarus, the United Kingdom, Spain and China next year.
The show will be held from Dec. 4 to 31 at the Big Top Theater in Olympic Park. Tickets cost 30,000 won to 130,000 won.
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr |
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