Theater festival to heat up Busan in May

By Chung Ah-young

If fall is the season of movies in Busan, spring is the season for theater. A variety of performance genres from around the world will attract thespians and theater-goers to Busan in May. This year’s Busan International Performing Arts Festival (BIPAF), from May 1 to 10, has unveiled its lineup under the theme of “Love and Harmony.”

Seven foreign works and 12 local productions will be staged around the city during the festival. The festival consists of concept performances, which are relevant to the event’s theme and open performances, which include other foreign and local works.

The opening performance “L’homme de l’Atlantique” by Olivier Dubois will take to the stage on May 1 and 2 at the Busan Cultural Center. The French work depicts American singer Frank Sinatra’s music, life and love on stage using dance moves against the backdrop of his memorable songs that epitomize his love, passion, life and agony.

Director, choreographer and actor Dubois interprets his life, which reflects the American golden age with materialistic affluence, stability, success and richness, into dramatic and musical theatrical aesthetics through nostalgia.

Brazilian physical theater will close the festival with “Fragments du Desir” by Dos a Deux on May 8 to 10 at the Busan Cultural Center. It is the latest production from the Brazilian artistic team Artur Ribeiro and Andre Curti. Four actors deliver a story through physical movements, command of fascinating props, interaction with flamboyant stage designs and enchanting, atmospheric sounds to portray human desire and love in a highly stylish way. The organizer said that the production is the most sensational work in the 2011 lineup that will capture the eyes and hearts of the audience.

“La Petite Mort” by Czech theater group Skutr will be on May 4 and 5 at the Busan Cultural Center. It consists of only physical movement by six actors to depict love and jealousy and conflict without a specific storyline.

“My Mom, Jung-suk and Mrs. Cha” by Un Project Group is a Korean play that involves the audience and will be presented from May 2 to 4 at Kyungsung University.

The Korean production of “Starved Rest” by Momggol to be staged on May 2 and 3 at Yongcheon Jiral Theater is another physical theater piece that sees body movement on stage transcend nationality and culture and express the isolation of human beings in modern society and the emptiness of relations.

Chinese play “A Rhapsody of Shanghai Bund” by Z Film and Drama Company on May 5 and 6 at Kyungsung University tries to define love through diverse perspectives. This show plays out the complex emotions surrounding true love.

Spain’s Catalan Company’s “Cops” which will be performed on May 2 and 3 at the university is a comedic gem that presents hilarity and humor in unexpected situations. The episodes induce endless laughs as actors switch to play different roles. The company’s “Humortal” will also be on stage at the university on May 4 and 5. The clown and gestural comedy performance breaks language barriers by using physical comedy. It has been performed all over the world, including Korea where it won the Best Foreign Company Show prize at the 2008 Ansan Street Arts Festival.

“A Crab, a Woman and Her Japanese Neighbors” is a co-production between Japan and Korea, which will be staged on May 8 and 9 at Kyungsung University. The charming story portrays the process of becoming true neighbors, constructing new alliances between old rivals, and forming bonds that transcends nationality in pursuit of a crab. The play has toured northern Japan including such cities as Sapporo, Kiyota, Asahikawa, Kushiro and Iwamizawa.

Other Korean productions such as “Cantabile,” “Dream,” “Love Game,” “Passivity and Headache,” “Brothers,” “Ddiyong, Into the Nature,” “Goodbye at Busan Station,” “The Grandmother’s Old Storage” and “Comedy Suicide” will be presented during the event.

On the sidelines of the event will be the “10-Minute Open Play Competition,” offering the opportunity to stage works regardless of background or experience. The program is divided into “General Public” and “Students Majoring in Performing Arts.” Prizes will be given to the winners from each division. Application can be made through the website www.bipaf.org. English is available.