Two French Actors to Show Off Music Styles
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
France seems to have it all. It has always been synonymous with thinkers and artists, attracting people's imagination over the centuries.
On top of that, musicals, which have long been regarded as theatrical achievements of Broadway and the West End, are extending a new dimension into French creativity, enthralling musical buffs worldwide.
Their explosive popularity can also be found in Korea through a rush of French musicals being staged here including ``Les Dix Commandements'' and ``Notre Dame de Paris.''
Damien Sargue, a French musical actor ― who played the role of Romeo in ``Romeo et Juliette,'' which was put on stage last year, is back in Seoul to participate in concerts, along with Cyril Niccolai ― who took the role of Benvolio, the cousin and friend of Romeo.
``For the concerts, we will show off our talents in our own music styles we have never shown before as singers rather than actors as in `Romeo et Juliette' to our Korean fans,'' Sargue said in an interview with The Korea Times in a Seoul cafe.
Sargue with a playful smile and Niccolai having a mixed charm with both gentle and sharp charisma, spoke about their upcoming concert and their acting and singing careers. They met Korean fans at a meeting on Jan. 4 in response to their fervent support of the two stars following the ``Romeo et Juliette'' performance.
Sargue said that the two, who built up a strong friendship through ``Romeo et Juliette,'' are expected to create good harmony to display their sensitivity and music styles rather than their roles in the musicals.
``One third of the concert program will be the musical numbers and the rest of them will be songs from our own personal albums. My fans will enjoy my past, present and future music as I will sing songs from my first album, and the second album I am now working on,'' said Sargue.
Both became well known through their roles in French hit musicals, but they have their own albums as musicians as well.
Niccolai, who will release his first album this year, said that the two professions are mutually interactive. ``Acting in a musical is like playing an instrument, following the musical score in a given structure with certain limits. But as a singer, it is sometimes difficult to do it alone, denying any possibility of making mistakes because I have to take responsibility for all the performance,'' said Niccolai.
Sargue, the only actor in ``Romeo et Juliette'' who has remained with the troupe since its first incarnation in 2001, said that he is accustomed to the role and still feels comfortable with it.
``It is a pleasant surprise for me to perform and see the fierce reactions from the audience here. I am always glad to see my fans… Since performing Romeo from the start, I've never lost my passion I had when I first took the role,'' he said.
``Romeo et Juliette'' has toured in more than 20 countries. Sargue said he thinks that many fans love the musical because it deals with a beautiful love story.
Concerning the musical's popularity in Korea, Niccolai said; ``The Korean audience seems to be open-minded to musicals.''
Even though French musicals are a latecomer to the scene, they have grown into a ``unique'' show with special qualities.
They said that three quarters of a French musical consist of musical numbers and one fourth theatrical dialogues, while Broadway and West End musicals are comprised of half dialogue and half song.
Niccolai explained that also the French musical scores are informal and free in genres and forms, like a pop or rock opera.
``There is no certain rule in the musical scores. We use pop styles in the musicals such as `Starmania.' (French hit musical) I was surprised that the Korean audience, who are familiar with Broadway and West End musicals, welcomed and loved French musicals,'' said Niccolai.
Sargue debuted in ``Sacree Soiree,'' a French TV program at the age of 8 and released his first album, ``Emmene-moi,'' at 11.
Niccolai already has a wide fan base in Korea not only as a musical actor but also a singer since he became known to Korea from his role of Gringoire in another French blockbuster musical, ``Notre Dame de Paris'' and his rock-based music in his single albums.
Niccolai said that he has performed his role of Gringoire in ``Notre Dame de Paris'' for a long time.
``But I like playing the role of Benvolio because the character is opposite to my character,'' he said.
For the concert, Joy Esther who took the role of Juliette will grace the stage as a guest actress.
The concerts will be held at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul at 8:00 p.m., Jan. 11-13. For more information, call (02) 417-7746.