Natl Theater Unveils New Line-Up
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The National Theater of Korea has unveiled its line-up of major performances for this year. Shin Sun-hi, 62, president of the state-run theater, told reporters in a press conference Tuesday that there will be more focus on staging high quality performances.
``This year marks three years into my term in office for this institution. I have tried to uplift the theater's effectiveness and heighten its status over last year,'' said Shin.
She said, however, from now on, the theater will be more loyal to its original functions ― the basic principle of putting quality performances on stage.
``I think our theater has made a little progress in improving the system and effectiveness. But I think the theater should refrain from a profit policy under the market-oriented system and instead seek better quality theatrical arts. That's the reason why the national theater exists, and what distinguishes it from other commercial theaters,'' she said.
In line with last year's success in the first International Festival of National Theaters, the theater will continue to step up the cultural exchanges with foreign cultural institutions to bring more modern theatrical performances from various countries.
For this year's International Festival of National Theaters scheduled from Sept. 6-Oct. 31, national theaters from eight different countries will come to Korea. Last year's participating works were performances focusing on originality and tradition based on ancient and medieval works, while this year's participants will present modern works reinterpreted from the perspectives of nationality.
The participating countries also vary. Not only European countries but also African and Middle East countries will join the festival.
The festival will open with the performance ``Four Rivers Flowing to the Sea'' by the National Orchestra of Company.
The National Ballet of China (NBC) will grace the stage with ``Raise the Red Lantern'' as the closing performance and Tunisia's National Theater will put on ``Othello'' at the Open Air Stage KB Haneul. Also, ``Three Sisters'' by Russia's Maly Theater will be staged during the festival.
The theater will also open its performing arts museum in November to show off the country's performing arts history. Shin said that the museum will hold about 90,000 historical documents and 10,000 relevant historical items.
The museum will be established in the Studio Byol, currently occupied by the Korea Media Rating Board.
Also, the Open Air Stage Haneul will be transformed into the first dome style stage in Korea with the new name Open Air Stage KB Haneul.
The theater began its renovation work for the outdoor hall in 2006, dismantling the interior facilities. The venue has served as an outdoor performing center since its foundation in 2002; however, it has been too vulnerable to rain, cold weather and noise.
Sponsored by Kookmin Bank, Haneul is supposed to open May 5 and will be equipped with an automatic domed ceiling; 732 seats, up from the previous 600; air conditioning and heating; noise and sunlight reduction equipment; lighting for night; and gardens to make the stage an environmentally friendly theater alongside Mt. Namsan. It will also use solar energy.
The theater will finish all the renovation work by April followed by an inspection and testing. The Open Air Stage KB Haneul will be a permanent domed theater with the advantage of being both an outdoor and indoor performing venue.