Musical Romeo et Juliette Upgraded but Gets Looser
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
When French musical ``Romeo et Juliette’’ was first shown in Seoul, Korean musical buffs were overwhelmed with the flamboyant choreography, prolific musical numbers and fast pace.
The musical first hit the stage in Paris in 2001. Since then, the show has toured some 16 countries, entertaining more than four million people.
The musical arrived in Korea in 2007 and this is the second performance of the original team, but seemingly too early to revive the emotional sensation.
The musical is based on Shakespeare’s original play, ``Romeo and Juliet,’’ but follows a unique structure and the style of French musicals, which are expressed mainly through music and song. The contrast of melodies and strong pop and rock elements highlight the musical, which was produced by the original French cast.
The role of Romeo was portrayed by outstanding vocalist Damien Sargue, and Joy Esther took the role of Juliette.
With popular French composer Gerard Presgurvic as musical director, the French box-office smash musical is a new take on the classic version.
In this production, Father Laurence loses faith in God after the death of Romeo and Juliette, the nurse loves Juliette more than she loves Lady Capulet, and new characters such as Death and the Poet are added for dramatic effect.
The 2009 version added some musical numbers to enhance the drama, along with new choreography.
The show, which opened Jan. 29 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, takes more liberties with the original source than what audiences saw two years ago.
The main actors lacked harmony and their vocals sounded off pitch and unrehearsed, perhaps because of the long trip from France before the opening performance.
The musical features 36 songs, including hit numbers ``Aimer’’ and ``Les Rois du Monde’’ and four new songs ― ``Avoir 20 Ans,’’ ``Le Pote,’’ ``On Dit Dans la Rue’’ and ``Le Pouvoir.’’
The new songs were catchy enough but didn’t enhance the dramatic tension, and instead making the musical boring, particularly in the first act.
However, the upgraded, ravishing choreography was more distinguished in this version, in which chorus are usually accompanied by dance routines on such hit numbers as ``Aimer'' and ``Les Rois du Monde.''
The costumes, marked by the symbolic colors of red and blue, well represented the conflicts of the two families ― the Montagues and the Capulets.
Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 200,000 won. The musical will run through Feb. 27.