Walkerhill Theatre Presents Legend of Flower in Seoul
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
This spring the Walkerhill Theatre is presenting, ``Legend of Flower,’’ an all-original, traditional Korean production that will highlight the essence of Korea culture with a delightful dinner.
The theater has strived to combine good food and entertainment in a single package over the years and with its new show, viewers will get to enjoy a high quality dinner and performance at the same time.
``Legend of Flower’’ features four acts with the themes: ``Flower,’’ ``Water and Fire,’’ ``Wind’’ and ``Golden Earth.’’
Each stage will incorporate bold sounds, 3D holographic videos and other visual effects that are expected to wow the audience. Along with such high-tech effects, the show also includes traditional dances including ``buchae chum,’’ or the fan dance, and ``salpuri chum,’’ or the spirit cleansing dance. In between traditional performances, b-boys and even a martial arts scene will spice things up with a bit of modernity.
The first act, ``Festival of Flowers-Rendezvous’’ introduces the two main characters, Ara and Mir, who fall in love at first sight. Spring has arrived and the two celebrate their love through dances.
While Ara expresses her love through a special flower dance, Mir accepts her love by offering a traditional guard dance. The second act, ``Water and Fire-Love’’ follows, with a stage depicting the scorching summer. The two lovers once again perform traditional dances, eager to tell the world of their love. Then, suddenly, the evil Mamawang appears on the stage in the middle of the dance and takes Ara to her palace.
In the following two acts is the ``Wind-Adversity’’ scene, where the stage becomes chilly with autumn leaves and wind. With only a red camellia in hand, Ara performs the salpuri chum, but fails to melt the cold hearts of the soldiers guarding her. Mir enters the stage with his soldiers and fights the evil warriors in a taekwondo sequence. In the end, Mir succeeds in destroying Mamawang, saving Ara, and declares his love once more.
In the final act, ``Golden Earth-Wedding’’ portrays the majestic wedding of the couple. An assortment of brightly lit lamps decorate the stage, while ``pungmul,’’ a Korean percussion band, and ``jwibulnori,’’ the traditional fire game, offers spectacles for both the couple and the viewers. For the finale, an exhilarating tightrope act takes place as the two main characters make their way to the center stage for a colorful curtain call filled with red camellia petals.
The 85-minute show’s props and sets were designed by Park Dong-woo, who has worked on some of the most famous musicals performed here such as, ``The Last Empress’’ and ``Hero.’’
```Legend of Flower’ is the ultimate, Korean cultural dinner show, presenting a captivating show to an audience from around the world, alongside a savory Korean cuisine dinner menu. Walkerhill invites you to come stimulate all your senses through this extraordinary and all-original Korean show,'' Park said.
``Legend of Flower’’ will start April 5 and continue as an open run. The Walkerhill Theatre is located at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Gwangjin-gu, in northern Seoul. Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 300,000 won, including dinner. For more information, visit www.legendofflower.com.