Ledecky’s rock musical ’Hamlet’ returns

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Janek Ledecky, one of the most popular musicians in the Czech Republic, is better known as composer and writer of the musical “Hamlet.” Korean adaptations of the Czech show have proved successful here since it made its local debut in 2007. The classic tale of revenge by William Shakespeare was reinterpreted through Ledecky’s rock composition.

The Czech musician said he did not start with any ambitions in musical theater: “I write songs and record and play them with my band. I was successful in Czech and Slovakia.” Ledecky is in Korea to attend the opening of the musical, which goes on stage at Universal Arts Center, Seoul, from today.

His life changed when producer Martin Kumzak asked him to write the music to turn the Shakespearean play into song “if it is not too boring” for him. So Ledecky created the music for the tragic prince of Denmark and the musical was a big success in the Czech Republic, drawing some 10 million in six years after the 1999 premiere in Prague. Ledecky also starred in the lead role of Hamlet in the original production. The musical then made its way to Broadway in 2003.

“I did not expect that it was going to change my life. I am still writing songs and playing in concerts, but now half of my life is in theater,” Ledecky said. “I think once you taste the theater magic, it is forever.”

Falling deeply in love with musical theater, he wrote more shows. “Galileo” is about the life of Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei and the conflict between him and the rigid society and was staged in Prague in 2003, bringing further success to Ledecky’s career.

“I search for a good story for a musical as once you have the story, half the work is done.”

He is also working on an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello” and another piece called “Christmas Miracle,” using songs from his previously released Christmas album.

“I hope these musicals will be staged in Korea someday,” he added.

‘Hamlet’ in Korea

It is Ledecky’s third visit to Korea. He first came in 2007 when “Hamlet” premiered here and spent about a month in Korea in 2008, working with another local production of the musical.

He stressed that the level of performers in Korea is marvelous.

“I saw the first rehearsal with orchestra via Skype before coming to Korea and I was happy with the level of musicians and the cast is incredible,” he said. “Honestly, I would like to have this level of cast in Prague.”

Ledecky also brought Robert Johanson from New York, who is directing the current production, to Korea in 2008. Johanson directed the U.S. version of the show and worked as the artistic director for the 2008 Korean version.

“During the last four years, we did a lot of arguing and fighting, as both sides wanted to make the best possible show. This year, I made producers understand and accept that Johanson is the best person to direct it. I’m sure this season is going to be the best,” Ledecky said.

He also saw many Korean productions when he visited Korea for a longer spell in 2008.

“I’ve seen Korean shows such as ‘Jump,’ ‘Break Out,’ historical musical ‘Last Empress’ and other folk performances. Among those, Korean non-verbal performances are of the highest level, even when compared to Broadway ones.”

He not only praised the competence of Korean theater, but thanked Korean audiences for their rave reaction to the musical.

“I filmed part of the 2007 Korean production of ‘Hamlet’ and I showed it to Czech television stations and they were shocked by the way Korean audiences accept the show — it was like a Michael Jackson concert. That’s exactly what I would like to hear from the audience and why Korea is special to me.”

The curtain raises on “Hamlet” today at the Universal Arts Center in Seoul and runs through Dec. 17. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.musicalhamlet.com or call (02) 6391-6333.