Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Chaplin's daughter brings 'Murmures des Murs'
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Victoria Thierree-Chaplin, the daughter of Charlie Chaplin, will direct “Murmures des Murs” at LG Arts Center next weekend. The piece is a unique combination of pantomime, dance, magic and circus acts.
Thierree-Chaplin is the eighth daughter of the legendary comedian and appeared in her father’s movie “A Countess from Hong Kong” (1966) when young. But she was more interested in theater than movies and created contemporary circus performances after marrying French actor Jean-Baptiste Thierree.
Aurelia Thierree, daughter of Thierree-Chaplin, created “Murmures des Murs” with her mother and also appears in the show. Thierree-Chaplin and her daughter first presented “Oratorio” together in 2003 and it received critical acclaim. The two presented their second joint work “Murmures des Murs” in 2011.
The title can be translated as “Murmuring Walls” in English and as it indicates, the show is about walls. A wall appears on the empty stage and one story begins from there while another starts when another wall is seen.
“Murmures des Murs” revolves around a beautiful young woman, played by Thierree, who is preparing to move house. When she leaves her home, she is surrounded by strange creatures and her adventure begins. She is eaten by a bubble-wrap monster, while falls in love with another whirlwind-like creature. She is also chased by a sea monster and nearly drowns.
Thierree-Chaplin and her daughter have a knack of incorporating daily objects as props. Everyday items such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, ladders, umbrellas and light bulbs are used to express their theatrical imagination.
There is no conventional storyline as the ideas are portrayed through unique images. “The 75-minute show is like looking into a someone’s dream,” LG Arts Center said in a press release.
Thierree-Chaplin directs and choreographs and rules over the music, set and costume design, taking complete control over the show. Thierree is an extraordinary performer capable of fluid acrobatic feats as well as a talented dancer.
In addition to Thierree, Jaime Martinez and Antonin Maurel will grace the stage of this circus-inspired show.
“Murmures des Murs” will be staged at Ansan Art Center in Gyeonggi Province on Oct. 13 and 14; at LG Arts Center in Seoul on Oct. 18-20; and at Busan Cinema Center in Busan on Oct. 24 and 25. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won.
For more, visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114.