Mime Master Revisits Korea
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Celebrated around the world for ingeniously combining the aesthetics of East and West, master of mime Frederic Herrera brings to Korea two fascinating nonverbal art performances in two cities, Jeonju (July 26-28) and Chuncheon (Aug. 1-2).
Mime is known as the ``art of silence,'' and expresses panoramic human emotions and experiences using minimal props, usually not more than facial muscles and body gestures.
The Costa Rican-born artist trained at the famed International School of Mimodrame of Paris, Marcel Marceau, under the ``father of mime'' himself with a French Government scholarship.
After graduating in 1989, Herrera traveled extensively around the globe to learn other traditional dance moves while also conducting workshops and performances. In the early 1990s he studied at the Peking Opera School.
The mime artist has performed and taught in France, Portugal, Russia, the United States, India, China, Hong Kong and Japan. He has been to Korea numerous times.
Magic of Silence
At Art Hall Opera in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Herrera will stage ``The Genie and the Magic Lamp.'' The adventures of Aladdin's wish-granting genie are set against a splendidly exotic set, complete with vibrant face paintings, rich silk costumes and golden-hued backdrops.
It will be a special treat for children, who may be familiar with the classic tale through other mediums like Walt Disney's animation ``Aladdin.'' But anyone, even teenagers and grandparents, will undoubtedly enjoy the critically acclaimed performance, which, after premiering in France in 2004, has traveled around the world.
As ``Genie'' unfolds on a small stage, audiences will be able discern every subtle gesture and glance of the artist, who will bring to life five characters ranging from the magical genie to a little girl and lion.
Catch one of four performances: 7:30 p.m. July 26-27; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 28. Tickets cost 10,000 won (six years and up). Special discounts are available: 30,000 won for families of four; 7,000 won for groups of 30 or more; and 8,000 won for Art Hall Opera members.
For more information, visit Jeonju Art Hall Opera's Web site www.artsopera.com or call (063) 237-3600.
East Meets West
In addition to ``Genie,'' Herrera offers Korean audiences a completely new work at the 2007 Chuncheon International Theater Festival (CITF), taking place in Gangwon Province July 30-Aug. 4.
``While `Genie' is a more traditional type of show, `Spiral' is very special _ it's a new creation,'' Herrera told The Korea Times, while expressing how he was overwhelmed with ``great emotion.''
``Spiral'' will be formally staged for the very first time with Korean actor Soh Jong-ho, a member of the Jeonju City Theater.
The show portrays the Buddhist concept of reincarnation, the never-ending cycle of life and death. Two characters, evolving from doctors and gardeners to trees and monsters, repeatedly kill each other in one life after another.
Herrera and Soh met in 2002 and have since become friends. The duo gave a short 15-minute demonstration of ``Spiral'' at the 2005 Chuncheon International Mime Festival, and had won the MVP award.
The artist said this year's Korean premiere is meaningful since the country has deep Buddhist roots embedded in its culture. The two performers will be adorned with colorful body paintings inspired by Indian art, with lots of red, black and yellow.
``This is not only a blend of two art forms, theater and mime, but also of two cultures, Korea and France,'' explained Soh. ``I speak very little English, only just enough for `survival,''' he said with a chuckle. ``But art transcends the spoken word, and we communicate superbly through mime.''
Now theatergoers can appreciate the 30-minute performance free of charge at the outdoor stage of Chuncheon Kangnam Hospital, Aug. 1-2.
Visit the festival's Web site www.citf.or.kr or call (033) 241-4345 for more information.