Naughty girls of 'Matilda' arrive in Seoul
Four child actresses who will play Matilda in the musical “Matilda,” which will premiere in Korea in September at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, sing “Naughty” from the show during a press conference at the Plaza Hotel Seoul on June 25. Courtesy of Seensee Company
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Despite her beady eyes, her face remains expressionless and enigmatic. However, hundreds of thoughts are going on behind the eyes of Matilda, the five-year-old heroine of the British musical "Matilda," which will premiere in Seoul in September.
Based on British writer Roald Dahl's 1988 children's book of the same name, the musical was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered in London's West End in 2011 and transferred to Broadway in 2013.
The Korean producer Seensee Company is staging Matilda on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
"We chose Matilda to commemorate our 30th anniversary because it is a show that can expand the audience base in Korea. We recently staged Billy Elliot, another show led by child actors, and thought Matilda could bring audiences of all ages from children to the elderly to the theater," producer Park Myung-sung said.
Ahn So-myung, left, as Matilda and Choi Jae-rim as headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Courtesy of Seensee Company
“Matilda” revolves around a young girl named Matilda who comes from an abusive family but loves books and imagination. This brave little girl stands up against adults, including the tyrannical headmistress of her school, and helps her teacher Miss Honey and classmates.
The musical adaptation brought the tale of a precocious and subversive five-year-old girl to the stage, while maintaining Dahl's bursting imagination, grotesque characters and lively writing style on a stage full of alphabet blocks and playground swings hanging from above.
Nik Ashton, worldwide associate director of “Matilda,” said the show has the power of the story.
"It particularly has the power to make you think. Matilda is a tiny little girl who demonstrates to all of us that we can change the world. If we face a situation where fate is pre-determined, Matilda tells us we can change the path," Ashton said.
Ashton has worked on “Matilda” for over six years in seven productions and Korea is where the first foreign language production of the musical is going to be staged.
"During the audition process, I've never experienced anything like this," Ashton said. "Matilda requires a very delicate mix of different attributes and we try to communicate with children when we hold auditions for Matilda. She is a tiny little genius with an incredibly sparkly mind and endless energy and thoughts inside her head. So the child actress who plays Matilda needs emotional, physical and vocal strength.
Seol Ga-eun
Ahn So-myung
Lee Ji-na
Hwang Ye-young
"Over 600 girls under 130 centimeter tall auditioned for the titular role, which requires skills in dancing, singing and acting ― and four girls Hwang Ye-young, Ahn So-myung, Lee Ji-na and Seol Ga-eun were picked to play the plucky protagonist.
Lee emphasized Matilda's strong sense of responsibility and fearlessness.
"I am reading the Matilda book and it is quite similar to the script. When I read about this smart, precocious and determined character, I can imagine myself as Matilda on stage," Lee said.
Ahn said the key to Matilda's power lies in her eyes, referring to the character's telekinesis.
"I have starred in six musicals and I think Matilda is the best because we four Matildas help each other during rehearsals," Ahn said.
Seol took part in the child music show "WeKid" in 2016 and is known for her beautiful voice, but this is her first musical.
"I find it difficult to sing and act at the same time, but I am getting better and better," Seol said.
Hwang debuts with “Matilda” and is excited about the new world.
"It was my first audition and I didn't know anything about musicals before I auditioned. Everything is challenging, but acting is the most difficult for me," Hwang said.
Disciplinarian headmistress Miss Trunchbull is played by a male actor in the musical because the character has to be tall and physically imposing. In the Korean production, Kim Woo-hyung, whose credits include Radames in "Aida" and Enjolras and Javert in "Les Miserables," and Choi Jae-rim, who played Gabe in "Next to Normal and Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar," were chosen for the villainous role.
"This is one of the most peculiar roles I've ever played. Miss Trunchbull is the worst possible adult a child can imagine and I am excited to torment these children," Choi said of his character.
Though the show will raise its curtain in December, child actors are already in rehearsal and adults will soon join them to bring the magic of “Matilda” to Korea. International associate choreographer Tom Hodgson said Peter Darling's incredible choreography leads the story in “Matilda.”
"The challenge for us is in details of Darling's choreography, which is equally difficult for children and adult. It's a very grueling process achieved through an extraordinarily long rehearsal," Hodgson said.
The Korean production of “Matilda” will open Sept. 18, following previews from Sept. 8 to 16, and will run through Feb. 10, 2019 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. Visit iseensee.com for more information.