Get free Music updates
Stay informed with our myFT Daily Digest email, delivering the latest Music news every morning.
This rendition of the ancient Greek tragedy Trojan Women has gained worldwide acclaim with its operatic adaptation and was recently staged at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre. Produced by the esteemed National Changgeuk Company of Korea and directed by the talented Singaporean Ong Keng Sen, this production first premiered in Seoul in 2016 before embarking on a global tour and finally arriving in London in 2018. Although its run in Edinburgh was brief, Euripides’ timeless exploration of the plight of the women of Ilium still resonated deeply.
The show is a visually and musically stunning spectacle (performed in Korean with English surtitles). Changgeuk, a contemporary form of Korean musical descended from the traditional opera style known as pansori, is rich in epic arias and grand choreography. In this production, designer Cho Myung Hee reimagines the ruins of Troy as a curved space, adorned with a towering modernist structure resembling a futuristic bus shelter, and illuminated by celestial projections. It evokes a sense of being inside a spaceship observation deck.
The score, composed by Ahn Sook-Sun with contributions from Jung Jae-Il, the composer of the film score for Parasite and a popular K-pop star, is reminiscent of sci-fi soundtracks. It features thundering drums and sweeping strings that captivate and enthral the audience at its most bombastic moments.
The production moves solemnly, allowing for the unfolding of intricate power dynamics. Kim Kum-mi delivers a monumental performance as Queen Hecuba, expressing her sorrow through soulful songs. Yi So-yeon embodies the formidable Cassandra, while Choi Ho-Sung’s portrayal of Menelaus provides moments of comic relief. The ensemble of eight talented female performers, dressed in white, captivates with their haunting chorus as they playfully handle blood-red balls of wool, representing their unease and uncertain future under the rule of the victorious Greeks.
However, the most surprising aspect of the production is the portrayal of the mythological Helen by male actor Kim Jun-soo. This casting choice adds a fresh perspective to Euripides’ tragedy, shedding light on contemporary conversations surrounding gender. It is a masterful decision within an already dazzling production.
★★★★☆
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
