Swag Age in Concert at Gillian Lynne Theatre - credits to PL EntertainmentThe writing team of Chan-Min Park (book and lyrics) and Jeong-Yeon Lee (music and lyrics) have given the story a musical treatment in which they first detail why Sijo’s traditional poetic form is of such national significance. As an approximation, try to imagine an England which developed as a nation without ever having spawned Chaucer or Shakespeare. It’s literally unthinkable.
As the show progresses, we learn that the old King was assassinated, and the new one is a puppet, closely guarded and advised by those who would retain power through fear and maintenance of the established social structure. This is achieved through the enforcement of blind obedience and by the imposition of cruel discipline throughout the nation. In practical terms, the poorest have their crop harvests appropriated by officialdom and menfolk who are conscripted to defend against skirmishes along the northern border, often lose limbs and their means of earning a livelihood without ever being compensated.
In light of the injustices, a disparate band of masked brigands The Golbin Gang begin to challenge the status quo and capture the attention of the King’s head henchman, Prime Minister Hong-gut who is eager to stamp out their resistance. But little does he realise that his headstrong daughter Jin is a key member of the rebel faction.
Stylistically, the show leans heavily on the traditional masked dance-drama of Talchum, but is also rendered here in a modern musical theatre style which traverses the east-west divide. The end result is certainly playful, exceedingly vibrant and manages to imbue proceedings with an element of social jeopardy. It may not be Les Miserables, but if there were a Korean version, this would be it. The songs are a mix of upbeat pop and frustrated ballads with surtitles offered on screens positioned either side of the stage. As translations go, they perhaps wax a little too lyrically in places, over emphasising the poetry whilst sacrificing some of the meaningful sense of events. With rarely a dull onstage moment, there show incorporates sword-play, energised dance and tumbling, a sung poetry competition (once the Court lifts its 15 year-long ban) and much hi-jinx. It may have a slightly limited potential audience but those in attendance were extremely enthusiastic and appreciative of the onstage efforts, including this reviewer.
Cast members at this performance:
Dan - Yang Hee Jun
Jin - Kim Soo Ha
Hong guk - Lim Hyun Su
Shibju / Jamo - Lee Kyung Soo
Horosoe - Hwang Sung Jae
Gisun - Jung Sun Gi
Soonsoo - Jung A Young
Emperor - Choi Il Woo
Jono - Oh Seung Hyun
Mr Um - Noh Hyun Chang
Gedong - Kim Jae Hyung
Sodong - Ryoo Ha Ryun
Hengyi - An Ye Bin
Bogi - Lee Seo Young
Soonyi - Kim Eun Ae
Maldong - Byun Jae Jun
