Brecht revived in the 21st century’s East Asia
Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga

An eastern theatrical group Pansori Project ZA recreates a western epic drama from early 1940s in a very unique way of interpretation. Inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s <A Good Woman of Szechuan>, the Korean script writer and composer Jaram Lee relocates the parabolic plot to modern-day Seoul and adapts Brecht’s work in the style of pansori, Korean narrative performing arts in the form of music drama. This is <Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> which will be staged this upcoming January on 10th at the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center and on 11th at the Korean Cultural Service NY

Premiered in 2007 and co-produced by Pansori Project ZA and Korea’s Doosan Art Center in 2008-2009, <Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> shows the pathos of life under Capitalism, describing contemporary Korean society which amplifies the drama’s satirical force through a unique fusion of music and performance. It received much acclaim from the international performing arts presenters during its showcase at the 5th Performing Arts Market in Seoul in 2010. <Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> having been performed at the KONTAKT International Theatre Festival in May 2010, Jaram Lee awarded Best Actress Award. ‘Mostly because of the excellent vocal and acting technique of Jaram Lee, the perfect contact established between the actress and the audience by dint of the stylish pansori and her sense of humor made me believe that it will happen also in Europe,’ says Andrzej Churski, Deputy Director of KONTAKT International Theatre Festival. In March 2011, <Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> is to be staged at the Théâtre de la Ville and Théâtre National Populaire de Villeurbanne, France.

Pansori Project ZA consisting of promising artists from various fields of music, dance and theatre, they seek to reinterpret pansori from the contemporary and intercultural perspective. Their endeavors have resulted in creating a new style of theatre based on pansori’s own aesthetic inspirations.
Designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003, pansori which is originated in south-west Korea in the 17th century is a genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist and a drummer. This popular tradition, characterized by expressive singing, stylized speech, a repertory of narratives and gesture, embraces both elite and folk culture. During performances lasting up to eight hours, a male or female singer, accompanied by a single barrel drum, improvises on texts that combine rural and erudite literary expressions.
Funded by grant programs of the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, the group is currently participating in the 2010-11 artists-in-residence program at Uijeongbu Arts Center, Korea.

<Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> in New York is supported by Korea Arts Management Service and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Presenting ‘Center Stage Korea’ bringing Korean performing arts on the international stage, Korea Arts Management Service has organized Center Stage Korea in New York since 2007 as part of APAP Conference showcase.
During the APAP Conference 2011 held from Jan 7-11 2011 at Hilton New York, Korea Arts Management Service presents, in partnership with Japan Society’s 14th Annual Contemporary Dance Showcase Japan+East Asia; Korean Cultural Service NY; Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, <Bul-ssang> by Ahn Ae-soon Dance Company and <Pansori Brecht: Sacheon-Ga> by Pansori Project ZA.

For the performance on 10th at Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, admission is free on first-come, first-served system. For the one on 11th at the Korean Cultural Service NY, admission is free but RSVP is required. Contact the Korean Cultural Service NY at 212.759.9550 or info@koreanculture.org

For more information, please contact:
Korea Arts Management Service
International Development Department, Hyojin Kuh
Tel. +82(0)2 708 2282 / +82 (0)16 9886 4630   E-mail: hyojinkuh@gokams.or.kr