The Chorus; Oedipus 더 코러스; 오이디푸스
A first for Aotearoa, The Chorus; Oedipus debuts at Auckland Arts Festival 2016.
Intimate in scale, epic in scope, this highly original South Korean theatre work uses a thoroughly modern mix of music, dance and drama to relate Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Oedpius Rex as music theatre for today.
Written more than 2,500 years ago, the plot of The Chorus; Oedipus is the stuff of myth itself.
Oedipus, the reigning young King of Thebes, vows to find the murderer of his predecessor King Laius. Oedipus has since married Laius’ former queen, Jocasta and fathered several children. But there is now a fatal plague in the city – the gods are displeased. Even as Jocasta pleads with Oedipus to leave the past alone, he insists. There is no escaping destiny, and catastrophe unfolds.
Blowing the dust off the original story, director Seo Jae-Hyung puts music at the foremost of his riveting remix, turning the tragedy into a lyrical showstopper and its chorus the star.
The sinewy and athletic cast of 12 move in unison, channeling a foreboding wind, a chariot, a flock of birds and the tormented Oedipus himself. Drawing from the musical razzle-dazzle of Broadway, the unfolding tragedy is underscored by multiple pianists playing live, and festooned with world class choreography and vocals, with a touch of K Pop-inspiration and style.
First performed to sell out crowds in Seoul, and a massive box-office hit at the Singapore International Arts Festival in 2014, The Chorus; Oedipus has come a long way from the amphitheatres of Ancient Greece. Sophocles would approve.
'Hard for anything in the festival…to top this' – The Business Times, Singapore
'the entire thing was a goosebump moment' – Today, Singapore
'Worthy of the ten-minute standing ovation it received' – TimeOut, Singapore
SEASON DETAILS:
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Show |
OEDIPUS; THE CHORUS 더코러스; 오이디푸스 |
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Where |
Rangatira,Q Theatre |
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When |
Thursday 17 March – Friday 18 March, 7.30pm; Saturday 19 March, 3.00pm & 7.30pm;Sunday 20 March, 5.00pm |
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Duration |
1hr 35mins no interval |
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Price |
A Res $65 ; A Res Friend/Conc/Group $59; B Res $52 ; B Res Friend/Conc/Group $45 |
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Bookings |
Book at Ticketmaster outlets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz/ P: 09 970 9700 or 0800 111 999 |
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Information |
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Social Media |
Twitter: @Aklfestival Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival Instagram: @Aklfestival |
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Video |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLQ2RS3Qb_4&feature=youtu.be |
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Media enquiries |
Meredith McGrath, PR & Media Manager P: +64 (0)9 3740317 M:+64 (0)27 4473247 E: Meredith.mcgrath@aaf.co.nz |
Performed in Korean with English surtitles.
Auckland Arts Festival is core funded by Auckland Council.