The Memoir of Komachi

The Memoir of Komachi

TitleThe Memoir of Komachi
CountryKorea
Production CompanyStreet Theatre Troupe
Date2012-05-11~2012-05-12
Time11th 20:00/12th 18:00
Age restrictionRated PG-12
Running time90minute
VenueMedium Hall of Busan Cultural Center
TicketAdults 30,000won / College Student 20,000won/ Middle and High School Student 15,000won
Websitewww.stt1986.com

※ Q&A Session: 5/12(Sat) 18:00

Opening performance at 2nd Korea-Japan Performing Arts Festival in Osaka
Based on Japan’s prominent Kishida Play Awards winner, <The Memoir of Komachi>is done with a Korean perspective, sharing tradition with a mythical background and historical consciousness. Surreal performances transcend into dreams and strive to reveal nationalistic chauvinism.

Ota Shoko’s unique style of combining ‘silence’ and ‘the art of slowness’ was performed through Lee Yoon Taek’s choreography with wordplay and body movement into the unprecedented masterpiece of <The Memoir of Komachi>.
This was the epitome of the sublime beauty of Asian performing arts with performance taking place between reality and surreal story.
<The Memoir of Komachi> is based on a Japanese folklore with the protagonist, Komachi.
With her head held up high, Komachi was a woman of integrity who only obliged men whom had courted her at least 100 times. She was a legendary woman who stayed single until her last moments after the man of her dreams died in a tragic accident.
This performance tells a story of old Komachi’s memory in a dreamy way. A lieutenant who courted Komachi is a symbolic figure for Japanese nationalism and his spirit represents a violent chauvinistic society trying to suppress Komachi. A chemistry with a neighboring man helps cure a distorted image of chauvinism and nationalism, summarizing the theme of this performance as a whole.
Director Lee Yoon-Taek incorporates Japanese ‘No’ and Korean sentiments into contemporary performing arts, combining Japanese image with Korea’s dynamic choreography as well as Asian folklore.

Synopsis

A boy who defies his father’s violent method of teachings encounters Komachi on the street one day. Old shriveled Komachi and a man entering his twenties share a subconscious chemistry, developing a strong sense of connection transcending generation, time and status. It shows innocent Komachi’s love resisting against contemporary Japan’s nationalism and patriarchal society. On the day of Komachi’s tragic end, a young man falls asleep waiting for her and witnesses Komachi’s resurrection as a beautiful young woman.

Street Theatre Troupe
 

 ‘Street Theatre Troup’ led by Lee Yoon-Taek was first founded in 1986 in Busan. This company’s goal is to have a performance succeeding ritual drama’s spirits.
‘It has unique characteristics encompassing acrobatic choreography with wordplay, geometrical distribution of stage spaces and dynamic burst of energy based on Korea’s traditional Gut.
‘STT’ writes a distinctive new chapter for contemporary performing arts history with its intrinsic Korean perspective and modern sentiment. 


Lineup
Writer : Shoko Ota/ Director : Lee Yountaek/ Translate : Shim Jiyeon, Kim Seil/ Choreography : Ha Youngbu, Lee Seunghun/ Stage : Kim Kyeongsu/ Light design : Cho Inkon/ Costume Design : Kim Misook/ Poster image : Lee Soonjong/ Produce : Theater Troupe Georipae

 
Cast
Kim Misook, Lee Yunjoo, Kim Hayoung, Cho Jeongwoo, Kang Kookhee, Noh Simdong, Min Hyerim, Kang Hoseok, Cho Younggeun
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