Cat-calling all ladies who cancan

Features

Published: 19 Jan. 2006, 21:20

Cat-calling all ladies who cancan

The splits in ruffled petticoats, black stockings and frilly knickers. Add some acrobats, ballet dancers and boisterous rhythm, and you’ve got the Paris Can Can show.
The Parisian burlesque tradition is finally in town. It’s the first time the Park Avenue Theatrical Group of New York has visited Korea to perform its world-famous dance routines. Although the theater group is American, it performs the cancan as it was done a hundred years ago in the legendary French music halls Moulin Rouge and Lido.
The domestic organizer says the award-winning American and French choreographers have given life to the fantasy and unique energy of the cancan.

The only difference with the Korean shows is that the performers will not go topless as they do in parts of shows performed in other countries.
“It is supposed to be a family show that parents could take a 7-year-old to see,” said Chung Eun-a, a coordinator for MBC Culture Business, the local promoter. “You can say it’s a cultural difference, but the topless part was over the line for minors here.”
However, the organizer say the audience will have plenty of chances to join in the hand-clapping and wolf-whistling as the show will still be spectacular and sexy.
In dazzling dresses, a line of Cancan lady dancers open the curtains to the familiar tune of Offenbach music. Next is a tightrope-walking performance, acrobatic stunts and juggling.
The organizer say a performance called “Roxanne” by Natalie Kopossova and Andrei Para, a world champion ballroom dance couple, is a highlight of the program.
“You will also love the extravagant costumes of which there are over 200 different types,” Ms. Chung said. “They have been created and sent from Paris for the show.”
Cancan dates back to the early 19th century. It began as a social dance in the suburban taverns and public dance halls of Paris and was originally called “La Chahut,” or “racket dance.” It wasn’t until 1885 the cancan became a new type of formal performance.

by Lee Min-a

Paris Can Can will play at the COEX Auditorium (third floor) in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul from Jan. 24 to Feb. 5. Weekday performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Weekend shows are scheduled at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for Saturdays and 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for Sundays. Tickets cost from 44,000 won ($44) to 110,000 won. Call (02) 368-1616 or visit www.funfunshow.co.kr.