Jews’ flight from Egypt staged in musical form

Features

Published: 06 Apr. 2006, 20:46

Jews’ flight from Egypt staged in musical form

In the 120th year of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, another French musical is coming to Seoul, following the great success of “Notre Dame de Paris” earlier this year. “Les Dix Commandements” (The Ten Commandments) will be staged at the Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park, eastern Seoul, beginning April 11.
The musical is based on the biblical episode about the flight of the Jews from Egypt and, like “Notre Dame,” consists of only musical numbers with no spoken lines. The specialization of singers and dancers is also very clear: only the main actors, who are professional singers, sing and act, while the rest of the troupe only dances.

“Les Dix Commandements” also mixes on-stage action with video footage in order to help the audience feel they are part of history as it happens. The director, Elie Chouraqui, who is also a famous film director, filmed the scenes used in the show in Egypt. Mr. Chouraqui has said that he wanted to make the musical as close as possible to reality.
The scene of the Red Sea opening will use effects that make the audience feel that they are in the sea. The scene used transparent plastic walls in earlier productions, but it is now achieved with more dramatic effects, Pablo Villafranca, a Spanish singer who plays Josue, said. He declined to elaborate further, preferring not to limit the audience’s imagination.
“It costs about 10 million won ($10,000) to make only that scene in each show,” said Choi Eun-ji of Soldam Entertainment, the musical production company. “That's why the production costs so much.”
The production cost of the musical amounted to 7.5 billion won, and it took 20 days just to set up the stage because of the enormous stage set.
Sergio Moschetto, an Italian singer who plays Moses, said that the audience would feel love, brotherliness and friendship at the show’s religious theme.
Besides the spectacular stage sets, the costumes are designed by the renowned Sonia Rykiel.

by Park Sung-ha

"Les Dix Commandements" will perform through May 9 at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. There is no show on Mondays. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 150,000 won. For ticket information, call 1588-7890 or 1544-1555, or visit Web sites at www.ticketlink.co.kr or www.interpark.com.