Musical performer back in own show

Born in 1975, Laurent Ban had many aspirations as a young boy. He studied the arts, made theatrical posters, dabbled in stage make-up and became involved in stage design, as well as being interested in singing.
The French singer had his big break when band manager Marino Milani scouted him to join the band Hello, which toured for several years throughout northeastern France. Ban became more of a public personality when he joined One O One as lead singer and lyricist, while studying dramatic arts at the National Conservatory in Nancy.
However, it wasn’t long before the ambitious youngster began dabbling in other fields. After meeting Patrick Chauvelot, a choreographer and script writer, he became involved in a production of “Les Ecus De Sobieski,” playing the role of Lesta as well as composing music, designing the costumes and sets and being involved in the stage make-up.
The musical “Les Peines De Coeur D’une Chatte Francaise,” in which Ban played Victor, won two Moliere awards ― the French equivalent of the Tony awards ― for best costumes and for the best musical of 2000.
In Korea, his performances in the production of “Notre Dame De Paris” were well received and he is returning for a concert at Seoul’s Naru Arts Center from Sept. 1 to 3. Ban will be joined by Frederic Dunis on keyboard, Erik Sitbon on guitar, Jean Marc Montout on drums and Didier Thery on bass, and special guests Cyril Niccolai and Chiara Dibari.

by Cho Jae-eun

The concerts are at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 and 4, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and 6 p.m. Sept. 3, at the Naru Arts Center, Konkuk University subway station, line No. 2, exit 5, or line No. 7, exit 7.
For more information, call (02) 701-7511 or visit www.naruarts.co.kr.