You can tell by the way they walk

Features

Published: 11 Jan. 2007, 20:33

You can tell by the way they walk

Get ready for some bell-bottoms and disco music. A London-based cast will be performing the musical “Saturday Night Fever” in Seoul (Jan 12 to March 3) and Daegu (March 9 to March 18).

The musical premiered in 1998 at the West End Palladium Theater in London and opened at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway the following year. Since then the story of a disillusioned young adult from Brooklyn, Tony Manero, and his escape from everyday toil through disco dancing, has traveled around the globe stopping in the Netherlands, Australia, Japan.
Based on the 1977 film of the same name staring John Travolta, the story brought disco music into the limelight. The songs on the Soundtrack, mainly written and sung by the Bee Gees, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep is your Love” and “Jive Talking,’” soon became the anthems of the 1970s music scene, following on from folk rock and the British invasion of bands such as the Beatles during the 1960s. The film was acknowledged to have captured the essence of the disco craze, including its style and melodies, in a compelling plot about a troubled youth chasing his dreams of stardom. John Travolta’s charismatic presence, as well as his sharp white suit, made him a household name.
The licensed Korean version of the musical that had a run in 2003 played to packed theaters. It also launched the career of Park Geon-hyeong, who played the role of Tony. The same good fortune befell Adam Garcia, who played Tony during the London performances and went on to win several roles in Hollywood.
This cast that will be visiting Seoul from London is one of the West End’s international tour teams, led by renowned producer Adam Spiegal. It features Sean Mulligan as Tony. He has appeared in the musicals “Showboat” and “Mamma Mia.” Jayde Westaby will play Stephanie. She was part of the Disney tour of “Beauty and the Beast” and has appeared in the musical “Chicago.”

by Cho Jae-eun

“Saturday Night Live” will be performed in Seoul from Jan 12 to Mar 3 at the National Theater of Korea, and will also have a run in Daegu, at the Opera House, from Mar 9 to Mar 18. The closest subway station to the National Theater of Korea is Dongguk University, line No. 3, exit 2. Tickets range from 40,000 ($42) to 120,000 won. For more information call (02) 532-2188 or visit www.interpark.com.