Seoul Metropolitan Ballet to stage 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for inaugural performance

Music & Performance

Published: 04 Jul. 2024, 13:08 Updated: 04 Jul. 2024, 17:05

Seoul Metropolitan Ballet to stage 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for inaugural performance

Poster of Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Aug. 23 to 25 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, central Seoul. [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet is set to open its official inaugural performance with "A Midsummer Night's Dream" next month at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, central Seoul.

The upcoming ballet, running from Aug. 23 to 25, is said to interpret the Shakespeare play from the viewpoint of the mythological character Puck. Director and choreographer Joo Jae-man reportedly adapted the works of renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and Alexander Ekman for the show.

Joo is a veteran ballet choreographer who was the first Korean to receive the prestigious Princess Grace Choreographer Award in 2009. He has previously served as associate artistic director of U.S. company Complexions Contemporary Ballet and continues his work both home and abroad. In April, he premiered a new full-act ballet for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.

Poster for the double-bill slated for Oct. 9 to 12 at Sejong M Theater [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet said that it will also hold a double-bill from Oct. 9 to 12 at the Sejong M Theater, a slightly smaller performance hall inside the Sejong center with 630 seats.

It will feature the renowned "Kammerballet" (1995) by Dutch ballet dancer and choreographer Hans van Manen, and a newer piece titled "Dive of a Swan" (translated) by local choreographer Cha Jin-yeob. It will be the first time that "Kammerballet" is staged in Asia.

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet is a public contemporary ballet company operated by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. It publicly announced its establishment in February. The company has since held a pre-inaugural performance of "The Rite of Spring" in April.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]