In 2016, it will be 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare. The playwright, who passed away in 1616 at the age of 52, left in his wake some 38 plays and hundreds of poems, sonnets and other verses.

To celebrate the great playwright in his 400th anniversary, a rich repertoire of Shakespearean productions are due to come to life in playhouses and in ballet and opera theaters across the country. Audiences in Korea can look forward to well-known works such as "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet" and "Macbeth."


Revitalized productions with a modern twist

The National Theater Company of Korea opens the season this month with "A Winter's Tale." The play begins as a psychological drama involving a husband's jealousy toward his wife, but arrives at a comedic, happy ending in the final act. Robert Alfoldi, former director of the Hungarian National Theater, gives the production a modern spin.

The National Theater Company will bring "Richard III" to the stage in April, directed by Wang Xiaoying of the National Theater of China and featuring its affiliated actors. A local production of "Twelfth Night" opens in December, directed by Hyoung-Taek Limb of the Seoul Factory for the Performing Arts.

The Seoul Metropolitan Theater has a lineup of Shakespearean productions at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, in the M Theater there. The season takes off with a family-friendly musical rendition of "The Tempest" from Jan. 13 to 31. "Henry IV - Prince and Fallstaff" will be on the stage from March 29 to April 14, and "Ham-ik" will run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 16. The historical play "Henry IV" is based on the reign on Henry IV, the British king who seized the throne after killing Richard II. "Ham-ik" is a newly created adaptation of "Hamlet" set against the backdrop of present-day Korean society.

The LG Arts Center will host the Theatre Republique and the British cult band The Tiger Lilies from Oct. 12 to 14 when they will perform a musical interpretation of "Hamlet." The band turns the classic play into an explosion of music and images with 21 tracks that transform the original verses into song.


Shakespearean comedy and tragedy in dance

The Korea National Ballet brings back "The Taming of the Shrew" from June 23 to 26 at the Opera House at the Seoul Arts Center. The late John Cranko (1927-1973) of Stuttgart Ballet choreographed the first performance of the piece in 1969. The plot follows Katerina, a headstrong shrew, who is "tamed" by Petruchio to become an obedient bride. The animated movements and expressions of the dancers breathe life into the characters.

Also to be staged at the Opera House at the Seoul Arts Center, Universal Ballet will return with "Romeo and Juliet" from Oct. 22 to 29.


Shakespeare for the operatic stage

Also this year, the opera will also celebrate Shakespeare.

The Seoul Metropolitan Opera presents "Macbeth," an opera by Giuseppe Verdi and based on Shakespeare's play, in the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' Chamber Hall from Nov. 24 to 27. As one of Shakespeare's four tragedies, the piece observes the damaging effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. Verdi's opera delivers this tale of destructive human ambition with a stirring score.

Finally, at the end of the year, the Korea National Opera brings the opera "Romeo and Juliet" by French composer Charles Gounod to the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House from Dec. 8 to 11. The piece will be directed by Australian director Elijah Moshinsky.

Be sure to get your tickets early for this year's many Shakespeare productions.

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: LG Arts Center, Seoul Metropolitan Opera, Korea National Ballet
hlee10@korea.kr