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Lear

National Changgeuk Company of Korea

Discover this visionary restaging of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies into a spellbinding traditional opera from some of South Korea's leading creatives, performers and musicians.

This major new production, critically acclaimed at its 2022 premiere, retells a familiar story in the form of Changgeuk. This culturally significant and artistically rich theatrical form in Korea, blends music, dance, and drama to create immersive storytelling experiences rooted in Korean tradition and heritage.

Leading creatives include director and choreographer Jung Young-doo, Pai Sam-shik, one of the greatest Korean playwrights, Pansori scores composed by Han Seung-seok, with music written by Jung Jae-il (Parasite, Squid Game). Lee Tae-Sup’s set design brings a quiet but vibrant world of water on stage, drawing us to the deep, bottomless abyss of the human mind.

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea, part of the National Theatre of Korea, has presented traditional Korean opera for decades. 

Lear will open the 2024 K-Music Festival

Performed in Korean with English surtitles. 

Running time: 3 hours and 10 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

Age guidance: 12+

This production contains flashing lights, and includes swearing, some violence and fake blood. 

Lear: Meet the Creatives (Fri 4 Oct, 5pm)
An in-conversation event with leading members of the creative team, hosted by Liam Izod, a music and arts writer specialising in music from East Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Free, but ticketed.

 

Presented by the Barbican

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea’s presentation of Lear is supported by the Korean Cultural Centre UK as part of the K-Music Festival 2024.

Images by Jeon Kangin

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Creative team

Creative team

Jung Young-doo Director & Choreographer 
Pai Sam-shik Playwright after Shakespeare 
Han Seung-seok Pansori Composer & Music Director 
Jung Jae-il Composer 
Lee Tae-sup Set Designer 
Ma Sun-young Lighting Designer 
Ji Young Sound Designer 
Jung Min-sun Costume Designer 
Park Hyun-yi Prop Designer 
Jung Ji-ho Hair & Make-up Designer 

 

Cast

Kim Jun-su Lear
Yu Tae Pyung Yang Gloucester
Min Eun-kyung Cordelia 
Yi So Yeon Goneril
Wang Yun-jeong Regan
Lee Kwang-bok Edgar
Kim Su-in Edmund
Choi Ho-seong Albany
Choi Yong-seok Cornwall
Cho Yu-ah Oswald
Park Sung-woo Knight
Kim Woo-jeong, Park Kyung-min, Lee Seong-hyun, Lee Na-kyung Chorus

 

Musicians

Choi Young-hoon Geomungo
Park Hee-jung Ajaeng
Cho Young-su Buk
Lee Won-wang Daegeum
Lee Sung-do Piri
Hwang So-ra Gayageum
Jun Kye-youl Percussion
Oh Cho-rong Saenghwang
Lee Ye-jee Synthesiser
Yu Chan-mi Synthesiser
Ahn Se-hoon Violin
Cho Jae-hyun Viloa
Ra In-kuk Cello

 

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