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A Korean Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe – and a discount for LKL readers

In Summer 2005 the Yohangza Theatre Company came to the Edinburgh Frings to perform their Korean version of the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and brought it to London’s Barbican the following year. It was amazing.

As part of the London 2012 round of special events the Globe Theatre is putting on Globe to Globe – all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 37 different languages in a kaleidoscopic, six week festival at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Yohangza Theatre Company is returning to London to be part of this festival. Read on for details of how LKL readers can get £15 off top price tickets.

Even without the discount, it’s a must-see.

Yohangza Theatre Company presents

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

From Seoul, South Korea
Performed in Korean

Monday 30 April 7.30pm
Tuesday 1 May 7.30pm

Yonhangza Theatre Company - Midsummer Nights Dream poster

Yohangza has travelled all over the world since its inception in 1997; in 2012 this groundbreaking company is to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time.

Their performance combines music, mime, song and dance to create an exhilarating adaptation of Shakespeare’s inventive and glittering comedy. Focusing on the story of the four mortal lovers and spirits of the east Asian forest, Shakespeare’s characters burst onto the stage with a fresh, eastern vibrancy.

Yohangza Theatre Company’s style is an exciting collision of the past and the present: a reworking of existing Korean styles and themes infused with contemporary elements and driven by a thirst for experimentation. The result is a compelling mix of energetic dance, voice and percussion interwoven with Korean folklore, mythology and history. The production is a sensory and aesthetic journey that draws the audience toward both past and future while staying strongly connected to Korea’s identity and spirit.

Yohangza have been invited to various Shakespeare festivals and world art centres in Australia, Cuba, Germany, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and the UK. Their performances have struck a chord with both Korean and international audiences. Recently Yang Jung-Ung won the South Korean Best Production of the Year Award 2009, South Korea’s Best Young Playwright of the Year Award, and Yohangza was named Best Production at the Gdansk Shakespeare Festival, Poland, 2006, and at the Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre in September, 2003. In 2006, the company was the first Korean group to perform at the Barbican in London.

Artistic Director Jung-Ung Yang founded the Yohangza Theatre Company in 1997. He has been awarded numerous awards in his native Korea and is one of the most influential directors working in the country today.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the story of tangled love affairs. Hermia loves Lysander and Helena loves Demetrius – but Demetrius is supposed to be marrying Hermia. When the Duke tries to enforce the marriage, the lovers take refuge in the woods outside the city, and walk into the midst of a dispute between the king and queen of the fairies. And they are not alone. So, too, does a group of amateur actors rehearsing a play.

Shakespeare put some of his most dazzling dramatic poetry at the service of this teasing, glittering, very funny and amazingly inventive play.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the productions within Globe to Globe – all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 37 different languages in a kaleidoscopic, six week festival at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Tickets for Globe to Globe start at just £5, and a series of multibuy schemes are in place, including the Yard Olympian which will allow you to see all 38 productions for just £100. Globe to Globe is part of the World Shakespeare Festival – a celebration of Shakespeare as the world’s playwright.

BOOKING INFORMATION

BY PHONE: 020 7401 9919
ONLINE (transaction fee applies): www.shakespearesglobe.com

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT.

PRICES

Yard (standing) £5
Lower/Middle/Upper Galleries (seated) £10, £15, £25, £35
Seating plans vary for each performance; for details please ask Box Office staff or consult online seating plans at the time of booking.

Please note that there is no seat in the theatre from which the view is not obscured at some point.

CONCESSIONS

Under 18s £3 off all seats.
Disabled patrons Half-price seats for disabled patrons plus one companion if required.
Under 3s free.

Discount for LKL readers

LKL readers can buy top price tickets (usually £35) for the specially discounted price of £20. To claim this discount, quote ‘LKL £20 offer’ when booking over the phone on 020 7401 9919, or enter the code ‘PCD20BEST’ when booking online at https://tickets.shakespeares-globe.org/selecteics.asp .

(automatically generated) Read LKL’s review of this event here.

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