Ballet meets circus in `Cirque Nut`

How compatible is classical ballet and circus? Can ballet dancers work with circus players on the same stage? Find out for yourself when "Cirque Nut" opens at an exclusive theater here next month.

"Cirque Nut," a Korean-Belorussian project which will premiere on Dec. 4, is based on the classical popular ballet "Nutcracker" but claims to be more exciting and dynamic.

An ambitious four-year, $1.3 million project by J&S International, a Korean production company, the 100-minute show features, among others, members of the Belorussian National Statement Circus and National Belarus State Choreographic College, some of whom have worked for the famous Cirque du Soleil.



"The ballet production of `Nutcracker` has a solid storyline and Tchaikovsky`s music, while art circuses, which have become widely popularized through Cirque du Soleil, have factors that appeal to the masses. We mixed the two to achieve both popularity and artistry," said Jaimee Myung, the artistic director of "Cirque Nut," in Monday`s press conference in downtown Seoul.

Myung said that the show would feature circus and ballet performed together, not separately, creating a new kind of art. Myung also stressed that that "Cirque Nut" will be different from Cirque du Soleil, the world`s leading art circus group.

"Another major difference from the original piece is that we have added a few new characters, including a housemaid and a nanny, who play key roles," Myung said.

J&S turned to Belarus for active collaboration as the latter country is well-known for excellence in circus productions. The genre is hugely popular among Belorussians of all ages, with around 30 pieces staged every month, said Serge Bondarchuck, the circus producer for the show and the director for Belarus State Circus.

The Big Top at Olympic Park Haneul Square, an outdoor theater, was exclusively built for "Cirque Nut." The venue allows for the features of both conventional theater and circus acts.

"`Cirque Nut,` the first show in the world to combine classical ballet with circus, is already receiving a lot of attention from abroad," said Myung. Following the Korean performance, the show will be staged in Minsk, Belarus and will give tours in Europe and Asia.

"We are very excited and confident about presenting the show to the Korean audience. The artists are also rehearsing hard for the grand premiere next month," said Myung.

The show will be staged from Dec. 4 through Dec. 31. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 130,000 won.

For more information, call (02) 522-9762 or go to www.cirquenut.com

(youngaah@heraldm.com)







By Koh Young-aah