In
an unusual mix of three art forms we see Korean Martial Arts Grand
Masters, counter-balanced by six graceful women and a beautiful
creation of live paintings on screens at the back of the stage.
Mumu
was founded in 2002 by its artistic director Woo Jae-Hyeon a
principal dancer with the Korean National Dance Company, this is
the companies first visit to Europe.
The
5-fold screen created by artist Jung-Du Ko is in the form of a
spiritual portrait depicting Yin -Yang and the four gracious
plants, The Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum and Bamboo. It is
difficult to decide whether I liked Orchid or Chrysanthemum most.
The
six beautiful gracious women dance with fans, bells, lighted
incense and swords, they draw on shamanistic and traditional
Korean folk dances. There
outfits all trouser suit type, were either in white with gold and
silver embroidery or basic white with scarlet, blue or black
overcoats. The
dancing at times almost ethereal.
As
for the three martial arts masters, they are extremely impressive
but I found certain scenes gruesome and felt squeamish. I
appreciate the practice and possible meditation these skills
require but swords or lances to the throat are not my idea of a
good night out. The actual physical movements superb even the
swordsmanship breath taking but that would have been enough for me
thanks.
The
makeup is also breathtaking and no matter how hard they worked didn't
run.
****
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