Production Incorporates Korean Sign Language and Pansori for Inclusive Performance

Courtesy of National Theater of Korea

The National Theater of Korea (NTOK) is set to premiere a barrier-free adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," integrating Korean sign language and pansori, a traditional Korean musical storytelling form. The in-house production will be performed at the Daloreum Theater from June 13 to June 16, before heading to France for a performance in July.

The adaptation features six deaf actors portraying key characters using sign language, accompanied by four pansori singers who narrate the drama on stage. Directed by Kim Mi-ran, the production juxtaposes the beauty and warmth of sign language with the cold and brutal narrative of "Macbeth."
 

▲ National Theater of Korea's in-house production of "Macbeth" / Courtesy of National Theater of Korea"Macbeth" follows the story of a Scottish general driven by a prophecy from three witches to murder the king and seize the throne, leading to his eventual descent into madness and ruin. In this adaptation, the original fight for the Scottish throne is reimagined as a conflict over inheritance within a modern Korean butcher's family at a funeral. The Three Witches are represented by a shaman who makes prophecies, with the tragedy stemming from the characters' intrinsic natures rather than supernatural elements.

The production connects major monologues through 16 scenes, blending the visual performance of the deaf actors with the auditory performance of pansori. Shakespeare’s poetic rhythm and meter are conveyed through sign language and movement, with the sign for "death" repeatedly shown alongside movement to mirror repetition.

The stage design features dead characters piling up, having killed each other, creating a relentless atmosphere where life and death intertwine, progressing toward the ultimate tragedy. The music is composed by Lee Hyang-ha, head of the Ip Koa Son Studio, a pansori creative group. Korean subtitles will be provided for the audience.

Following its run in Seoul, "Macbeth" will be showcased at the 2024 International Sign Language Arts Festival (The Festival Clin d’Oeil) in France on July 4 and 5, presenting this unique interpretation to an international audience.

Sayart

Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com