Performing Cultural Differences: Korea vs. Hong Kong | Asia Society

Performing Cultural Differences: Korea vs. Hong Kong

The play opened with the citizens of Szechwan, grumbling about the poverty and hardships of life.
With a mission in search for a good person of Szechwan, the three gods discussed the possibilities of finding one.
Shen-de, a prostitute, decided to throw away her past and start a new life.
After receiving a good fortune, Shen-de encountered a bunch of poor people who abused her kindness and exploited her shop.
Mei-zhe, Shen-de's landlady, demanded exhortation in order to sign the lease.
The poor people of Szechwan moaned about their desolate situation amidst a smoke.
Shen-de was determined to transform into a strong person in disguise as her cousin, Shui-da.
The transformation was complete.
Shen-de employed her former lover, Yang-xun as the inspector of her tobacco company in which he abused the workers.
Actors' Family received a round of applause after their performance at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center on December 13, 2014.
Jaram Lee introduced the audience to the story of "The Good Woman of Szechwan."
Pansori singer Jaram Lee reenacted Brecht's "The Good Person of Szechwan" in the form of Sacheon-ga.
As introduction, Jaram addressed the audience in song about three gods in search for a good person in Sacheon.
As Sun-deok, the main character of the play, Jaram Lee belted out the emotions and turmoil upon the discovery of her pregnancy.
With her future child in mind, Sun-deok resolved to become a stronger person.
L to R: Ms. Alice Mong, Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Mr. Victor Pang, Artistic Director of Actors' Family, Jaram Lee, professional Pansori singer, and translator.
L to R: Mr. Rick Lau, actor; Mr. Leon Ko, composer and music director; Ms. Jaram Lee; and translator.
L to R: Ms. Alice Mong, Mr. Victor Pang, and Ms. Jaram Lee.
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HONG KONG, December 13-14, 2014 — Both using the play The Good Person of Szechwan by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, Hong Kong's very own Actors' Family and Korean Pansori prodigy singer, Jaram Lee brought two distinct approaches to the musical performance, giving the audience an eyeful and earful of cultural experience at Asia Society Hong Kong Center this weekend.

As part of the Rising Stars of Asia Series presented by Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Miller, the performance opened with Actors' Family vibrant and energetic portrayal. Actors and actresses dressed in traditional Chinese costume with dramatic makeup danced an pranced about on stage, singing about the hardships of living in poverty. On the other hand, Jaram Lee performed solo, portraying over 20 characters from Brecht's play. Her band of musicians, also full of expression themselves, accompanied Jaram as she wove through the story of the Good Woman, from her fortune given by the gods to her resurrection as a woman of strength.

After both performances, Victor Pang, the director behind Actors' Family and Jaram Lee were invited in a dialogue to discuss the differences and similarities between the two artists' impression on the play. 

Event information: The Rising Stars of Asia: The Good Person of Szechwan - Korea meets Hong Kong 

Video: Highlights from the program (6 min., 3 sec.)

Video: Post-performance discussion (43 min., 11 sec.)