Tiger and Bear turns to entertainment

‘Cave to Humanness’ show to involve audience, take less arty approach


A tiger from Korean myth is to pit audience members against each other in a performance art-inspired comedy game show.

The “Cave to Humanness” show will see Tiger face off against Bear, two characters created by an expat performance duo, with the audience split into teams supporting each side.

The show will be based around a video projected on the wall, with Tiger helping to direct the audience.

The theme follows the Korean legend in which a tiger and a bear try to stay in a cave for many days in a bid to become human. Each quiz round represents a day in the cave, and the team with the most days in the cave becomes human.

“It’s been kind of re-imagined by Tiger, who probably feels a bit bitter towards Bear becoming human and not him, especially as in some versions of the story bear only lasted 21 days ― one more day than tiger ― instead of 100,” explains James Topple, who plays Tiger.

“Also in real life we (Tiger and Bear) split up while filming the accompanying video, so there is a certain bitterness between the characters throughout the performance.”

Colin Riddle, who played Bear, no longer performs with the act.

“Cave to Humanness” has been performed before, but this extended version will be geared more toward entertainment than previous performances, which Topple said he felt were more works in progress.

“There are elements of performance art throughout and the work as a result of the development of a performance art project, but essentially I wanted to make something that people can enjoy watching and laugh at so it is probably more of a comedy show if anything,” he said.

Topple said he was resigned to the fact that Tiger and Bear was likely to have a mainly expat audience, but said he had tried to include elements to appeal to Koreans in the audience.

“It is in both Korean and English language and there will be live Korean translations for the few Korean audience members,” he explained. “I also think there is quite a balance of British and what I interpret to be Korean humor.”

Topple said he would try perform in other major Korean cities, and experiment with different settings and different audiences.

“I’ve never really worked on anything like this before as I usually don’t try to make work that is meant to be entertaining and never really liked the idea of doing the same thing twice,” he said.

“But I think I’ve found a middle ground where I can keep it different and still surprise myself whilst providing something enjoyable and interesting.”

The show takes place at 9 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Roofers in Itaewon. Tickets are 5,000 won.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)