Korean swan allures Johannesburg

Universal Ballet Troupe takes Tchaikovsky classic to S. Africa


JOHANNESBURG ― More than 1,000 audience members were mesmerized by the Korean Odette when the curtain came down on the final act of the Tchaikovsky classic, “Swan Lake,” in Johannesburg, Friday.

The Universal Ballet Company’s first show on its South African tour was greeted with tumultuous applause and a standing ovation at Joburg Theatre, with members of the sold-out audience repeatedly cheering bravo as the dancers took their bows.

The private ballet company, one of the leading dance troupes in Korea, has been on a three-year world tour since last year. The four-day South African tour, which came after the troupe’s successful visits to major cities in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East, was organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and South Africa.

“I’m sure today’s performance will further strengthen Korean-South African friendship and understanding,” Lee Yoon, ambassador of Korea to South Africa said during his speech prior to the performance.

“In this performance, we’ll see the beauty of classical ballet blended with Asian sensibilities and elegance.”

To this, Mathume Joseph Phaahla, South Africa’s deputy minister of arts and culture, responded warmly.

“I’m told that ‘Swan Lake’ is originally from Russia, now being played by Koreans in South Africa,” he said.

“Cultural expressions transcends national boundaries, especially when a universal theme is enacted which speaks to everyone. And what can be more universal than the theme of love?”

The company has performed the timeless Tchaikovsky piece in 12 countries prior to the South African show, including Germany, Canada, the United States and Italy. It’s been performing the 1895 Mariinsky Theater version, while developing its own forte in the corps de ballet.

Since its first show in 1992, UBC’s “Swan Lake” has been acclaimed for its beautifully synchronized corps, which requires staying in strict formation throughout. Bernard Jay, Joburg Theatre’s chief executive officer, in fact specifically asked UBC to perform “Swan Lake” for the South African tour after watching a video clip of a group dance section.

“In the past, classical ballet pieces were mostly performed by troupes of European countries, such as Russia, the U.K., and France, and their works have been largely considered exceptional,” said Julia Moon, general director of the ballet company.

“We hope to introduce the high standard of Korean ballet with this classical piece.“

The Friday’s show featured ballerina Hwang Hye-min as both the innocent Odette and the sultry Odile. Hwang’s seemingly effortless executions often triggered some audience members to gasp in awe. Her Odette was shy and nimble ― the dancer’s petite physique and poise poignantly delivered the character’s vulnerable and tragic nature.

Yet she also managed to pull out her seductive, villainous side for Odile. The act where she seduces Prince Siegfried, by turning 32 times in sequence, was certainly one of the highlights of the show. UBC’s leading ballerino Ohm Jae-yong, who performed as the prince in love with the cursed princess, showed excellent chemistry with Hwang.

The troupe’s famous corps de ballet also shined throughout, in spite of the size of the stage which seemed a bit smaller than usual.

“I’m very grateful for an event like this,” said Kim Jong-ik, the chairman of South Africa Korean Association. He has been living in South Africa for the past 17 years while running an automobile business.

“As someone who has been living away from home for such a long time, having a world-class Korean ballet company perform here is very exciting. In the last 20 years, many Korean corporations have started businesses here. Now I think it’s time for Korean culture to make its appeal here.”

Meanwhile, Johannesburg resident Sue Potgieter, who described herself as a ballet fanatic, could not hide her excitement.

“It was beautiful, fantastic, absolutely breathtaking,” she told The Korea Herald after screaming “Bravo!” countless times at the finale of the show. “The leading ballerina made everything seem so effortless. She’s so passionate and graceful.”

Potgieter, who came with her teenage daughter and her friends to the show, started taking ballet lessons when she was a child, and still takes them as her hobby twice a week. She’s seen many different versions of “Swan Lake” by different troupes, and said Friday’s performance was certainly one of the best ones.

“You’d often hear the clang sound when the dancers jump and land on the floor as a group,” she said. “There was no noise during this performance I liked that a lot.”

Euphane Richardson, another Johannesburg resident, said this is her first time watching an Asian troupe perform “Swan Lake.”

“I think there’s particular grace about the dancers,” she said.

For the South African shows, which were to run from Friday to Sunday, UBC chose to have its tragic ending ― where the prince dies while fighting against von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, to break Odette’s cursed spell. His love for Odette breaks her spell and she becomes a human again. The show ends as the princess breaks down upon her discovery of Siegfried’s death.

The decision was made to give an ending that’s more “dramatic and moving,” according to the UBC.

“I’ve never seen this ending, either,” Potgieter said. “I really liked it. It was very romantic. I’d love to go to Korea to see more ballet performances.”

By Claire Lee, Korea Herald Correspondent
(dyc@heraldcorp.com)