Another ambitious musical “Xcalibur” by EMK has been unveiled. Even before the opening, “Xcalibur” which drew attention with its colorful scale and narratives of actors, especially Arthur and Morgana, who draw Kim Jun-su and Shin Young-sook, were enough to fascinate the audience at once.
# Brilliant scale completed with production costs of 10 billion won.
“Xcalibur” is a novel reinterpretation of the legend of King Arthur, a mythical hero who protected a confused ancient England against the Saxon invasions. It tells the story of love, magic, war and death, while showing the strength of a pure and sincere person and an Xcalibur that emerged at a time when fear and uncertainty were full.
The previous works, including the musical “King Arthur” which featured King Arthur as a theme, focused on each character’s love line. In contrast, ‘Excalibur’ is an adaptation of the legend that originally existed, so keep the existing character set, but the ordinary boy Arthur becomes a king, Focus on the narrative that keeps.
EMK Musical Company, which succeeded in “Mozart!,” “Monte Cristo,” “Elisabeth,” “Rebecca,” “Mata Hari” and “The Man who laughs” since its establishment in 2009, chose “Xcalibur” as its third creative musical. As the production cost is worth 10 billion won, it provides spectacular viewing with a variety of special effects such as huge sets, lighting, and video.
The charm of music is also great. Composer Frank Wildhorn basically chooses the pop genre and mainly presents numbers with dramatic melodies. On the other hand, the music is low and grand when the Saxons gather to prepare for battle. The voices of dozens of ensembles along with several percussion instruments, including the North, are overwhelming.
#Kim Junsu, a life-changing “Xiathur.”
Starting with “Mozart!” in 2010, Kim has solidly established himself in the musical scene with “The Tears of Heaven,” “Elisabeth,” “December” “Dracula,” “Deaht Note” and “Dorian Gray.” Each piece has built a unique character, earning the nickname of Xiazart, Xiatod and its owner, and this time, it is gaining popularity, playing Arthur, which is called the “Xiathur King.”
After 10 years as a musical actor, Kim Jun-su’s true worth shines even more in this production. Arthur’s clear vocals when he was a young man, and his strong and appealing voice after he became king, show off Arthur’s growth.
Acting is important as it leads to the center of the play. Kim Junsu details the changing emotions in all the processes that Arthur, an ordinary 18-year-old boy, loves, agonizes, sometimes blackens, and regains consciousness to become a charismatic true king. Watching Kim Junsu’s performance, which deepens with Arthur’s growth, is one of the main points of “Xcalibur.”
In particular, Kim Junsu’s acting and singing alone in the first act, “This Road in front of me”, which is presented in a solemn manner before pulling out a knife, and “To be a King” which expresses complex emotions such as loneliness and determination ahead of the war in the second act, are thrilling. The deep cry of Kim Junsu Bay fills the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and conveys the emotion.
#Attractive female characters and harmonious ensemble.
Shin Young-sook, who plays Arthur’s half sister Morgana, is more than expected. She portrays Morgana, who is charismatic and sometimes salty, with the mysterious ability to win the heir-apparent post that was taken away by Arthur, drawing sympathy.
Especially, Shin Young-sook’s singing of the popular number “The sins of the father” is strong enough to decide on the release of the single earlier. It feels like my heart is pierced just by listening to Shin’s voice, which gives off an explosive voice even at a very high altitude.
It is also impressive that Guinevere, in which Arthur falls in love, is represented as an enterprising female character, unlike previous works. Guinevere is portrayed as a brave woman with outstanding martial skills before being a king, and shows her power with wisdom and intelligence. Min Kyung-a plays Guinevere with a clear voice.
In addition, Park Kang-hyun, who plays Lancelot, has a chemistry with Kim Junsu, Kim Jun-hyun’s spleen and mysterious features in the role of Merlin, The acting and breathing of various ensemble pieces doubles the play’s fun.
Meanwhile, “Xcalibur” will be available until Aug. 4 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts’ Grand Theater.
Source: Zenithnews
Trans/Shared by: Musical in Life
Musical in Life 