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Posted : 2009-06-09 19:49
Updated : 2009-06-09 19:49

Star Actors Team Up in Shakespeare Play


Cast members of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” pose for the camera during a recent press conference in Seoul. From left are Ahn Nae-sang, Hong Seok-cheon, director Choi Hyung-in, Kim Hyo-jin and Choi Jin-young. / Yonhap

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Prominent stars will team up in performing in William Shakespeare's ``A Midsummer Night's Dream.'' Actress Kim Hyo-jin, actors Choi Jin-young, Lee Mun-shik, Hong Seok-cheon and Ahn Nae-sang who graduated from or are studying at Hanyang University will rally behind the directorship of Choi Hyung-in, professor and founder of the theater company Hanyang Repertoire.

``I am very happy to meet actors I once worked with a long time ago. There is no communication gap between us although it has been more than 10 years since we cooperated and they are mature. Also, new faces such as Kim Hyo-jin and Choi Jin-young are doing their best,'' the professor and director said in a press conference.

Lee, Hong, and Ahn, who appeared in the play 13 years ago, will take the same roles. ``When I first confessed that I would come out to my professor, she warmly hugged me. I could live in her encouragement. Without Choi's supports, there are not many actors who go their own way,'' Hong said.

Ahn, who gained the popularity for the hit television drama, ``First Wives' Club,'' said that when he took the role of Quince in the 1995's play, he was deeply frustrated because the professor harshly criticized his acting. ``But now I am very happy to be back to the role and I will show off my talent that I didn't present in the past,'' he said.

This is the first time for Kim, who is studying at the university's graduate school, and Choi, who entered the school this year, to perform in the play.

``I will make my debut in the play as Helena. I am very glad to perform together with my wonderful seniors and will do my best not to harm their reputations,'' Kim said.

Choi, a brother of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, who hung herself last year, said that it's the first time for him to return to stage after the musical in 1989.

``I was in deep despair from the trauma but I could live with the support from the professor,'' he said.

Lee will play Nick Bottom and Hong will take a role of Francis Flute and Ahn will perform Peter Quince. Choi will play Demetrius and Kim will perform Helena who falls in love with Demetrius.

A romantic comedy by Shakespeare, the play portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke of Athens, Theseus, the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta, and with the fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. As one of Shakespeare's most popular works for the stage, it is widely performed across the world.

The play will be on stage from June 27 to Aug. 2. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 40,000. For more information, call (02) 3672-8070.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
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