subject: Korean Musical Comedy Nanta In Sinagpore [print this page] A unique comedy show in Singapore with chefs playing music out of knives and other inventories in the kitchen. Yes its a 'cooking' comedy. Do you remember the first show at Esplanade Singapore in 2010? Nanta (Cookin') is Korea's longest running musical returns to Singapore, which was a five day-run at Marina Bay Stands.
The show may be Korean, but you the audience lost nothing as it was more musical with minimal dialogue. The actors have made their best with lively slapstick comedy and energetic beats. Here are few marvelous things about the hilarious non-verbal musical drama.
What is Nanta?
The ground of the musical show is simple; A stern restaurant manager suddenly brings his nephew, who is an amateur chef, to the kitchen as the newest member. The four cooks were required to whip up dishes for a wedding banquet fast, and doing this they created a complete chaos. In their rush to complete their work, the chefs make fun from cooking; breaking into dance and song, slicing and dicing vegetables and meats rhythmically, mixing plenty of absurd comedy together.
Reflection of Korean traditional music
Nanta has picked the beats and energy of Samulnori, which is a genre of traditional Korean percussion music. The drama has changed the beats into lively acrobatic feats for a rhythmic dance performance. The Nanta actor, Dae Ho Kim said, 'Its essentially about bringing the energy, 'the specific rhythm of samulnori' into a theatrical performance that everyone can relate to and appreciate.' Dae Ho Kim is the manager in the musical play, a tough character which is equally capable to put entertainment along with the kitchen crew.
Playing with knives
The actors making knife tricks on the stage work hard every day to practice these tricks so that it becomes a part of their daily routine. Regardless of the prior experience, the actors are required to take specialised training for Nanta, which can be of three months to a year.
The rules for audience
During the performance, the audience do not have to sit idle, clapping along the beats is a ritual of the show. So, clap to save yourself from the dirty looks of the head chef. The audience may also get a chance to cook with the chefs. All-in-all, a complete interactive and fun show. Once a member from the audience became 'so engrossed' with the beats that he just leapt on the stage and started dance with the actors.
The best chef in Nanta
The cast of the play includes Dae Ho Kim (The Manager), Seong Dong Jo (Head Chef), Woon rin Na (The Nephew), Sohee Gu (Hot Suace), and Jun Seok Na (Sexy Guy). Although, the manager cooks very little in the show, but he is the best chef amongst all. He possesses the expertise in all sorts of traditional cuisine.
The five day long show was a perfect treat for the Singaporeans, which ended on 30 September, 2012.
