Humor and Strong Beat Move Your Body

‘Mayumana’ opened on Oct. 14 in Sejong Culture Center is an Israeli non-verbal performance that catches eyes and ears of audiences with humor and strong beat.

It has drawn only a modest number of people because it is relatively less known to Koreans overshadowed by large-scale shows such as ‘Delaguada’. But it gives you fun and relaxation, making you feel one and a half hours too short. Even those unfamiliar with theatrical performances can be a part of the show, which is filled with laughter, admiration and cheers.

Whereas most of drum-beating style performances express instinctive and primitive rhythms, Mayumana introduces strong beat of techno and rock sound using diver’s web feet, PVC pipes and buckets.

You can also hear beat boxes and see techno dance. The dazzling dance using luminous balls and web feet not only please your ears but also eyes, making the show more than a mere beating performance.

Performers introduce some 10 episodes. ‘Table for the Boys’ catches eyes with the performers’ delicate moves, ‘Flash Light’ comes with elaborately-devised light and stage setting and ‘Ball in the Park’ is also impressive.

‘In the Kitchen’ makes upbeat rhythms using the names of Korean dishes such as ‘Kimbab’, ‘Sujebi’ and ‘Chonggak Kimchi’.

When the show is over, the audience jumps from their seats and cry out encore. The title `Mayumana` came from a Hebrew word meaning ‘versatile’.

The show will continue through this weekend (Oct. 20), on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are sold for 30,000 to 60,000 won. For further inquiry, call 02-399-5888.

Sue-Jean Kang sjkang@donga.com