Artistic Director : Roger Rynd

¡Ú A MAD MUSICAL JOURNEY INTO A NEW WORLD

¡Ú Duration
70 minutes (no interval)

¡Ú Creative Team
Artistic Director - Roger Rynd
Associate Director - Catherine Pease
Composer - Peter Winkler
Korean Lyrics - Park Chun Hwi
Set Design - Lee Tae Sup
Costumes - Nam YaeJi and Lee Cheong Haeng
Technical & FX Director - Choi Jinwon
Lighting Design - Shim Yoon Jong
Sound Design - Peter Winkler & Chung won
Performers - Leah Donohoe / Lee, Hyun- sil / Aideen McCartney / Paul Matthews
/ Park, Young-hee

¡Ú Introduction

Twelve Animals is a story as old as the hills and new as tomorrow. It speaks of traditional themes in a contemporary style and context, Songs and settings draw more from the cultures of Rock, R&B, Pop, Hip Hop and Psychadelia than from any ancient context, but the words and messages are enduring and universal.

The audience is encouraged to join in the performance, judging individual songs and participating in the simple choreography and choruses. The effect, is a theatre filled with movement and laughter that grows as the story progresses.

The main characters are the 12 animals of the Asian zodiac; creatures as diverse in character as the humans who have adopted these animal traits to describe their own characters and relationships.

¡Ú The Story

Our story starts in the lair of the powerful and self important Dragon. In this lair the Dragon keeps a jade globe of the world, what befalls this globe befalls the world and it is the Dragon¡¯s task to keep it safe.

The Dragon has a Rabbit as his assistant; this rabbit is quite insane and whilst it serves the dragon reasonably well it is also the cause of numerous problems. One night, as the Dragon sleeps, the rabbit and his two friends, the snake and sheep, enter the lair and try to escape with the jade ball. The dragon awakes and his anger is terrible, he threatens to destroy the world and eat the livers of the rabbit and his friends.

The unfortunate friends manage to convince the dragon that the world is a beautiful place filled with wonderful creatures and a deal is struck. Each of the creatures must come before the Dragon and sing their song. Twelve songs in total are required to placate the angry dragon. The rabbit agrees and an urgent concert to save the world (and the rabbit¡¯s liver) is convened.

The great dragon is a creature of great passions and each of the songs elicits diverse emotions ranging from laughter and hilarity to rage and great sadness. Finally the concert is complete but only 11 songs have been sung¡¦ the fate of the world hangs in the balance until the crafty rabbit convinces the Dragon to contribute his own song.

The cycle is complete and the dragon is satisfied. All agree that the world and its inhabitants are indeed unique and beautiful and the cast and audience all celebrate in a finale of chorus and movement.

The show runs for about 1hr 15 mins. and has a target audience of 5-10 years; with songs and complementary programs that will appeal to the 11-12 age group and parents.

¡Ú THEMES

Differences and Similarities; Interdependence and Friendship; Good and Bad; Courage and Responsibility.

¡Ú Learning Outcomes

12 Animals is a small scale, well researched English language program that subtly promotes language acquisition whilst easily entertaining ESL speakers.

12 animals is a fun and imaginative way to promote Creative Ability and Thinking. (C.A.T). utilising attributes children already possess to help them become
Sharper and more imaginative thinkers
Clearer in their expression of both English and Korean
More acute with problem solving and
More confident in their approach to life.

12 animals is FUN! This is vital.

-- Roger Rynd --