Madangguk: The Contemporary Theatrical Genre with the Traditional Heritages

Abstract

Madangguk is the only modern theatre which has its own name as a modern theatrical genre among many modern theatrical experiments with traditional theatrical heritages. Thus reception of tradition is Madangguk’s another achievement in addition to its contribution to social theatre. This paper aims to seek how the traditional theatrical heritages are applied to Madangguk of 70s and 80s. According to the major characteristics, there are three types of Madangguk, i.e. Mask-dance based theatre type, Social Accusatory theatre type, and University-Oriented theatre type. Although they are different types, their main spirits and formal organization are similar, which have their roots in Korean traditional theatrical heritages. This paper selects two plays from each of three types. Madangguk is a modern theatre which succeed to many elements of traditional theatrical arts. It carries on the spirits of traditional theatre such as peoples’ consciousness, playful mind, and openness. Thus Madangguk always stands by common people, and support in favor of the poor and the week. It also love to play for play itself. ‘Sinmyeong’ is the state that the playful spirit reaches its peak and Madangguk tries to achieve this state. Any audience could drink and sing at the corner of stage if he reaches ‘Sinmyeong’ state. Madangguk also uses best of traditional episodic story structure, repetition, colloquial and rhythmic language, openness to the audience, typical characters, and long teamworks. Traditional theatre made of various episodes called ‘kwajang’ and it is not necessary to have lineal story development among ‘kwajang.’ Madangguk takes this structure and the episodes could be added in the case of any need. Madangguk not only applies colloquial and rhythmic language as the traditional theatre does, but also includes many folk songs and traditional music. Its structure as well as stage are opened to any interruptions. Any open place could be the stage of Madangguk. It uses typical characters instead of round characters and make the story familiar with the audience. Plus, Madangguk group works for long teamworks. Individual creativity is not respected as much as it is in modern theatre. Indeed, Madangguk is the modern theatrical form which receives the traditions of our traditional theatrical heritages. Madangguk may not aims to reconstruct the artistic achievements, but stands in the center of people’s consciousness and tradition.