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Weekly Saturday Anseong Namsadang Program
Every Saturday from April to October, the area around Namsadang Training Center
becomes a venue for fun and festive traditional performances. The program features ten different performances,
including the graceful and dazzling tightrope walk seen in the movie "The King and the Clown". Anseong Namsadang
Troupe is Korea’s first entertainment group established during the Joseon Dynasty. The weekly Saturday program
offers free performances of Namsadang, which means the crowd, begins to form early every Saturday morning. If you
want to combine your trip with a visit to the Mahno Art Center, with its outdoor sculpture park, art gallery, and
filming set of "The King and the Clown", it is best to get an early start. Visitors will also enjoy the events on
traditional musical instruments and Namsadang techniques, offered on the lawn in front of the performance area.
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For an extra special experience, visit on the second Saturday of each month to
see not only Namsadang performances, but also a joint performance by some of the nation’s leading important
intangible cultural assets. To enhance the pleasure of your trip, you may want to see "The King and the Clown" before
heading to Anseong. Even if you don’t get the chance, it’s never too late to see it later. Join us on a trip to
Anseong, where you will see special performances that you could otherwise see only in movies.
→ Go to
Anseong Namsadang Nori Saturday Performances!
→ Go to
Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival!
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| Performance Program |
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The performance kicks off with an exorcism ritual beseeching the gods to grant a
successful program, followed by a performance called a Salpan. Interaction between the skilled clown acrobat and
his untalented, yet comic companion arouses bursts of laughter from the audience.
International visitors who don’t
speak Korean may not be able to grasp the humor of the show, which relies a great deal on the whimsical dialogue
between the performers and the audience and between the performers themselves. However, the comic pratfalls of the
clowns are reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin’s slapstick comedy and are understood by all members of the audience.
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Next is a Korean puppet show on the center stage, featuring wooden puppets. The
puppet performance is followed by a tightrope performance, the highlight of the Namsadang program. Keeping time
with the musical accompaniment, performers walk or jump on a rope three meters above the ground, demonstrating a
variety of techniques.
After the tightrope performance, there is a mask dance featuring colorful
masks with different facial features. Another fascinating traditional performance is the spinning of leather disks,
or beona, on the tips of tobacco pipes. Similar to plate spinning seen in circuses, performers toss and catch
spinning disks and also toss them back and forth to one another. |
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Afterwards, all troupe members come out on stage to perform to the rhythm of a
lively music. In the Mudong Nori, a performer dances with a child on his shoulders in a prayer for fertility.
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is also the Sangmo Nori, in which performers wear hats topped by long streamers (sangmo). As they twist and whirl,
the ribbons fly and twirl as well. For the finale, the troupe invites the audience to dance with them to the music
of pungmul, so if you stay until the end, you may join in.
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[ Namsadang Pungmul Nori ]
Dates: 18:30, Saturdays from April to October
Location: Open-air stage of Anseong Namsadang Training
Center
Homepage: www.baudeogi.com (Korean, English)
Korea Travel phone: +82-31-1330 (Korean, English,
Japanese, Chinese)
How to Get There: At Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a
bus for Anseong (06:45~21:10/ 25 daily departures/1 hours 20 minutes/3,900 won) → At the Anseong Bus Terminal, take
a taxi (3,000 won~5,000 won, 10 minutes / Fare as of May 2006)
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| Film Set of Movie The King and the Clown |
Mahno Art Center’s second-floor gallery displays props and costumes
from "The King and the Clown", including the king’s throne, the set of the royal chambers, and puppets used by the
king and Gong-gil.
The actual costumes worn in the movie by the king, Jang Nok-soo, and
Gong-gil are displayed, and some of them can be tried on for souvenir pictures. You may also sit on the king’s
throne and have your picture taken. The admission is 2,000 won for ages 18 and older, and 1,000 won for those under
18. Photographs can be taken inside.
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Location: F2, Gallery Mahno in Art Center Mahno
Hours: Saturday 11:00~21:00 / Sunday~Friday
11:00~18:00 / Closed on Mondays
Admission: 2,000 won for 18+ / 1,000 won for 18-
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| Art Center Mahno |
Connected to the outdoor stage of Anseong Namsadang Training Center, Art Center
Mahno comprises an art shop, gallery, restaurant, and an accommodation facility.
The first thing you will notice on your way to the training center is the architecture.
This house, which literally stands on its head, has been publicized on various occasions in the media. The art
center currently houses the film set of The King and the Clown. In the art shop on the first floor, silver
accessories and ceramics are on display, including some that are for sale. The center also offers numerous
experiential programs for both adults and children. In the glass art program, participants can make a glass bead
pendant or key holder. Just call to make a reservation. Also, classes for making the acrobat's pole and puppets
need no reservation. The program fees are 10,000 each and programs last between 15 minutes to an hour.
Understanding Korean is not necessary as you can easily follow the instructions.
The art center also houses an Italian restaurant with a huge glass wall, which
creates a romantic dining ambience. Restaurant prices tend to be on the expensive side, so if you are on a budget, you may want to look for alternatives like preparing a lunchbox or going to a cheaper place to eat. |
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[ Art Center Mahno ]
Opening Hours: 10:00~22:00
Location: Bokpyeong-ri 34, Bogae-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
Korea Travel Phone: +82-31-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Tel: +82-31-6767-8151
Fax: +82-31-675-7451
Restaurant menu: Steak 19,000~49,000 won, Spaghetti 16,000 won (plus
10% tax)
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[ Travel Tips ]
* Except in summer, the daytime and nighttime temperature varies
significantly, so don’t forget to bring a windbreaker or a jacket.
* Try to arrive early for a seat. You will not only enjoy the
performances more comfortably, but you can also look around the facilities before the show.
* If you are watching your expenses, try local foods like gukbap or
pajeon at an outdoor Korean restaurant. You can also bring your own food. There are lots of places to enjoy a
picnic outdoors.
* If you are planning to take a bus from the Anseong Intercity Bus
Terminal after the show, you may want to tell your taxi driver to pick you up at the Center when the show ends.
Public transportation is scarce in this area, and most people travel by car.
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| → Go to the movie "The King and the Clown"
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