൯ COOKIN' NANTA

‘Nanta,’ which literally means random drum-beats is a non verbal performance based on the rhythms of samullori (traditional Korean percussions) that is uniquely Korean. The typical Samullori musical percussions have been replaced with diverse drums improvised from kitchen utensils. Going back and forth from cooking to pounding out their rhythmic cadences, from cheerful banter to playful animosity, the kitchen crew creates visual humor and aural fun that entices the audience to participate. As they complete the best dishes of the day, the performance culminates in a feast that is shared with the audience to highlight and celebrate the communal bond found in a traditional Samulnori performance. The show is designated as one of the ‘Top Ten Things to See in Seoul’ by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Nanta made its international debut in 1999 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received an award for best performance. Since then it has been staged in the U.K., Germany, Austria, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Australia. With plenty of support from successful oversea performances in February 2004 Nanta finally opened a long term performance in Broadway New York being the first in Asia.