about NANTA

NANTA is a comic musical non-verbal performance derived from the traditional Korean instrumental performance “Samulnori.”
The only and the best entertaining performance with a high energy, easy – watch experience, infectious rtythm and non-verbal humor that cuts across both age and international barriers.
In NANTA, Knives, chopping board and other kitchen utensils are transformed into musical instruments in the hands of the performers.
NANTA has been one of the most popular shows in Korea ever since it premiered in October 1997, drawing the largest number of spectators in Korean stage history. NANTA made its international debut in 1999 at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it received an award for the best performance. Since then, it has been staged in the U.K., Germany, Austria, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia,etc.
Eventually NANTA made it all the way to New York, premiering at the Minetta Lane Theatre on March 7, 2004 and running for one and a half years.
NANTA had become the first Asian show to open its own off-Broadway theatre!
Now over 10 million people around the world are enjoying NANTA’s spectacular performances. NANTA performances can also be seen at the four different theatre locations within Korea. NANTA also received an award for Best Urban program in 2009 and is also being highly recommended by tourist and locals alike.
  • Characteristic

    NON-VERBAL Performance NANTA is a completely nonverbal and universal performance. Since it is purely presented through music and motions, there is no language barrier. Therefore, NANTA can enjoyed by people from all around the world!

    Traditional Korean Beat NANTA combines rhythms from Korean folk music with modern music to create an experience very unique but also familiar to the international audience. As an ameliorated mixture between Korean traditional rhythm and modern audio system, NANTA became a super-rookie in the world culture market.

    Drama Many nonverbal performances are dull due to the repeat of only rhythms and beats and lack of excitement in suspension. NANTA overcomes this drawback by combining a storyline with various comic scenes set in a kitchen. By adhering to its storyline, NANTA manages to be well organized without using any verbal scripts.

    Audience Participation To double the fun, all of the audience can participate in the show. Spectators can be the bride and groom in a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, compete in piling up dumplings, and interact with the performers. You can play the rhythm on the stage and make the other audience more excited. You become the part of the show! This is a unique but charming point, which only belongs NANTA.

    NANTA Open-run Theatre NANTA has built NANTA Open-run theatre in Seoul for the first in Korea. The first standing performing-art theater was essential
    for a performance to have shows for decades. The NANTA Theatre has become the top 10 Tourist Attraction in Seoul and is always
    full of audience. In addition, the first Asian musical on Broadway, New York, NANTA theatre is at all times welcoming foreign visitors.
  • Synopsis

    Three cooks start their day.
    While they are busy preparing the vegetables and organizing the kitchen, a bad tempered manager appears. He orders them to prepare food for a wedding by 6 o’clock in the afternoon. The cooks, who had not been told about this event, are caught completely off-guard. Not only that, the manager also brings his young nephew with him and demands that the cooks teach him how to cook and prepare food. The manager exits after barking out these seemingly impossible orders.

    The due is 6 o’clock!
    Although the cooks don’t like this clueless boy, they begin their works. Peeling this here, chopping that there, and frying it over there, the whole kitchen rocks and rushes. While preparing for the reception, the boy and the cooks get closer, and the audience joins the show.

    At last, it’s 6 o’clock!
    With their excellent cooperation, brilliant ideas and full performance, they finally have all the jobs done! The wedding banquet draws to a successful conclusion.

    Let’s rock the party!
    A splendid party with ‘now four’ cooks and the manager!
    Their vigorous energy, overwhelming power and thrilling sound and all exploded at the finale. You can hardly resist rocking your body, and the finale will long remain in your memory.