A lighthearted tale of love, cunning deceit and comedy, the ballet rendition of “The Taming of the Shrew” made its official Asian troupe debut Wednesday at the Seoul Arts Center.

The Korea National Ballet, becoming the first Asian ballet company to stage the work choreographed by John Cranko, held a special premiere showing on Wednesday afternoon in front of nearly 1,000 middle school students.

The family-friendly performance was intended to give children the opportunity to not only experience and appreciate the performing arts, but to encourage today’s youths to discover their passions and to pursue a life that will give them the most happiness, the state-run ballet troupe said. The special showing was organized in cooperation with the Culture Ministry. 

“The Taming of the Shrew” is a full-length ballet following the storyline of the witty Shakespearean play of the same title. The less-than-desirable Katherina ― “the shrew” ― frightens away any potential romantic suitors, but her younger and far more desirable sister must halt her search for a husband until her sister is married off first. The work was premiered by the Stuttgart Ballet in March 1969.

For the Korean production, KNB artistic director and Stuttgart Ballet principal dancer Kang Sue-jin took a hand in directing her troupe.

Kang previously played the role of Katherina in a Stuttgart Ballet production staged here in 2006. It was her first time performing in a comedic ballet.

Taking on the lead role of Katherina in the upcoming performances are KNB principal dancers Kim Ji-young, Shin Seung-won and Lee Eun-won. The male lead of Petruchio, Katherina’s husband, will be played by principals Kim Hyun-woong, Lee Dong-hoon and Lee Jae-woo.

The two-act ballet based on the Shakespeare classic will continue its performance until May 3 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theatre. Ticket prices range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.kballet.org.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)