Review: Jump at the Peacock Theatre

by Zoe Rafah

The award winning, all-action, comedy theatre production has been performed in 30 cities and 17 countries since 2005. 

Jump is a must-see night of action and entertainment about a Korean family, highly trained in Taekwondo, who are visited by burglars in the middle of the night.

Originally from Korea, Taekwondo is translated as: “The art of kicking and punching.” Comedy films such as Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour, have made productions of this nature more popular.

The idea for the show was first conceived in 1999 and was, at the time, titled Crazy Family. The performers began training with the Women’s national Gymnastics coach Jeong-Ok Soo, going on to perform at the National Theatre of Seoul in April 2003.

The show was then renamed Jump and began to successfully tour several countries, performing in theatres including the Union Square Theatre in New York, the Royal Paragon Hall in Bangkok, as well as the Hackney Empire in London.

Curtain up

Off to a brilliant start, as the lights went down, an ancient bearded Korean man emerges from the audience. The man can barely walk with his stick, and so asks for the physical support of an audience member, in order to mount the stage.

With a back that cannot straighten, he is literally on his last legs. After ten long minutes he is finally on the stage, and says in a high-pitched Korean accent: “Thank you!”, to which everyone roars with laughter.

After a very comical and determined platform arrival, you are surprised to discover that this man is in fact the stage and scene change coordinator, who then proceeds to appear throughout the show at every scene change with his comical stick-dependant walk, complete with grunts!

The chaotic family consists of grandfather, father, mother, drunken uncle, and young daughter. The family burst onto the stage dancing and displaying their Martial Arts skills, as they are each introduced. The atmosphere is great as the audience clap to the beat of the music.

Another cast member is then added to the family as a visitor and love interest for the young daughter. His character is your typical Clark Kent scenario, a normal, unconfident, young man with glasses, but when his glasses come off, electricity goes through his body and he becomes this confident, hot martial arts expert, complete with sexy outfit change.

There is very little talking in this production, but this does not detract from its brilliance. After the interval, when all is quiet, through the window climb two burglars dressed in black, a cunning one and a chubby dumb partner. The intruders disturb the family’s slumber, and this is when the fun begins.

The skilled fight experts are determined to defend their home, as they come against guns and knives, with thrilling Taekwondo moves.

The performers brought audience members onto the stage on more than one occasion to be part of the play, which created an artistic production of immense content: a massive credit to the Korean culture.

Jump will capture and entertain people of any nationality or culture; there is no hype in the success of this fantastic production.

 

Jump
Peacock Theatre
Until November 21