[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The theater production company Yeongeuk Yeoljeon unveiled the lineup for 'Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 8,' which begins this May, on the 6th.
Having established its brand image by presenting a new paradigm for Korean theater, Yeongeuk Yeoljeon marks its eighth season by showcasing five licensed world premiere plays that pose relevant questions to our current society.
The first play, 'LUNGS,' written by British playwright Duncan Macmillan, has been consistently performed worldwide since its premiere in 2011. This two-person play depicts the love and lives of a man and a woman, leading to ongoing reflections and conversations about the environment, society, and the world around us. 'LUNGS' conveys a message of 'love' despite any circumstances, focusing on the impact of individual choices on the planet. It is regarded as especially relevant today, as awareness of the climate crisis grows and conscious consumption becomes a hot topic.
The second play, 'MOUTHPIECE,' premiered in Edinburgh in 2018 and tells the story of 'Declan,' a person with outstanding artistic talent who cannot fully express it due to environmental constraints, and 'Livvy,' a middle-aged playwright in a slump. Presented in a 'meta-theater' format where the ongoing story between characters and the work based on that story are delivered simultaneously to the audience, viewers watch the play Livvy is writing while also witnessing Declan's life and choices, which serve as the play's subject. Through this approach, the play effectively conveys cultural gaps between classes and the voices of the marginalized, asking who has the right to tell stories, who determines the authenticity of art, what responsibilities art holds in modern society, and what it truly means to 'watch' theater.
The third play, 'THE NATURE OF FORGETTING,' is a licensed world premiere of the play introduced last year as the fourth production of 'Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 7' and a project by the Ulan Cultural Foundation. It is performed through collaboration between the original creative team and Korean actors and musicians. The invited performance last year sold out all seats and attracted significant attention. This work portrays a beautiful journey in search of something that remains forever even as memories fade, expressed through the rich melodies of a two-person live band and dynamic physical language. Performed by Korean actors and musicians, it is expected to resonate emotionally even closer with domestic audiences.
The fourth play, 'LE FILS,' is the final work in the 'family series' by French playwright Florian Zeller, well known to Korean audiences through 'Truth X Lies,' the third production of 'Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 7.' Zeller's works 'The Father' and 'The Mother,' starring Park Geun-hyung and Yoon So-jung, were performed at Myeongdong Arts Theater in 2016. Following 'The Father,' which focuses on senile dementia, and 'The Mother,' which depicts middle-aged anxiety, 'Le Fils,' inspired by the playwright's personal experiences, addresses the anxiety and depression of adolescent youth.
The fifth play, 'THE KING'S SPEECH,' premiered in the UK in 2012. It is the original work of the film of the same name, which won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor at the 83rd Academy Awards, gaining worldwide acclaim. The play tells the true story of 'Bertie (King George VI),' who unexpectedly ascended the throne due to his elder brother David (Edward VIII)'s romance but struggled with a stammer that prevented him from speaking publicly, and his speech therapist 'Lionel.' Amid the national crisis of World War II, Bertie's desperate struggle to fulfill his responsibilities as king poses a relevant question to us today about what it means to be a 'true leader.'
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