National Theater of Korea to Stream the Play 'Peseuteu' Online on the 6th

'Ballad for Roxanne', '1945', and 'Silsuyeonbal' Also Scheduled for Performance

Theater performance scene of the play 'Pest' [Photo by National Theater Company]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The National Theater Company will screen the play "The Plague," performed at Myeongdong Arts Theater in 2018, through its official social media channels on the 6th.

The National Theater Company has prepared its first-ever "online full-length screening" since its founding to revitalize the theater industry, which has been stagnant due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and to offer the public a small moment of leisure with culture. Four works with both artistic quality and popular appeal, including cheerful pieces suitable for the whole family and thought-provoking problem plays, will be screened, with "The Plague" being the first among them.

"The Plague" is a play based on the novel of the same name by French novelist Albert Camus, adapted and directed by Park Geun-hyung, and was performed at Myeongdong Arts Theater in 2018. The spread of the infectious disease "plague," the closure of the city, and the extreme absurdity amid the great disaster evoke the present day of 2020, when daily life was disrupted by COVID-19.

The characters in "The Plague" from the 1940s overcome hardships through strong solidarity amid extreme fear. This work, which conveys the value of "those who do their best in their respective positions," sends a message of support, solidarity, and comfort at a time when all fields?politics, economy, society, and arts?are facing unexpected difficulties due to a contagious virus.

Following "The Plague," on the 8th, the romantic play "Ballad for Roxanne" (original by Edmond Rostand, directed by Seo Chung-sik, 2017) suitable for the whole family will be screened; on the 9th, "1945" (written by Bae Sam-sik, directed by Ryu Ju-yeon, 2017), which tells the story of people gathering at a refugee shelter with their own stories right after liberation; and on the 10th, Shakespeare's comedy "The Comedy of Errors" (written by William Shakespeare, directed by Seo Chung-sik and Nam Geung-ho, 2016) will be shown.

The four works can be watched for free on the National Theater Company's official YouTube channel for 24 hours starting from 10 a.m. on the day of screening. The four works will be screened once more in the same order from the 13th to the 17th.

The National Theater Company will also present "short play readings" through SNS. Six videos featuring a single actor reading a script of about 4 to 5 minutes, including stage directions, will be released. The reading works are six plays scheduled for performance this year by the National Theater Company: "Mansun," "Faust Ending," "Yeongji," "Jo's Orphan, Seed of Revenge," "Scapin," and "Variations on Love." The readers include National Theater Company season members Kang Hyun-woo, Go Ae-ri, Kwon Eun-hye, Kim Myung-gi, Park So-yeon, and Song Seok-geun.

The first video, "Jo's Orphan, Seed of Revenge," was released on March 27 in a reading version by actor Kim Myung-gi, and other content will be released sequentially throughout April.

Lee Sung-ryeol, artistic director of the National Theater Company, said, "At a time when the cultural and artistic sectors are more contracted than ever due to COVID-19, we want to open a new chapter to meet audiences through online campaigns. We hope that the power of theater will deliver warmth and comfort to citizens who have lost their daily lives."