Performance scene of 'When I See the Wide Sky's Rainbow, My Heart Dances,' which won the grand prize at the 41st Seoul Theater Festival Photo by Seoul Theater Association
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The play "When I See the Rainbow in the Wide Sky, My Heart Dances" (written by Jeong Ui-shin, directed by Gu Tae-hwan) by the theater company Suui won the Grand Prize (Seoul Mayor's Award) at the 41st Seoul Theater Festival.
"When I See the Rainbow in the Wide Sky, My Heart Dances" tells the story of people gathered at Rainbow Cinema, which is closing after 40 years of history. The judging panel commented, "With timely text, stable direction, and captivating acting and ensemble, the play greatly engaged the audience." They added, "The work poignantly captures the regrets over fading issues such as school violence, elderly parent care, and sexual minorities, and conveys the power of storytelling inherent in theater."
The Excellence Award (Jongno District Office Chief's Award) was given to the theater company Silhan's "Honmarabihae?" (written by Silhan, directed by Shin Myung-min) and Production IDA's "Joy, Blister, Burn" (written by Gina Zionfrido, directed by Kim Hee-young). "Honmarabihae?" deals with the hardships of Zainichi Koreans who belong neither to Korea, Japan, nor North Korea, and was praised for "the strength and sincerity of the creative team who have continuously collaborated." "Joy, Blister, Burn" features a 'seat-switching game' between Catherine, who left to pursue her dream, and Gwen, who married and started a family, highlighting witty lines and the charm of ping-pong style dialogue. It was praised for "solid text, stable direction, and active use of video."
The Acting Awards were given to four actors: Kim Jeong-min (as Shim Cheong in "Dara Dara Bright Moon"), Na Eun-seon (as Madam Yuhan and others in "Piece of Land"), Park Yoon-hee (as Jo Han-su in "When I See the Rainbow in the Wide Sky, My Heart Dances"), and Lee Ji-hye (as Avery in "Joy, Blister, Burn"). The New Actor Awards went to Kim Young-kyung (as Jappo in "Picnic on the Battlefield") and Yoo Jong-yeon (as Director Sun in "If I Were Real").
The Directing Award was given to director Yoon Sung-ho for "House of Death." The jury noted, "The refined and interesting direction excellently revealed the author's theme of 'life and death'." Director Yoon completed the unfinished play by writer Yoon Young-sun with a concise yet original and powerful story structure, and together they won the Playwright Award. The Stage Arts Awards went to movement director Yang Eun-sook for "Picnic on the Battlefield" and costume designer Oh Soo-hyun for "If I Were Real."
From the left, Ji Chunsung, Executive Committee Chairman of the Seoul Theater Festival; Koo Taehwan, director of "When I See the Rainbow in the Wide Sky, My Heart Dances," which won the grand prize; Nam Myungryeol, Artistic Director of the Seoul Theater Festival Photo by Seoul Theater Association
A plaque of appreciation was presented to Nam Myeong-ryeol, who served as the artistic director leading the Seoul Theater Festival for two years starting last year. Nam Myeong-ryeol expressed gratitude, saying, "Despite difficult circumstances, the theater companies filled the festival with diverse themes and perspectives, and the audience endured the inconvenience of wearing masks and stayed until the end, which made this theater festival conclude successfully."
The Special Contribution Award, given to theater companies that have contributed to the development of Seoul theater over many years and served as role models for younger theater artists, was awarded this year to Hwadoong Yeonwoohoe Theater Company on its 30th anniversary, and to Gori Theater Company, Gru Theater Company, Ensemble Theater Company, and Haebandre Theater Company on their 20th anniversaries.
In the "Seoul Theater Festival One-Act Play" contest, held for the first time to overcome COVID-19, Kim Ji-sun's "Hole" was selected as the winning work, and Kim Hee-yeon's "Axel" was chosen as the runner-up. A total of 133 works were submitted.
The eight official selected plays of this festival were performed with socially distanced seating, and 42 out of 80 performances were sold out. The closing ceremony scheduled for the 31st of last month was replaced with a simplified awards ceremony to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ji Chun-sung, executive director of the Seoul Theater Festival, said, "It is unfortunate that the closing ceremony was canceled, but I am relieved that all eight plays were able to complete their performances safely. I thank all the theater artists who participated."
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