The Voice of Nature Destroyed by the Climate Crisis... Play 'Sugoparagal'

National Theater Company 'Creative Empathy: Directing' Project
Breaking Away from Traditional Play Narratives and Forms

As the issue of climate change sweeps across the globe, a play conveying a message about the environment is coming to audiences.

National Theater Company Play 'Sugoparagal'
[Photo by National Theater Company]

The National Theater Company of Korea will present the play 'Sugoparagal' from August 24 to September 17 at the Hongik University Daehangno Art Center Small Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Im Seong-hyun, who won the Dong-A Theater Award for Best New Director for the play 'Tuk,' is directing.

The work focuses on the connection between capitalism and the climate crisis, unraveling the concerns and stories that arise from this relationship. The motif of the land turtle in the play is the 'Galapagos land turtle,' an endangered species. Through the world of 'Sugoparagal' and the story of the land turtle, the director raises questions about the things sacrificed due to human selfishness.

The play also breaks away from traditional narrative and form. The seven actors do not have character names. They do not portray fixed characters but deliver fragmented lines and rapid-fire words.

In the space arranged as a circular stage, not only the actors but also the audience become part of the performance. The audience directly arranges cushions, leaves footprints on the stage, participates in the process of pollution, and completes the performance.

The work was developed over about a year, starting from the 2022 theme of 'Creative Sympathy: Direction,' which focused on 'Climate Crisis and Art.'

Climate action was also carried out during the development process. Team members practice avoiding disposable products, maintaining a vegan meal once a day, and individual climate action campaigns. The experiences of practice and failure during the production process will be recorded in the program book.

Director Im said, "Humans have made choices that go against the principles of natural selection, evolution, and the laws of nature," adding, "Through a strangely inverted world, twisted stories, and abandoned people, I hope the audience reflects on humanity’s past and present."