Why not Shakespeare?

Actors perform a scene of “King Rear,” directed by Koh Sun-woong, at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. The play runs through Dec. 28. / Courtesy of LG Arts Center

‘King Lear,’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’ reborn with contemporary touch

The year’s end is a good time for big musical productions such as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Aida.” But for those desiring something other than the glamour of musicals, two Shakespearean plays with modern twists await Korean audiences.

Though Shakespeare passed away some 400 years ago, his works penetrate into fundamental issues such as good and evil, and love and hatred. The style and themes of Shakespeare are contemporary and that is probably why so many directors are attracted to his works and want to portray them in a modern style.

‘King Rear’

Korean playwright and director Koh Sun-woong’s “King Rear,” on stage at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, is an interpretation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” The Korean title literally translates to “Rear Apocrypha,” which signals how the play twists the original “King Lear.”

The running time is relatively long for a play — 160 minutes including an intermission — but storyteller Koh captivates the audiences with witty dialogue borrowed from Shakespeare and the dynamic movement of 21 actors and a choir.

Both wings of the stage and the upstage area are used as dressing rooms. The actors change costume, drink water or watch other actors on stage and are visible to the audience.

Earlier part of the play is similar to “King Lear.” King Rear asks his three daughters — Goneril, Regan and Cordelia — to express their love to him so he can divide up his fortune in favor of the one who loves him most. The eldest Goneril and second Regan elaborate how much they love the king, but youngest Cordelia refuses to express her love.

However, the lines are modern. Rear swears at his daughters and Goneril and Regan rattle on about their love to Rear, while Cordelia makes sarcastic remarks about her father.

Koh defines this play as an “entertaining tragedy.” The director spiced up the tragic story of the sorrow of an old king who is abandoned by his daughters with unexpected use of music. The duke of Albany, husband to Goneril, plays recorder clumsily and Rear suddenly sings Cho Yong-pil’s “Empty Space” when he gets frustrated at his daughters.

In “King Rear,” the King goes to “Chicken House,”a shelter for abandoned elderly, and regains a new zest for life.

Instead of the tragic original ending in which Lear dies with his daughter Cordelia in his arms, Koh’s Rear kills two daughters and other people who betrayed him before finally killing himself, with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “Ode to Joy” playing. The youngest daughter Cordelia survives, unlike the original, symbolizing the hope for future generation.

Lee Seung-hun plays King Rear, Chu Gui-jeong Goneril, Park Ju-yeon Regan and Lee Kyung-mi Cordelia.

“King Rear” runs through Dec. 28. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114.

Kang Pil-suk, left, who plays Romeo, and Jeun Mi-do, playing Juliet, rehearse a scene of Chinese director Tian Quinxin’s modern adaptation, which will be staged from Tuesday to Dec. 28. / Courtesy of National Theater Company of Korea

‘Romeo and Juliet’

The National Theater Company of Korea presents another Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet” from famed Chinese director Tian Quinxin, starting Tuesday at Main Hall Hae of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul.

Co-produced with the National Theater Company of China, this “Romeo and Juliet” is a part of a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and China.

Tian previously staged “Life and Death” and “Orphan” in Korea.

Tian takes the timeless love story to China in 1966, when the Cultural Revolution was launched. The storyline is the same, but the circumstances are totally different. Romeo is a member of the Red Guards working at a factory, while Juliet is a daughter of a high-ranking military officer.

The director added Chinese elements such as the contrast of dynamic movements and static images, combined with lyrical music and dance.

A pyramid-shaped roof will be set on stage and the actors will climb on it. This reflects the director’s idea of love and youth. “I think love is something extreme. It climbs up steep and falls suddenly, like the actors in this play,” Tian said at a press conference.

After premiering in Korea, Tian’s “Romeo and Juliet” will be performed in Beijing and Shanghai next October and there are plans to tour more countries.

Kang Pil-suk plays Romeo and Jeun Mi-do plays Juliet.

The play is performed in Korean with English and Chinese subtitles. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.ntck.or.kr or call (02) 1688-5966. <The Korea Times/Kwon Mee-yoo>