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| ▲ This photo, provided by Show Note Theatre, shows a scene from 'Shakespeare in Love.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Show Note Theatre, shows Kim Yoo-jung in the play 'Shakespeare in Love.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Show Note Theatre, shows a scene from 'Shakespeare in Love.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This file photo shows Kim Yoo-jung at the press conference of 'Shakespeare in Love.' (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This file photo shows the cast of 'Shakespeare in Love' at the press conference. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- “Shakespeare in Love” is a play adaptation of the 1990s film of the same name that imaginatively unfolds the witty and timeless tale behind the creation of “Romeo and Juliet,” the greatest love story ever told by William Shakespeare.
The play unravels a fictitious tragic love story between William Shakespeare and his muse Viola De Lesseps, imagining what might have inspired the world’s pre-eminent playwright to write one of his most famous plays. The play “Shakespeare in Love” premiered in South Korea at CJ Towol Theater in Seoul Arts Center on Jan. 28.
Producer Song Han-saem, who was in charge of delivering the performance, said at the press conference that was held at the performance venue Tuesday, “Our play is a work depicting not only the love story of Shakespeare and Viola but also the stories of people who chase after their dreams by writing plays.”
“Shakespeare in Love,” which had its world premiere at the West End theatre in London, features the love story of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer of all time, and Viola de Lesseps, an ideal woman who dreamed of becoming an actress, by weaving it with the plot of the all-time favorite love story “Romeo and Juliet.”
The English playwright Lee Hall was in charge of writing the script based on the film of the same name that won Best Picture at the U.S. Academy Awards and the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. The South Korean production of this play garnered domestic attention even before its opening when the excellent cast lineup, consisting of eye-catching actors such as Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Sang-cheol, and Lee Sang-Yi, was announced.
The work made the best use of the merits of the film which led the story by properly quoting Shakespeare’s gem-like lines and sonnet phrases. In the meantime, the enormous stage device that is constantly moving throughout the show and most of all the outstanding harmony between the 22 actors on stage added fun and delight that could not be found in the film.
The stage system, which embodies the 16th-century London amphitheater where people from all walks of life would have sat around and enjoyed the premiere of Shakespeare’s play, as well as the bar in the back alley where free-spirited artists, amuses the audience with its colorful but delicate historical evidence.
The harmony between the actors helps the audience to be immersed in Shakespeare’s poems and lines, which could sound unfamiliar to some.
Viola, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, loves the play and dreams of becoming an actress; however, as women were barred from the stage, she disguises herself as a male actor she named Kent and joins Shakespeare’s act.
None of the scenes acted out by Kim Yoo-jung was awkward, as she went back and forth between short-haired Kent and elegant Viola whilst falling in love with Shakespeare.
“Before the rehearsals and practices, it was quite intimidating to star in a play as this is my first time. But as soon as I began practicing, I fell deep into the charms of acting in a play along with my fellow actors. I am pondering over every line and practicing them so that they would reach the hearts of the audience,” Kim Yoo-jung said during the press conference.
“Starring in a play has always been my dream, and I think this play will enrich me with experiences that are delightful enough for me to be reminded of whenever I go through hard times in my life,” the actress added.
There are strong parallels between the pair’s romance and the romance of Romeo and Juliet as Shakespeare and Viola also go through forbidden love; yet, their love for plays moves forward.
Director Kim Dong-yeon said with anticipation, “I hope this story of those who fell in love with plays would be gracefully delivered,” adding, “I also wish that I could share with the audience how beautiful plays are and also that they may be moved by this play that tells the stories of those who performed plays during the era of Shakespeare in a way that differs from the film.”
The Korean production of “Shakespeare in Love” will be on stage until Mar. 26.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)
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