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- ▲ Performance of the play ‘Cho Orphan, Seed of Revenge’. ⓒNational Theater Company
The National Theater of Korea‘s ‘Orphan Cho, Seed of Revenge’ will be performed at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Theater from November 21 to 30 to celebrate its 10th anniversary since its premiere in 2015.
‘Orphan Jo, Seed of Revenge’ recorded an average audience occupancy rate of 93% and the cumulative audience exceeded 36,000, continuing the legend of successive sell-outs and stand-up performances every season. This seventh season will meet audiences at the 1,200-seat Haeoreum Theater.
Director Ko Seon-woong adapted and directed the four greatest Chinese tragedies, ‘The Orphan of the Zhao Family‘ (originally written by Ki Gun-sang), which is called ‘Hamlet of the East’. It depicts the story of an orphaned Jo family, the only bloodline of the Jo family that was exterminated by the general Doan Go of the Qin Dynasty, who avenges the Jang Seong-hae family.
The secret to the work’s continued popularity lies in its classic value that responds to the call of the times. It talks about the cause of revenge, excessive power, and repeated punishment, and reflects like a mirror the image of modern society marred by unjust power, violence, and division. The emotional lines of the characters who decide or conflict between revenge and reconciliation are delicately revealed and recreated three-dimensionally.
In addition to the high level of perfection of the play, such as the exhilarating narrative and weighty portrayal of the human inner self, the simple and concise sentiment of the play, which contains humanism that seeks to protect universal values of mankind, is the reason why ‘Cho’s Orphan, Seed of Revenge’ continues to make audiences laugh and cry throughout the ages. Although it deals with the cliché subject of persecution and punishment, the play is completed with unique humor and aesthetics that are unique to director Go Seon-woong.
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- ▲ Performance of the play ‘Cho Orphan, Seed of Revenge’. ⓒNational Theater Company
Actors who have been with the show from the 6th season since the premiere, including Ha Seong-gwang (playing Jeong Young), Jang Du-i (playing Doan-go), and Lee Hyeong-hoon (playing the orphan Jo), appear, and this year, Lee Ho-jae is joining the cast as Yeonggong. Veteran actor Lee Ho-jae debuted in 1963 and is entering his 62nd year of stage experience.
Director Ko Seon-woong said, “I hope that the 10th anniversary of ‘Orphan Jo, Seed of Revenge’ will be a work that audiences are familiar with, but at the same time, read in a new way. Based on the trust that the cast and creative team have built up over a long period of time, I hope to be able to present a highly complete definitive version by taking into account all of the directing, stage experience, and technical evolution.”
He continued, “I hope that while inheriting the sentiment of the previous work, I will add a new theatrical sense and approach, and thereby show that ‘Orphan Jo, Seed of Revenge’ is a work that can continue to progress not only for 10 years, but also for the next 20, 30, and 100 years.”
‘Orphan Jo, Seed of Revenge’ will hold a special 10th anniversary event from November 21st to 30th to express its gratitude to the audience. All sessions will be held for those who have reserved paid tickets, and performance goods will be presented to 200 audience members in each session. To participate, obtain a paid ticket at the box office and present the ticket at the event booth set up in the lobby of the concert hall on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can reserve tickets on the National Theater Company, National Theater, and NOL Ticket websites. Accessibility support, such as audio commentary, Korean subtitles, and stage model touch tours, is provided for all performances, and after the performance on the 23rd, a conversation with the artists was prepared with director Ko Seon-woong and actors Ha Seong-gwang and Lee Hyeong-hoon attending.
