A Heartwarming Story of Homeless People at a Theater Facing Demolition, Play 'Donggul Gajok'

From October 15 to 31 at Daehangno Yegrin Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The theater troupe Gwanak Theater Company will perform the allegorical human comedy play The Cave Dwellers (original title: The Cave Dwellers) from October 15 at the Yegrin Theater in Daehak-ro.

The play The Cave Dwellers is a work by William Saroyan (1908?1981), who was selected as one of the "Great American Playwrights" in 1939. Saroyan's works typically explore human kindness among ordinary people, filled with warmth and humor. The Cave Dwellers also embodies these characteristics of the author.

The story depicts homeless people living in an old theater in New York, which is about to be demolished, who, despite their cave-like harsh environment, maintain dignity and humor, care for and cherish each other, and live like one family in a beautiful and warm tale.

In an old theater stage in New York, facing imminent demolition due to urban redevelopment, live a clown who claims to be a king, a woman called the queen who is sick from hunger and cold, and a former professional boxer known as the Duke. One day, a frightened girl without a home, chased out of a toy factory, runs into the theater and stays there thanks to the Duke's kindness. Though suffering from cold and hunger, they live by recreating past successes and enjoying improvisational plays, and the girl gradually falls in love with the Duke. Then, a street showman comes to the theater seeking help for his wife's childbirth. Thus begins the warm story of people gathering one by one in this cave-like theater.

The Cave Dwellers has been steadily performed since its premiere at the Bijou Theatre on Broadway, New York, in 1957. A representative of the troupe said, "This work warmly soothes the hearts of people who have grown cold due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic."

Since its founding in 2011, Gwanak Theater Company has performed classic plays from the East and West that have been overlooked by commercialism. Actor Lee Soon-jae and Jung Chang-ok play the roles of the "king," joined by veteran actors including Na Ho-suk, Park Woo-yeol, Park Jae-min, Ji Ju-yeon, Lee Kyu-bin, Kim In-soo, Jung In-beom, Yoo Jung-gi, Kim Tae-jin, Lee Yoo-bin, Heo Eun-young, Gil Ji-hyuk, Kim Bo-ram, and Tae Yoon.

Meanwhile, the Yegrin Theater, where The Cave Dwellers will be performed, plans to ensure thorough safety measures against COVID-19, including restricting entry to audiences without masks, requiring health questionnaires, and conducting temperature checks to provide a safe viewing experience.

The Cave Dwellers will be performed from October 15 to 31 at the Yegrin Theater in Daehak-ro. Tickets will open at 3 PM on the 21st on YES24 Ticket and Interpark Ticket websites, with an early bird discount of 40% available for reservations made by October 4.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.