Small Theater Sanwoollim 35th Anniversary Exhibition and Performance 'The Time of the Building'

Performance of Key Scenes from Representative Works Including 'Waiting for Godot' Until November 1

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The small theater Sanwoollim in Mapo-gu, Seoul, is celebrating its 35th anniversary with an exhibition and performance titled "The Time of the Building," reflecting on the time and memories accumulated so far, running until November 1st.

Sanwoollim is both the name of the theater company and the theater itself. The theater company Sanwoollim marked its 51st anniversary this year. Theater Sanwoollim, the dedicated venue for the company, was established in March 1985 on Wausan-ro in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The representative work of absurdist drama, "Waiting for Godot," is the flagship production of the Sanwoollim theater company. Director Lim Young-woong, who created "Waiting for Godot," demolished his own house and used his personal funds to establish the Sanwoollim theater company, premiering "Waiting for Godot" domestically in 1969 at the Hankook Ilbo small theater. In 1985, Director Lim built the Sanwoollim theater.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the premiere of "Waiting for Godot" as well as the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Sanwoollim theater company, and this year is the 35th anniversary of the opening of Theater Sanwoollim. Currently, Lim Su-jin, daughter of Director Lim Young-woong, serves as the theater director and manages its operations.

On the second floor of Sanwoollim theater, the gallery Art & Craft is hosting an archive exhibition titled "Reflection," showcasing collections and records stored inside the building. The exhibition was planned by theater director Lim Su-jin and independent curator Jung Mi-ryeong.

The passageway and stairs connecting the second-floor gallery and the first-floor theater display a timeline of the 35 years of small theater Sanwoollim and photographs of figures who have illuminated Sanwoollim. Video messages from theater professionals and audiences celebrating the 35th anniversary are also being screened.

In the basement small theater, a performance titled "35 Years of Resonance" revisits famous lines and scenes from Sanwoollim’s representative works. Directed and organized by Sanwoollim artistic director Lim Su-hyun, the performance selects key works that have graced Sanwoollim’s stage, featuring explanations and video materials, with three actors reenacting iconic scenes and lines in this commemorative show.

Actor Ahn Seok-hwan, who has had a deep connection with Sanwoollim’s stage since the 1990s including "Waiting for Godot," participates as a special narrator. Three actors who have participated in various Sanwoollim performances?Park Yoon-seok ("Waiting for Godot," "The Stranger"), Lim Jeong-eun (Sanwoollim Letter Concert), and Wang Bo-in (Sanwoollim Classic Theater)?reconstruct and perform works representing different periods of Sanwoollim on stage.

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