Will Jeongdong Cecil Theater, Which Blossomed Small Theater Culture, Disappear into History?

Exterior view of Cecil Theater.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] Cecil Theater, which led modern Korean theater, is finally closing. The Seoul Theater Association, which has operated Cecil Theater since April 2018, removed all theater equipment as of the 10th at the request of the Anglican Church of Korea. As a result, Cecil Theater has effectively lost all its theater functions.

Cecil Theater, which maintained its legacy through five changes of ownership, was forced to close in January 2018 due to a management crisis. The Seoul Metropolitan Government cooperated with the Anglican Church of Korea, the theater's owner, to re-lease Cecil Theater and selected the Seoul Theater Association as the sixth operator.

The association supported about 40 groups to stage performances and festivals from September 2018 to December 2019, approximately 1 year and 4 months. They reduced the existing rental fees by about 60% to ease the burden on art organizations and enhanced safety through renovation of aging facilities. However, theater operations were not smooth. Operations were suspended in January last year due to construction to create a rooftop citizen space. Although normal operations resumed in October of the same year, electrical short circuits continued to occur above the stage.

The association judged that unless lighting and electrical facilities were replaced, it could lead to casualties and thus suspended operations, notifying the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Anglican Church. The Seoul Metropolitan Government conducted a detailed diagnostic consultation, discovered serious electrical problems, and prepared various alternatives to resume operations. However, they could not narrow differences with the owner, the Anglican Church. Ultimately, the Seoul Metropolitan Government terminated the agreement at the request of the Anglican Church, and the association removed all theater equipment on the 10th. The Anglican Church intends to continue Cecil Theater's legacy but has not disclosed specific plans. They even requested the removal of the dimmer, a voltage regulator.

Cecil Theater opened in 1976 and hosted the Korea Theater Festival, the predecessor of the Theater Actors' Hall and Seoul Theater Festival, from 1977 to 1980. Along with Samillo Warehouse Theater, it opposed commercialism in theater and blossomed the small theater culture. It was also the site where the June 10 Democratic Uprising declaration was made.

Ji Chun-sung, president of the Seoul Theater Association, said, “The association operated Cecil Theater for about 3 years and 6 months from May 2018 to the present, but the actual operation period was only 1 year and 7 months. During that time, we supported various works by art organizations to maintain publicness and transformed it into a theater exclusively for children and youth to continue to future generations.” He added, “Meanwhile, serious problems were discovered in the theater, and despite multifaceted efforts to resolve them, we ultimately could not prevent the closure. To maintain theater functions, a decision from the Anglican Church is necessary.”

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