The Provocative Work Questioning the Essence of Family, 'Pamuchin Ai', to Be Reperformed in Seoul on the 15th of Next Month

A Work That Sparked Buzz Among Audiences and Critics at Its 2021 Premiere

Theater play 'Pamuchin Ai' performance still cut. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Theater Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company announced on the 30th that it will reprise the play "Buried Child" at the Daehakro Arts Theater Small Theater from June 15 to 26.

"Buried Child" is a work that received support from both audiences and critics for its perfect stage realization and dramatic foreshadowing during its premiere in early 2021, and it will be performed again this time.

"Buried Child," a representative work by the famous actor and playwright Sam Shepard who passed away in 2017, is the second play in the author's family trilogy. It is considered a pinnacle of Shepard's career, having won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979.

During the Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company's premiere in 2021, director Han Taesook presented a stage filled with audiovisual devices, expressions, and eerie perspectives based on the final revised translation from 1996. Director Han suggests that the reality we witness in the work is a harsh event where family harms family, revealing a beast-like aspect of society that has abandoned its humanity.

Furthermore, through the demise of a family in the play, it poses the paradoxical question, "What is the condition of being human?" toward the horrific present that we want to turn a blind eye to.

In this performance, mythical interpretations will be reinforced, and the ritualistic aspects expanded to convincingly express humanity's archetypal fears. Director Han Taesook revealed that the scene she wants to view from a different angle this year is "the shamanistic ritual scene of the eldest son Tilden (played by Yoon Jaeung), who willingly becomes the Jeju (ritual master)." She explained, "By expanding the psychology of willingly falling into the ritualistic consciousness, the audience will feel a different rhythm through the image of the Jeju becoming part of the ritual without even having time to recognize himself."

Following actress Ye Soojeong, who played Halie in the 2021 performance, actress Sung Yeo-jin will take on the role of Halie. Son Byungho, who showed a heavy charisma and flexible acting, and actor Jung Jiyoung, who portrayed intense and provocative roles, will join the stage alongside Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company's representative actors Han Beomhee, Yoon Jaeung, Jung Daun, and Hwang Seongyeon.

Stage designer Lee Taeseop, who realized the broken house between dreams and reality filled with soil and weeds, falling raindrops, and the huge cornfield surrounding the house to enhance the completeness of the play, along with lighting designer Kim Changgi, costume designer Kim Woosung, music by Jimi Ser, choreography by Lee Kyungeun, objects by Lee Jihyung, and makeup designer Baek Jiyoung, will also participate again following the premiere.

The performance will be held from June 15 to 26 at the Daehakro Arts Theater Small Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The play 'Pamuchin Ai' will be performed from June 15 to 26 at the Daehakro Arts Theater Small Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Theater Company

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