Comedy Play ‘Scapin’, Opening at Myeongdong Art Theater from the 23rd of Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The National Theater Company of Korea will present Moli?re's Scapin Les Fourberies de Scapin from November 23 to December 25 at the National Theater Company’s Myeongdong Arts Theater.

Scapin is a flagship repertoire piece originally produced and premiered by the National Theater Company in 2019. It received overwhelming acclaim from critics and audiences alike for its timely adaptation and distinctive choreography, winning awards such as the ‘2019 Best 7 Performances of the Year’ selected by Monthly Korean Theater and the 56th Dong-A Theater Award for Stage Art. Due to popular demand, it was revived in 2020 and, after touring Guri, Geoje, Jeju, and Daejeon this year, it is preparing for its third encounter with audiences at the Myeongdong Arts Theater in Seoul.

Notably, 2022 marks the 400th anniversary of Moli?re’s birth, making this a meaningful opportunity to revisit the works of Moli?re, who reshaped theater history and shook French society of his time.

Scapin is based on the original play Les Fourberies de Scapin by Moli?re, the world-renowned French playwright. The story centers on the character ‘Scapin,’ derived from the mischievous servant ‘Scapino’ of the Italian comedy tradition Commedia dell’arte. The playful yet endearing servant Scapin helps two children defy their families’ arranged marriages to protect their true love, captivating audiences with his sharp wit and cheerful mockery. Alongside this, Scapin’s clever schemes sharply satirize the hypocrisy and corruption of society.

A special feature of this production is that Moli?re himself appears on stage to guide the play and interact with the audience. Furthermore, the unique blend of movement, singing, and music characteristic of director Im Dowan, a master of physical theater, enhances the vibrant charm of the characters. Live musical performances on stage enrich the production and stimulate the audience’s senses.

The seasoned and skillful performances of actors Kang Haejin, Kim Myunggi, Lee Junghyun, Moon Yeju, Park Kyungjoo, Sung Won, and Lee Hocheol, who participated in previous productions, are complemented by the fresh energy of new season members Kim Yeeun, Ahn Changhyun, and Lee Hyemi, delivering even stronger laughter. Additionally, humor codes and dialogues updated for 2022 await the audience. The 17th-century play reflects contemporary life, offering deep empathy and emotional resonance. Changes in costumes and makeup compared to previous performances also provide another layer of enjoyment for the audience.

To enhance accessibility for diverse audiences, the National Theater Company will hold barrier-free performances from November 26 to 28, providing Korean subtitles, audio descriptions, and Korean Sign Language interpretation. Moreover, Korean subtitles will be consistently available on Mondays and Fridays, and English subtitles on Thursdays and Sundays to facilitate viewing convenience.

Scapin tickets can be purchased through the National Theater Company and Interpark websites. Youth under 24 years old can watch the performance for 15,000 KRW under the ‘Blue Ticket’ category, valid only for the ticket holder. After the performance on December 4, a ‘Talk with the Artists’ session will be held with director Im Dowan and the entire cast.

In celebration of Moli?re’s 400th anniversary, the Korean Society of French Language and Literature and the National Theater Company will jointly host a symposium titled ‘Moli?re, 400 Years of Laughter.’ It will take place after the performance on December 10 and will discuss Moli?re’s comedies and Korean comedy. Attendance is free for audience members of that performance. Lecturers and panelists include Jeong Yeonbok (Lecturer, Department of European Culture, Chung-Ang University), Jo Mansu (Professor, Department of French Language and Culture, Chungbuk National University), Im Dowan (Director of Scapin, Professor of Theater, Seoul Institute of the Arts), and Kim Taeyong (Director, Theater Company Suremudai).

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