[Review] 'Rebecca' Draws 1 Million Audience with Twists and Explosive Vocal Power... A Well-Deserved Success

Tension Filled with Suspense and Twists
Powerful Resonance Filling the Venue
Ok Juhyeon’s Presence Stands Out

“I am an employee who earns 10 francs a week. Are you going to hire me?”

The love between ‘I,’ the employee assisting Mrs. Van Hopper on her trip to Monte Carlo, and Maxim de Winter, who is going through a difficult time after losing his wife Rebecca in an unexpected accident, is sudden. Just days after their first meeting, Maxim de Winter proposes, and ‘I,’ unable to believe it, asks, “Are you hiring me now?” Eventually, ‘I’ agrees to become his wife and moves to Manderley to become the mistress of the grand estate.

[Photo by EMK Musical Company]

Act 1 focuses on ‘I’ adapting to the Manderley estate. It tells the story of struggling under constant comparison to the former mistress, Rebecca, who was praised by everyone. However, Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper who is almost Rebecca’s alter ego, maintains Rebecca’s traces and encourages ‘I’ to conform to them. In fact, it might be more accurate to say she wants to erase ‘I’s existence. Her attitude is full of the nuance of “How dare you.” Eventually, following Mrs. Danvers’ advice, ‘I’ chooses a masquerade ball costume that shocks all the attendees.

While Act 1 focuses on introduction and explanation for understanding the background, Act 2 leads the audience to the climax of the conflict. After it is revealed that the masquerade ball costume advice, seemingly given for ‘I’s benefit, was actually a scheme, the song exchange between Mrs. Danvers and ‘I’ is truly a highlight. Mrs. Danvers’ madness shines brilliantly, and the high-pitched vocal battle representing their conflict is enough to thrill the audience. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the performance, the domestic production company’s revolving stage in the non-replica version adds immersion to the dramatic atmosphere.

[Photo by EMK Musical Company]

Although ‘I’ is the protagonist in terms of appearance and plot development, the public is naturally more drawn to the charismatic villain. Mrs. Danvers, who is both the perpetrator and perhaps a victim herself, captivates with her madness and explosive vocal power, surpassing ‘I’ in popularity. The live audience’s reaction is especially passionate for Mrs. Danvers’ numbers. It is also true that skilled actors with strong fandoms, such as Shin Youngsook and Ok Juhyun, have been cast in the role of Mrs. Danvers. The ‘Burning Manderley’ number, where Mrs. Danvers, engulfed in betrayal, sets fire to the mansion, steals everyone’s eyes and ears, directing them toward the fiery imagery.

Despite various controversies outside the production, Ok Juhyun’s stature within the work remains solid. Her voice fills the theater’s air, and the vibrations transmitted through compressed air sharpen the senses. If Lee Jisoo, who plays ‘I,’ draws out beauty from a clear and pure voice, Ok Juhyun as Mrs. Danvers boasts an eruptive beauty that creates seismic waves as if a volcano is exploding.

If the musical Rebecca were compared to a gun, Act 1 would be the ‘loading,’ and Act 2 the ‘firing.’ Act 1 carefully packs the powder, and Act 2 releases it. Since it is a work by Daphne du Maurier, known as the queen of suspense, it is rich in tension and plot twists. Act 2 unfolds at a pace twice as fast as Act 1, effectively erasing time.

Since its premiere in 2013, Rebecca has surpassed one million viewers this season. This was achieved over seven seasons in ten years. The domestic million-seller musicals include nine works: Empress Myeongseong, Cats, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, Notre Dame de Paris, Chicago, Aida, and Hero. Rebecca has become the tenth to join this list of million-sellers.

Rebecca will run at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall until November 19.

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