[Namsan Stroll] Gaining New Vitality at a Turning Point in Life

Commemorative Performances by Theater Troupes

A Time for Reflection Through the Stage

Despite facing numerous hardships, theater troupes that have persevered are presenting a series of performances to commemorate the years since their founding.

At the end of last year, the company Noeul staged its signature repertoire, "Exit the King" (written by Ionesco, directed by Oh Segon), at Yeonwoo Stage to mark its 20th anniversary. The Borderless Arts Center also celebrated its 20th anniversary by presenting a two-person play series. Following its representative work "A Certain Bet" (based on a Chekhov original, directed by Yoon Kihun) in December last year, the company staged a new work, "Missed Encounters" (written and directed by Yoon Kihun), at Mullae Space T in February, drawing enthusiastic responses from the audience.

Furthermore, Yeonwoo Stage celebrated its 50th anniversary by performing "Turkey Blues" and "Club Latin" (created and directed by Park Sunhee) at the Jayu Theater of the Seoul Arts Center, attracting a large number of middle-aged and older audience members. Mabangjin also marked its 20th anniversary by presenting its signature repertoire pieces "Cal Macbeth" and "King Lear: The Other Story" (both originally by Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Ko Seonwoong) at the National Theater's Haneul Theater, captivating audiences one after another.

As each theater troupe has its own unique characteristics and trajectory, the nature and scale of the performances, the audience demographics, and the features of the venues all differ. Nevertheless, audiences who come to the theater share the experience with each troupe, envisioning a future together.

To stage a single performance, many members of the troupe must devote significant time and effort. Having endured such hard work, troupes use these milestone anniversaries as an opportunity to reflect on their journey and seek new energy to move forward. After all, isn't theater itself the act of pausing the flow of life for a moment, looking back on oneself, and gaining renewed spirit and wisdom?

The origins of theater also stem from such moments of reflection. In 534 BC, in the month of March as spring arrived, the people of ancient Athens in Greece held the first theater competition during a festival in honor of Dionysus. Among the playwrights who presented three tragedies and one satyr play, the best writer was chosen—a process through which greats like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides emerged.

Sophocles was the playwright who won the most awards in this annual competition held every March. In "Oedipus Rex," he depicts a protagonist who, unaware of his true origins, ascends the throne of Thebes and even marries his own mother. As he investigates the murder of the former king to save the city from disaster, he ultimately discovers that he himself is both the murderer and the former king's son.

In Aristotle's "Poetics," the concept of "anagnorisis" (recognition) is highlighted as a core element of tragedy. This refers to revealing a hidden truth within the plot, but it also allows the audience to look back on themselves and experience their own "rediscovery."

Rather than collapsing under the weight of the shocking truth, Sophocles' Oedipus punishes himself, keeps his promise as king, and sets out on a solitary journey. Through this ending, the playwright shows the dignified future that "human beings" must pursue and live for. Amid such tragic twists, the audience reflects on themselves, releases inner tension, and experiences catharsis. At the same time, they gain new energy for their own dignified tomorrow.

Amidst the flood of various commemorative days, I hope that more people will visit the theater, if only briefly, to face themselves and gain the strength to move forward again.

Lee Hwa-won (President of the Korean Theatre Critics Association and Director of the Borderless Arts Center)

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