[On Stage] Relationships Bloom from Abandonment in "Orphans"

The United States is a country with an especially large number of narratives involving orphans. Analysts suggest this is rooted in the nation’s origins as a country built by immigrants rather than inherited from ancestors, and in the pioneering spirit of creating something out of nothing. Iconic American heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man are typically depicted as individuals who overcome adversity without parents.

True to its title, the play "Orphans" deals with the story of orphans. There are three characters: the brothers Treat and Phillip, and Harold, a middle-aged man who is kidnapped and brought to their home.

Treat is a pickpocket. He steals to support Phillip. Phillip is under his older brother Treat’s extreme protection. He never leaves the house, sincerely believing his brother’s warning that the outside air could trigger a deadly allergy. The brothers, lacking parents and therefore unsocialized, behave in a pure but unrestrained way; their exaggerated actions and conversations throughout the play provide continuous humor.

Scene from the play 'Orphans'. Red and Blue

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Harold, drunk, is kidnapped by Phillip and brought into the brothers’ home. Although Harold has since become wealthy, he too was once an orphan who survived his childhood as a newspaper boy. Seeing the brothers reminds Harold of his own youth, and he decides to protect them as a parent would. As Harold stays with the brothers, teaching them the norms of society and forming a family together, the play leaves a lasting impression.

Written by American playwright Lyle Kessler, "Orphans" is a long-standing work that premiered in Los Angeles (LA) in 1983. However, the lively rhythm that runs throughout the play keeps it from feeling dated. The comfort and encouragement Harold offers the brothers resonate with contemporary audiences, portraying him as an "adult" figure who is always needed, transcending the times.

"Orphans" also brings to mind the musical "Annie," which tells the story of an orphan girl from a similar era. "Annie" debuted on Broadway in 1976 and achieved both critical and box office success, sweeping seven Tony Awards the following year. In 1982, it was adapted into a Hollywood film.

Although "Orphans" and "Annie" were created around the same time, their historical settings differ. "Annie" is set during the Great Depression in the 1930s, a time when families were breaking apart and orphans were abundant. In contrast, "Orphans" is set around 1980. While not as extreme as the Great Depression, this period was still marked by instability.

Performance scene of the play 'Orphans.' Red and Blue

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After the Great Depression and World War II, the U.S. economy experienced unprecedented prosperity. However, in the 1970s, the oil shock led to stagflation, a crisis in which inflation and economic stagnation occurred simultaneously. This crisis prompted a shift in government policy. When Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, his administration pursued market-centered neoliberal policies, implementing welfare cutbacks and tax reductions to reduce the government’s role, based on the belief that government spending fueled inflation.

Through the story of orphans marginalized from society’s protection, "Orphans" delivers a cynical reflection of the unstable social atmosphere of its time.

Director Kim Taehyung commented, "'Orphans' is the story of people who are incredibly bizarrely isolated. It’s a work that resonates with people who long for someone’s comfort and encouragement and who want to be recognized as good enough." He added, "It also explores how we view the marginalized and vulnerable who cannot keep up with social order."

"Orphans" debuted in London’s West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 2013. In Korea, it premiered in 2017, and this is its fourth season. The play will be performed at Daehakro TOM Hall 1 until May 31.

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