To convey the unique charm of the play ‘Shakespeare in Love,’ actors from Lee Gyu-hyung to Kim Hyang-gi gathered together.
On the afternoon of the 9th, a press conference for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ was held at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center, Seocho-gu. Attending the event were producer Song Han-sam and actors Lee Gyu-hyung, Son Woo-hyun, Lee Sang-yi, Ong Seong-woo, Lee Joo-young, Park Joo-hyun, Kim Hyang-gi, and Lim Cheol-hyung.
The play ‘Shakespeare in Love’ is based on the film of the same name, which won 7 Academy Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and 4 BAFTA Awards. It starts from the delightful imagination that ‘Romeo and Juliet’ originated from Shakespeare's love. Set in 16th century London, the story unfolds as a young playwright in a slump begins to write again after meeting the noblewoman Viola de Lesseps.
Regarding the return of ‘Shakespeare in Love’ after its Korean premiere in 2023, producer Song Han-sam stated, “Thanks to the love we received, we are back after two years. Not everyone is here today, but we have returned with a production that is on par with the premiere, along with many actors.”
Emphasizing that “the stage has a beauty that movies and dramas cannot provide,” producer Song stated, “Our play is very dynamic. The actors pour out so much energy that you can smell the salt. The choreography, lighting, and stage design are so musical that they keep the audience engaged without losing tension. Unlike OTT and movies, theater requires the audience to watch for three hours. I believe the direction and elements that prevent boredom, along with the charm of live performance, will convey a different appeal than films.”
Lee Gyu-hyung, Son Woo-hyun, Lee Sang-yi, and Ong Seong-woo play the role of the aspiring writer Will Shakespeare, who wants to regain his lost artistic inspiration and talent through his muse. Lee Joo-young, Park Joo-hyun, and Kim Hyang-gi are cast as Viola de Lesseps, Shakespeare's love interest and the daughter of a wealthy merchant, who strives to fulfill her dream of becoming an actress, which was taboo for women at the time. Additionally, many actors who have proven their acting skills across various genres, including screen, television, and stage, have joined the cast.
Lee Gyu-hyung shared his unique acting charm, saying, “The direction I pursue in acting is to perform wittily in works where comedy is allowed. Of course, I try to distinguish when I should and shouldn’t do that, and thankfully, there are directors who appreciate that. My strength is being witty when it’s supposed to be witty and serious when it’s serious. Above all, I have been doing theater since high school, so I feel comfortable on stage and in the audience, which allows me to enjoy it.”
Lee Sang-yi, who is returning to the stage after the premiere, emphasized, “My charm is energy and momentum. There are times when I feel nervous and want to hide, but despite that, my desire to perform and the energy to overcome obstacles are my strengths.” Son Woo-hyun, who dreamed of appearing in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ after seeing Lee Sang-yi's performance during the premiere, confessed, “I try to incorporate myself into my acting. I believe that’s how my version of Shakespeare comes out. While Shakespeare is a great playwright, he is also human and experiences various emotions. I wanted to express the human side of the great playwright, including his jealousy, insecurities, and both cute and cool aspects, in my own way.”
Ong Seong-woo, a former member of the group Wanna One and now an actor, is challenging the theater stage for the first time through ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ He described the charm of the Will Shakespeare he portrays, saying, “I found the imperfect, shaky, and youthful aspects of Will to be attractive. In reality, I also feel anxious, worried, and scared while working on this piece. I want to reflect and project those feelings onto Will.”
Kim Hyang-gi and Park Joo-hyun are also making their theater debuts through ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ Kim Hyang-gi mentioned, “There are many scenes where Viola reads letters written by Will. Personally, I found it appealing to be able to express the text in Korean. While acting with my seniors, we discussed how to make it feel natural. I hope the audience can fully appreciate the charm that the play offers rather than feeling burdened by the greatness of the poetry or words.”
She further explained her acting focus, saying, “I believe there is growth in Viola between Act 1 and Act 2. In Act 1, I want to show the image of a girl in love, while in Act 2, I want to depict her gradual maturation. I hope that aspect is well captured in my performance.”
Park Joo-hyun stated, “I think my acting is characterized by momentum. I tend to be relaxed, and because I have practiced a lot, I have the confidence to stand on stage, which is my strength.” Another Viola, Lee Joo-young, remarked, “Viola is a fictional character. I felt joy in showing various aspects of her on stage. The play has comedic elements and is fun, so I am eager to perform those scenes. I am working hard to show the audience a witty and comedic side.”
The role of ‘Penny Man,’ an investor who participates in the production of the play after lending a large sum of money to the owner of the Rose Theater, Henslow, will be reprised by Song Young-kyu and Lim Cheol-hyung after the premiere. Lim Cheol-hyung, who is returning to the stage again after the premiere, shared, “It’s not easy to encounter a good piece, but I think ‘Shakespeare in Love’ is a work I would like to perform even as I get older. I hope many people around me get to see it.”
The directing team of Kim Dong-yeon, who received acclaim for the premiere, along with co-director and choreographer Song Hee-jin and music director Ji Hye, have come together again. They are joined by stage designer Park Sang-bong, who has received praise for creating a stage that feels like the London theater scene, lighting designer Choi Bo-yoon, who enhanced the immersion of the work with intricate sensibilities, costume designer Do Yeon, who captured both the era and characters, prop designer Kim Hye-ji, who elevated the quality with delicate details, and action director Seo Jeong-joo, who added dynamism to the piece, to present an even more solid stage.
Meanwhile, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ will be performed at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center until September 14.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]…
