Havel Returns to Stage With Leaving
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Vaclav Havel has led a dramatic life, serving as a leading figure of the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the non-violent revolution that overthrew the authoritarian government and the Czech President. Now the former President is coming back as a playwright with his latest work, "Leaving," after nearly two decades.
The play was regarded as one of the most important theatrical events in the European theatrical scene when it premiered in Prague in 2008, receiving a standing ovation.
Produced by Archa Theater from the Czech Republic, the play is directed by David Radok, a well-known opera director.
Havel's new work has received a lot of recognition not solely because he's returning after a 20-year hiatus, but also since the play portrays a powerful figure whose life becomes morose after he loses power. It's a close parallel to Havel's real life.
The play deals with the solitude that stems from power through the eyes of a man who once had everything only to see it vanish. The play darts back and forth between poignant and sarcastic tones.
The main character in the play is candidly and boldly portrayed as a feeble philanderer who's surrounded by his family and aides.
Inspired by Shakespeare's "King Lear" and Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard," the play proves that Havel is still capable of creating an excellent absurdist drama.
Havel uses his recorded voice throughout the show to comment on certain situations.
His theatrical comeback, however, was not easy to make. "I was a writer whose works were not allowed to be published for 20 years and lived the dramatist-turned-president over the last 20 years. I couldn't concentrate on writing a play and many things changed, and I also changed over the last 20 years," he was quoted as saying in the press release.
He survived liver cancer in 1994 but has since suffered from poor health, which prevented him from writing.
He was born into a well-to-do family in 1936 in Prague. The success of "The Garden Party" (1963) at the age of 24 placed him on the map in the Eastern European country.
Around the same time, he presented the works "The Memorandum" and "The Increased Difficulty of Concentration," while leading democratic and human rights advocate movements.
"Leaving" also will be produced as a film, which will be directed by Havel.
The play will be staged in Czech with Korean subtitles from April 2 to 4 at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.