'The Pride' counterpoints sexual minority in 1950s and 2010s
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“The Pride” which contrasts the life of sexual minorities in 1958.
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Human rights of sexual minorities have been improved greatly in Korea, but they still fight social prejudice against them. More plays and musicals are bringing them center stage, reflecting the change of attitude towards them.
The Korean premiere of "The Pride," a play about love triangle, history of homosexuals and the ultimate journey in search of one's identity, is one of them.
The 2008 British play by Alexi Kaye Campbell explores the cultures of repression and openness through a clever structure alternating between the two eras ― in 1958 and in 2014. It juxtaposes the 1950s when homosexuality was considered a disease with the 21th century when gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have their own festival, but still are discriminated.
The play begins in a scene in the 1958 when uptight estate agent Philip meets children's book writer Oliver for the first time. Sylvia, Philip's wife who illustrates Oliver's book, introduces each other and feels "something" happening during the important night for the three as if she predicts Philip and Oliver’s affair.
Then the next scene jumps to the year 2014, when Oliver is a sex-addicted journalist who recently broke up with his lover Philip, who is a photographer traveling around the world. Heartbroken Oliver is solaced by his best friend Sylvia, a straight actress openly supporting her gay friends.
“The Pride” which contrasts the life of sexual minorities in 2014. / Courtesy of The Best Play
The play continues to weave characters and lay the history between the two totally different eras until they reach Gay Pride Parade, a festival celebrating LGBT people, in 2014. Well-crafted script hints the soul of the same-name characters ― played by the same actors ― in the 1958 and 2014 are connected and describes how they endeavor to find their true identity.
The fourth actor ― who takes on the roles of a call-boy in Nazi costume and an editor of a gay magazine in 2014 and a doctor performing aversion therapy in the ‘50s ― peppers the serious yet sensitive play with some humor.
The play maintains a delicate balance between the repressive 1950s and more liberal present day. Director Kim Dong-yeon skillfully crafts the pain and confusion of the closeted gay lovers in the '50s that later bloom as the pride of a gay couple and their sincere friend.
“The Pride” outwardly tells a tale of sexual minority then and now, but it can be exchanged for slavery or women’s rights. The play suggests the world has become more tolerant and embracing, but also indicates that the history of change initiates from discovering one’s true identity.
Lee Myong-haeng alternates Philip with Jung Sang-yoon; Daniel Park and singer-turned-actor Oh Jong-hyuk play Oliver; Kim So-jin and Kim Ji-hyun play Sylvia; and Kim Jong-goo and Choi Dae-hun play the Man.
Play "The Pride" runs through Nov. 9 at Art One Theater in Daehangno, Seoul's theater district. Tickets cost from 35,000 to 50,000 won. This play is for 18 and over. For more information, call (02) 766-6007.