Irish Play ‘Stones in His Pockets’ Countinues Run
By Alan Green
Contributing Writer
``Stones in His Pockets,'' the latest production from BH Productions, will be performed in Seoul, from April 22 through May 16 at Vin Vino, in Itaewon, and will then transfer to Busan for performances on May 21 and 22 at Ol' 55, Kyungsung University.
An internationally acclaimed play, the work was written by Belfast-born writer Marie Jones.
It was a hit in Dublin, enjoyed four successful years in the West End, a sensational run on Broadway and a sell-out world tour.
BH Productions is staging the play for the first time in Korea in English.
It won the Irish Times/ESB Award for Best Production in 1999, two Olivier Awards in 2001 and was also nominated for three Tony Awards in 2001.
It is a hilarious and irresistible two-man show about the filming of a Hollywood epic in rural Ireland.
Two extras in the movie, Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, tell the story themselves by taking on all the film's roles.
The comedy is set in a rural town in County Kerry, Ireland, that is overrun by a Hollywood film crew.
The story centers on Charlie and Jake, played by Ben Cowburn and Gef Somervell, respectively, and is directed by Bernard Hughes.
Like much of the town, the two men are employed as extras for the filming.
Much of the comedy of the play is derived from the efforts of the production crew to create the proper ``Irish feel,'' a romanticized notion that often conflicts with the reality of daily life.
The play calls upon the cast of two to perform all 15 characters (men and women), often switching gender and voice with swift dexterity and the absolute bare minimum of costume changes.
Formed in January of 2003, BH Productions is a not-for-profit production company based out of Seoul. Their first production was ``Cathleen ni Houlihan'' by W.B. Yeats, performed in March of that year.
Since then, the troupe has successfully staged a wide variety of plays, producing works by writers from all over the world.
They have also been invited to perform internationally, taking ``Waiting for Godot'' to the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and ``Hope Persistent Hope,'' a concept performance of various works by Samuel Beckett, to the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China.
``Stones in His Pockets'' will be the company's 11th production.
Vin Vino (formerly Kabinett) in Itaewon will be the Seoul venue for the play, whose run started on April 22 and continues in Seoul until May 16 ― tickets cost 16,000 won. The performance starts at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Fridays, and both 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, except for April 29 when there will be a charity gala performance at 6:30 p.m. To get to Vin Vino, take Exit 2 from Itaewon Station, and walk straight for about 200 meters, passing Hana Bank. Vin Vino is on the second floor located next to the IP Boutique Hotel.
On April 29th, BH Productions will host a reception, dinner and performance of the play in order to benefit Save the Children Korea. This charity has been working in Korea since 1953, providing free surgery for children with congenital diseases, subsidies for children in low-income families, child abuse prevention and treatment, and education of children's rights.
The evening will commence at 6:30 p.m. with a wine reception and buffet dinner, and will be honored with welcoming remarks from the Irish Ambassador to Korea Eamonn McKee.
The play will begin at 8:30 p.m. The event is priced at 60,000 won with all the proceeds going to Save the Children Korea.
The show will head to Busan on May 21 and 22 with performances at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on both days.
The play will be staged at Ol' 55, Kyungsung University Station, exit 3. Go out of Exit 3 and turn right at the IBK bank. Walk for about two minutes and Ol' 55 is on the right-hand side, under a Family Mart. Entrance is again priced at 16,000 won.
Reservations are recommended for the performances and can be made at
or to view the event flyer go to www.vinvino.co.kr. For more information on BH Productions, call 016-695-4624, but bookings for the show are by e-mail only.