Seoul Shakespeare Company stages 'Romeo and Juliet'

Muireann Ní Raghallaigh as Juliet, right, and Sungjin Cho as Romeo / Courtesy of Bret Lindquist

Romeo and Juliet are fiction's most famous lovers, the title characters of what may be Shakespeare's most famous play. Almost everyone knows their broad outlines of their story. However, many have never seen it performed and, if they live in Seoul, won't get a lot of chances to see it in English.

Jason Cutler, director of Seoul Shakespeare Company's upcoming production of "Romeo and Juliet," is aware of the pressure this puts on the troupe. "We have a responsibility to [the audience]," he told The Korea Times.

This production took pains to stay true to the original text but still may surprise some theatergoers, Cutler says. "Our goal from the outset has been to perform OUR Romeo and Juliet," he said. He added that while they aim to make the play relatable to modern theatergoers, they are not seeking to "remedy" aspects that seem discordant.

Insook Bang as Balthasar and Vidushi Singh Baghel as Abram / Courtesy of Bret Lindquist

Indeed, it's possible that modern sentiments, tending to sympathize with the young lovers, may be the opposite of the play's original audience, who would most likely have sided with their parents. Such differing interpretations add to the challenging nature of staging "Romeo and Juliet."

Jamie Horan as Mercutio, left, Sungjin Cho as Romeo, middle, and Charles Jeong as Tybalt / Courtesy of Bret Lindquist

Speaking on the odd nature of the piece, which begins as a comedy but ends tragically, Cutler states that finding "a balance of lightheartedness and pathos" was a challenge. Add to this the more outlandish elements of the plot, including public sword fights and sleeping potions, and the play as a whole can be difficult to categorize, let alone produce for an audience. "Shakespeare is not realism or melodrama: it is in a category of its own," he said.

Sungjin Cho as Romeo / Courtesy of Bret Lindquist

He added that the production is a labor of love for those involved. Seoul Shakespeare Company is a nonprofit company.

"We do this, all of us do this, because we love to do it," Cutler said.

The director is effusive about his love for the Bard. "Every time I participate in performing or producing Shakespeare, I feel that I grow and learn more about what it means to be human," he said.

He believes this edification extends to those who come to watch. "Watching a good production of Shakespeare is a fine meal served only once in a lifetime," he said.

Muireann Ní Raghallaigh as Juliet, left, and Sungjin Cho as Romeo / Courtesy of Bret Lindquist

Seoul Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet will be performing at Yeonhee Art Space in western Seoul's Yeonhui-dong.

There will be performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays May 24, May 31 and June 7th, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays May 25, June 1 and June 8.

Tickets are 25,000 won or 20,000 won for the first performance, and can be bought ahead of time through Naver, reserved via Google form or bought on the day at the door. Visit seoulshakespearecompany.org for more information or to buy tickets.

A poster for Seoul Shakespeare Company's production of "Romeo and Juliet" / Courtesy of Seoul Shakespeare Company

Rory Kelly is a writer, actor, improviser and stand-up comedian based in Seoul. He's also often spotted not quite winning pub quizzes in the Itaewon area.