'TYA research centre is communicating with audiences in new ways and asking a range of questions to our society and contemporary theatre'
Before arriving in Seoul I painted an image that when I would be able to attend and witness first-hand the way things are run at the NTCK research centre. I assumed it would be very different indeed. Which was only a thought, because the truth is that what I saw on a Wednesday evening, in the barracks of the theatre, was in that studio, whilst being surrounded by a different culture, a different language, two nationalities in the same community space, it was in fact just the same. It mirrored exactly what I have experienced back in the UK. I question myself now, how could I think it would be different? The drama was in the room, a usual warm up game was played called ‘cat and mouse’ (you might be familiar with this one) but instead the Koreans play the game by starting each round with 1,2,3 “MEOW” with the rest being the cat chasing the mouse. These teenagers who attend the research sessions are those likely wanting to gain confidence, perform theatre, make new friends and learn something new about the society they live in. This is all because they love theatre so much. It was a pleasure to see and, even though we are from two countries who are miles and miles apart from each other, the joy of 극장 (Theatre) remain. We will always have the same relationship with it, even though our mother tongues articulate it differently.
The young people entered one by one through the creaking of the glass, rehearsal door. The voices were friendly and welcoming as they were greeting each other, that familiarity that emerges when one meets another on a weekly, monthly or even daily basis. The Greetings of 여보세요 where we say Hello and 잘 지냈어요? the curious question of How are you? Of course first: shoes off before coming into a circle. Everyone in socks and bare feet as both cultures meet in the middle ready for an introduction from the head of the group Mijeoung, followed by Peter, director of ‘Orange Polar Bear’. I was very keen to see how these introductions would be work, of course there was no concern at all about the language barrier because just like in rehearsals for the play, we muddle through and everyone is very respectful and understanding of each other. So in fact it was just natural. And from hearing the young girl who interpreted most of the other young person’s introductions about themselves and what they do over here. It was fascinating to hear and even more so, in the rhythmic sound of the Korean language. Next, the actors of the play then introduced themselves, telling their ages. I discovered there and then that it is different in Korea. In fact, in Korean you are one year older than you actually are, and if you meet somebody they only need to know the year you’re were born to know if your ancient or not. Which today makes me 24 instead of 23. Another day, another number.
I was eager to know more about what the group does at the National Theatre. And to my amazement what came next was the group treating us to an isight into research work in Seoul. Through the style of performance the room turned into a Korean classroom, hypothetically of course. So imagine the setting rehearsals blocks spreading across the space, to represent the oak, yet so simple classroom tables. The actors pretending to be different people of the school. From the headteacher to the pupil. And the entertaining and mixed atmosphere shown through the scenes, to give the the Orange Polar Bear team a sense into what it is like to be a school teenager, just like characters in the play. I really enjoyed watching the scenes which the young people performed, I could tell that a lot research and personal experiences had gone into their work. Especially being that they devised this work collaboratively all by themselves, as a group. Again this was a pleasure to be in room to see.
As the audience watched to the end, the audience being teachers from Seoul, cast and creatives of Orange Polar Bear, colleagues from the NTCK and of course myself. The teenagers finished off my a numerous round of comedic and entertaining bows. Which was an added effect to what we had to just seen them do. We applaud and they sat down, whilst the actors stood to there feet and got ready show a 'rehearsal showing' of the play. Which is what the night was mainly all about.
The showing had come to stop, I believe we reached Scene 8 of the play which was as far as the actors and director felt comfortable and prepared to show. We then as a room filled with faces came back together in the rest formation, of a circle. It was time for both parties to feedback on this evening entreatment. And I, as I so had been doing throughout the evening went live with our Instagram account (which you can follow right now @orangepolar_bear) to show and give credit to two cultures, two languages and two different set of acting teams feeding back their opinions, questions and there thoughts. Which included,
"We really enjoyed the character relationships" - TYA Teen
"Can you understand the British meanings and what we are saying through the acting" - OPB Actor
"We can see the Korean classroom really showing through the drama on stage" - TYA Teen
"What is like to be teenager in Seoul?" - OPB Actor
"I really was touched from relationship of the Father and Daughter, it made think about my relationship with my dad" - TYA Teen
As the post discussion came to a close. We all began to say out goodbyes. The usual reversed greeting of 만나서 반갑습니다 which is nice to meet you in Korean. I have got to say even if I've mentioned it already tonight. I felt so lucky to be a face in that room. Even though I am as introduced "the man behind the camera" I felt fortunate to meet such new, vibrant and young fresh voices to theatre. It made it strong that no matter where, when or who with. Friendships can be made through with the slightest kick of drama. We said goodbye, most people grabbed what was left on the rehearsal snack table. I grabbed a Korean toffee. Whilst bowing and smiling to the teenagers as I walked out of the creaking, rehearsal room door.
Annyeong. Bye.
Catch Orange Polar Bear at the National Theatre Company of Korea: 11th-21st October and The Birmingham Rep: 1st-10th November.
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