Backstage Drama: 'The Dresser' Opens in Seoul Amid Wartime Story
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
The play 'The Dresser' opened Dec. 27 at the National Theater of Korea's Daloreum Theater in Seoul. Set in 1942 during World War II, Ronald Harwood’s acclaimed drama follows a regional British troupe preparing Shakespeare’s King Lear while coping with air raids and a leading actor’s deteriorating behavior. Veteran actor Jeong Dong-hwan (76) drew praise for portraying the proud onstage, fragile offstage 'Teacher', while Oh Man-seok (50) was noted for his layered performance as Norman, the devoted dresser. The production highlights backstage life: the staff’s devotion, actors’ tensions, and the transformation of the set from dressing rooms to the Lear stage, offering audiences the rare perspective of theatre-making. Some viewers were startled by a sudden simulated German bombing scene with loud explosions and flashes (warning or notice recommended). The show runs through March 1 next year; audiences can compare double-cast performances on different dates.
