[Herald Interview] ‘River and Liver’ flows via vacancy in humanity’s final days

On what would possibly as effectively be the world’s final day, L and O share beer on a sweltering, humid evening, speaking in regards to the finish of humanity.

Their neighbor is below quarantine, a mermaid has been noticed on the Han River, and a sinkhole has fashioned as the bottom collapses beneath their residence. Gazing into the abyss, the 2 joke about who would rescue them in the event that they fell in.

The scene is from “River and Liver,” the Nationwide Theater Firm of Korea’s surrealist darkish comedy taking part in at Myeongdong Theater till Saturday.

The play is about in what looks like humanity’s closing days, mixing darkish humor, melancholy and a contact of surrealism in what could possibly be a daring journey for the stage.

Written by award-winning playwright Dong I-hyang, the script emerged through the pandemic, a time when the fragility of on a regular basis life grew to become obviously apparent.

“In the course of the pandemic, it felt like each day life was stuffed with issues that might simply crumble, as if we have been residing in a tragicomedy,” stated Dong in a current interview with The Korea Herald.

The play, grounded in these pandemic reflections, captures the anxiousness and worry individuals grapple with in instances of uncertainty.

“I discovered myself pondering loads about time, notably how the ideas of the top, loss of life and even apocalypse had made their approach into our on a regular basis lives. For the primary time, I feel everybody shared a sense that the world might probably finish, which created a profound connection amongst humanity.”

For Dong, this shared expertise discovered its expression in fleeting moments of camaraderie — a joke, a caring look or a passing remark made within the context of collective dread.

“It was these trivial interactions that made me really feel how comparable all of us are.”

“River and Liver” follows L, a middle-aged lady, in her fragmented story of one other day within the impending doom — as her life disintegrates each actually and metaphorically. There’s her husband O, who seems to have discovered one other lady; The Boy, whom she meets for a second-hand commerce; and V, her old flame, who returns as a mermaid.

Director Lee In-soo, who introduced Dong’s script to life, interpreted L as an individual who questions.

“I noticed L as a type of consultant of humanity — strange however with the distinctive capability to query. She continually asks, ‘Why? Why do I harm? What’s flawed with me?’ These questions grew to become central to my interpretation of her.”

L’s unexplainable shoulder ache, a recurring theme within the play, is one thing Dong herself delves into.

“Once we expertise ache, we need to know its trigger. However what occurs when the trigger is unknown? L’s ache retains rising, making the current second really feel endlessly expanded, as if nothing else will be considered.”

Audiences used to conventional storylines might discover the play considerably difficult, however its disjointed scenes create a singular ambiance that depends extra on emotion than logic.

Whereas the play plunges the viewers right into a deep pit of despair with L, it’s also unexpectedly comedic, that includes rhythmic, ping-pong-like dialogue and absurd moments, such because the character’s makes an attempt to pursue a minimalist life-style whereas shopping for extra issues, or borrowing cash from a nurse when she can not afford surgical procedure.

Lee discovered the play’s humor important to balancing its darker components. “It’s a world that may appear unfamiliar, however for these residing in it, they slip via their absurdity like a slapstick routine. I hope audiences discover moments to giggle.”

“I consider it as a narrative about struggling,” Dong mirrored. “It’s about how these moments of ache will be delivered via laughter in order that the darkness can shine via.”