Liberation Day Play "Theatre Runs!"... Seoul and Central Asia Three-Country Tour

Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture to Premiere at Daehangno Theatre Quad Next Month
Performances to Follow in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan

The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture will premiere the special Liberation Day commemorative play, "Theatre Runs!", for about two weeks starting August 13. After wrapping up performances in Seoul, the play will go on tour in three Central Asian countries: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

This production is based on the true story of the Koryo Theatre, which was founded in 1932 and has a 94-year history. It tells the story of 13 Korean troupe members who became itinerant performers. Against the backdrop of Russian Primorsky Krai’s Sinhan Village and present-day Seoul, it highlights the meaning of artistry through the lives of those who, despite forced relocations, severe cold, hunger, and the sorrow of losing their homeland, never gave up on art.

Last year, the foundation successfully concluded the Seoul and Central Asia tour of its special production, "Train No. 37", marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation. The performance paid tribute to the Koryo-saram who preserved their language and culture despite the history of forced relocation, and expressed their yearning for liberation.

This year marks the second tour, and it has expanded in scale to include performances in three Central Asian countries, starting in Seoul and reaching Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The play will premiere at Daehangno Theatre Quad on August 13 and 14, then continue its tour at Totoqul Satylganov National Philharmonic in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the 19th, the Korean House of Culture and Arts in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the 23rd, and the Kalybek Kuanyshbayev Kazakh National Musical and Drama Theatre in Astana, Kazakhstan on the 27th.

This is the first time that a work by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture will be performed at the National Theatre in Astana, Kazakhstan, a sister city of Seoul. The performances in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are also expected to serve as a bridge for expanding cultural exchanges between Seoul and cities in Central Asia in the future.

Cast group photo of the Liberation Day commemorative play, The Theater Runs! Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, (c) Daehak-ro Theater Quod, Photo by Taeyang Park

"Theatre Runs!" is directed by Byun Youngjin, head of the theater company "Chariots of Fire" and winner of this year’s 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards Young Theatre Artist Prize. The play is written by Oh Sehyuk, who has written stage works such as "Press Guidelines", "Rookie Assemblyman", and "Kingdom of Old Boys", and directed musicals including "Me, Natasha, and the White Donkey" and "Rachmaninov".

This year’s performance features actor Issasha, an overseas Korean residing in Uzbekistan and fourth-generation Koryo-saram, who will bring her own diaspora experience and voice to the stage alongside Korean actors.

President Song Hyeongjong of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture said, "'Theatre Runs!' not only tells the story of the Koryo-saram diaspora—a part of the Korean nation—but also explores the history and coexistence of the multi-ethnic communities of Central Asia. By shedding light on the 'theatre' as a symbol of hope that transcends eras and borders, we hope this performance serves as the starting point for deepening international cooperation and cultural diplomacy between Seoul and Central Asia."

More information is available on the Daehangno Theatre Quad website and on NolTicket.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.