The National Theater Company of Korea presents The Winter’s Tale as the first production to commemorate the 400 years of legacy since the death of the Bard, William Shakespeare.

Hungarian director, Robert Alfoldi, known for his innovative and experimental theater in his own country, works in collaboration with the National Theater Company of Korea to stage William Shakespeare’s play, The Winter’s Tale to celebrate the 400 years of legacy of the greatest playwright of the English language. Appointed as the youngest artistic director of the Hungarian National Theater in 2008, Robert Alfoldi led the theater company for five years with one innovative production after another which received standing ovations from audiences.

The Winter’s Tale traverses the genre of comedy and tragedy as it weaves its story of love and jealousy, and added to that are Alfoldi’s groundbreaking interpretation of the play and the stunning stage design by Park Dong-woo. The production also includes young but talented actors: Son Sang-Kyu, Woo Jung-won, Park Wan-kyu just to mention a few. Reinterpreted meticulously with a modern perspective, The Winter’s Tale will become an important production in understanding its writer, William Shakespeare.

The Winter’s Tale, a story of tragedy begotten from a trivial misunderstanding ends with love and forgiveness

Labeled as one of Shakespeare’s late romances, The Winter’s Tale was written as Shakespeare himself began approaching the end of his career, and therefore, it was written with his insight into life and his imagination which became seasoned with age and wisdom. The story of The Winter’s Tale weaves together a love story reminiscent of Romero and Juliet and blind jealousy of Othello. The story begins with the unreasonable jealousy of a king who doubts the fidelity of his wife which spirals into the tragic death of his own son and banishment of his newborn daughter. The ending of the play, however, brings the magic of reconciliation and forgiveness as if to melt away the cold hearted winter, or in the words of Mamillius, “A sad tale's best for winter,” for winter is the season of forgiveness.

Synopsis

Leontes is the king of Sicilia, and he mistakenly believes that his wife, Queen Hermione, has fallen in love with his friend, Polixenes, who is the king of Bohemia. Blinded by his mad jealousy, he throws his wife in prison and banishes his newborn baby daughter. The word of the Oracle claims the innocence of Hermione; however, the news of her death is delivered to Leontes who is now repentant and heartbroken. Perdita, the banished daughter of Hermione and Leontes, is discovered and raised by a shepherd, and she falls in love with Prince Florizel, the son of Polixenes. 

By William Shakespeare

Considered as the greatest playwright, William Shakespeare was one of the most important writers in English language, who was given a special epithet, the Bard. Since the eighteen century, Shakespeare Studies became an independent study in humanities in England with its own theory and criticisms, and many actors made their debut by playing a role in Shakespearean plays. The Winter’s Tale has not been often staged in Korea, but as one of Shakespeare’s late romances, the play has the power to make its audiences sympathize with its characters while also prompting them to contemplate on the essence of life.

Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Adaptation & Direction Robert Alfoldi

Robert Alfoldi became the youngest artistic director of the Hungarian National Theater in 2008, and since then, he was able to turn the Hungarian National Theater from the least popular theater in Hungary to the most loved theater. He began his career in theater as an actor, but he made his debut as a director with the hugely successful production of Tristan and Isolde. He has directed more than fifty productions in a variety of genres including operas, musicals and puppetry.

Director: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Marriage of Figaro, Tempest  
Actor: Richard Ⅲ, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Crime and Punishment, The Marriage of Figaro

Cast

Park Yun-hee, Kim Su-Jin, Lee Jong-moo, Park Wan-kyu, Son Sang-Kyu, Park Ji-a, Hwang Seong-dae, You Young-wook, Kim Do-wan, Kim Shin-rock, Hwang Sun-Hwa, Woo Jung-won, Na Seok-min, Jung Hyun-hee, Ahn Byung-chan, Kim Dong-hoon, Shin Sa-rang, Bea Kang-you

Playwright : William Shakespeare
Adaptation & Direction : Robert Alfoldi
Translator Interpreter : Urban Alexandra Eszter
Embellishment : Lee Kyung-Hoo
Stage Designer : Park Dong-woo
Lighting Designer : Kim Chang-key
Costume Designer : Kim Ji-yeon
Music : Park So-yeon
Make-up Designer : Baek Ji-young
Prop Designer : Kim Sang-Hee
Sound Designer : Yoo Ok-seon
Stage Manager : Koo Min-cheol
Assistant Director : Shin Yong-han
Assistant Director : Choi Bong-mun