“Fresh and airy words of growth.” -bombi***

An Odyssey for teenagers living in this age

Orange Polar Bear, which premiered with an all-Korean cast and received critical acclaim in 2016, is returning again to break the ice of the North Pole. Thanks to the presence of Korean and British actors on the stage, the performance becomes even more intense as the Korean and English characters co-exist, and interact. Trapped on the ice, two teenagers full of youthful angst and instinctual vigor are about to embark on a new journey to find their coordinates. “OK. Let’s vanish, together.”

The DOOR, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
01 Nov 2018 - 10 Nov 18
BOOK NOW

Synopsis

A boy is all alone in a flat somewhere in England. He immigrated to England with his mother, and because his mother works day and night to make a living, the boy is always alone. A girl is all alone at a flat somewhere in Korea. Her mother left the family, and now the girl lives with her grandmother. The girl is always alone. While floating like two melting icebergs in the icy water, the two meet and realize they are alike. When things get out of hand, they realize they have been stranded somewhere in life, but in each other’s stories perhaps they can find a way to safety.

Writers: Ko Sun-duck and Evan Placey

Ko Sun-duck

Majored in children’s theater at Korea National University of Arts, and made her debut in 2004 with Gameunjang-agi. Ko is known for mingling genuine traditional Korean sentiments and cultural aspects with plays for children. She has written a number of musicals and dramas based on Korean culture. She tells stories of young people in a kind and delicate manner.

Major Works

Gameunjang-agi, A Secret Friend of Mine, Euratchacha Arirang, Ddareungyi in a Country Village

Awards:

2003, 2004: Won the award for best playwriting at the Seoul Children’s Theater Awards

Career

2008: Participated in the ASSITEJ World Congress Writers Slam as the representative of new Korean writers

Evan Placey

Evan Placey is a Canadian writer, based in London.  He is one of the most prominent playwrights for young people’s theater in the UK and North America. In an article he contributed to the Guardian, he said, “We need plays for young people, to ask the questions that no one else is asking.” Throughout his work, he seeks commonalities between himself and young people, being that both are outsiders of mainstream society, a keen and deep understanding of youth is always present.

Major Works

National Theatre Connections  - Pronoun

Birmingham Repertory Theatre  Girls Like That, Mother of Him, Consensual.

Director Peter Wynne-Willson

Peter Wynne-Willson is a veteran British director who has worked for 37 years in the field of the theatre for young people. He founded the Big Brum Theatre-in-Education Company in 1982, and worked as Artistic Director for ten years. He has also written more than 40 plays for children and worked widely as a teacher and performer.  With his company, Hanyong, he has directed several joint productions between Korea and the UK, including The Bridge, and the plays were critically acclaimed at the ASSITEJ festival in Korea and the World Congress in Adelaide, Australia.

Major Works

Heads or Tails, Roy, Walking Shadow, Nori, The Bridge, Looking for Yoghurt.

Career

Visiting Professor of Theatre-in-Education, Korean National University of the Arts, [1999-2005] Currently Course Director of Applied Theatre at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University.

Present: Artistic Director of Hanyong Theatre