Hemingway’s Classic Novella Reimagined as Pansori
Jaram Lee, an irreplaceable artist

who has become a genre unto herself through her interdisciplinary endeavors as a vocalist, actress, musician, and writer, returns to her roots as a pansori singer.

She has reinterpreted Ernest Hemingway’s international bestseller, The Old Man and the Sea,

with her distinctive language and sensibility, and transformed it into a pansori performance.

Lee’s voice, which encompasses all the joys, sorrows, anger, and pleasures of life, will fill the Myeongdong Theater with a profound resonance,

offering a deeply moving experience that goes beyond the text. 

A Feast of Voice and Drum Sounds Crafted by a Masterful Creative Team
The Old Man and the Sea has captivated audiences since its premiere at the Doosan Art Center in 2019,

followed by performances at the LG Arts Center and London’s Southbank Centre.

This production features master drummer Park Geun-young, a certified master of Pansori Jeokbyeokga,

who is also an adjunct professor at the Korea National University of Arts School of Korean Traditional Arts.

Directed by Park Ji-hye, winner of the Dong-A Theater Award for Best New Director, and with stage design by scenographer Yeo Shin-dong,

the show presents a high level of artistry.

Finally coming to the Myeongdong Theater, The Old Man and the Sea offers audiences an overwhelming and majestic experience like an ocean,

using the most perfect and purest instrument of all: the human voice.

Synopsis
The protagonist is an old fisherman who lives in the small village of Cojímar, Cuba.

He was once known for his ability to catch big fish, having spent his entire life fishing in the open sea with his fishing pole and line.

However, his luck seems to have run out, as he hasn’t caught anything in a long time.

On his 85th day at sea, a large marlin finally bites his line.

What ensues is a fierce battle between the old man holding the line on the surface and the powerful marlin deep in the ocean.

2024 Special Invitational Program Picknic

The 2024 Special Invitational Program Picknic is designed to bring exceptional productions by private theater companies to a wider audience, fostering mutual growth and revitalizing the theater community.

Through this partnership with private theater companies,

we seek to fulfill our mission as a national arts organization while providing the public with access to outstanding performances that enhance and expand their theatrical experience.

The name of the program, Picknic, is a blend of the words “pick,” representing the selection made by the National Theater Company of Korea,

and “picnic,” suggesting a fun and enjoyable outing to the theater.

Starting in the summer of 2024, this initiative will continue for the next three years, engaging audiences during both the summer and winter seasons.