Doyoung Song does not recognise this version of Seoul—tumultuous, free and unafraid of authority. Having left the country years ago after the death of her son, she returns to a city that is significantly unfamiliar, and a difficult situation: her family’s business is on the verge of bankruptcy, and her family home, gifted to her by her grandfather, is in danger of being lost.

Helmed by highly acclaimed director Simon Stone, this reinterpretation of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard is set in modern-day Seoul, South Korea. In a time of rapid and brutal change, a Chaebol family struggles to adapt to a world that has moved on without them, suffocated by a rising middle class and wealthy self-made entrepreneurs. Generational tensions erupt, and caught between hope and despair, tradition and innovation, the family is forced to eventually confront the cost of inaction.

Equal parts tragedy and comedy, The Cherry Orchard was Chekhov's final play, and considered one of his masterpieces. This adaptation by Stone premiered in Jun 2024 and marked the return of actress Doyeon Jeon to the theatre stage after 27 years. Well-known for her roles in You Are My Sunshine (2005) and Secret Sunshine (2007), for which she was awarded Best Actress at the 60th Cannes Film Festival, Jeon brings her acting prowess to the role of protagonist Doyoung Song. She stars alongside actor Haesoo Park of Squid Game fame, and a stellar all-Korean ensemble cast. The story unfolds on a masterfully designed set by celebrated architectural designer Saul Kim.

An intimate, bittersweet portrait that is deeply South Korean and yet universally moving, this must-watch take on The Cherry Orchard is a timely reflection of loss, change and social transformation. After 30 sold-out shows at its Seoul premiere, don't miss the original cast live on stage in Singapore.

Cast

Doyeon Jeon

Haesoo Park

Sangkyu Son

Moon Choi

Jihye Lee

Yunho Nam

Byunghoon Yoo

Yurim Park

Sejun Lee

Juwon Lee

Creative Team

The Cherry Orchard by Simon Stone

After the original play by Anton Chekhov

Written and Directed by Simon Stone

Executive Producer: Tency H.J. Lee

Producer: Min K. Shin

Associate Creative Producer: Wouter Van Ransbeek

Associate Director: Hayoun Sim

Dramaturg & Script Translator: Danbi Yi

Set Designer: Saul Kim

Costume and Associate Set Designer: Mel Page

Lighting Designer: James Farncombe

Music and Sound Designer: Youngkyu Jang

Hair & Make-up Designer: Jiyoung Baek

Produced by LG Arts Center

Co-commissioned by Adelaide Festival

Premiered on 4 Jun 2024 at the LG SIGNATURE HALL, LG Arts Center SEOUL

Touring Team

Touring Producer: Ju Kim 

Technical Director: Kyoungjun Eo 

Tour Manager: Chloe Chung 

Assistant Director: Yumin Oh 

Stage Manager: Gyeonggeun Song 

Deputy Stage Manager: Eunjoo Hwang 

Head Carpenter: Hunseop Lee 

Set Builders: Byungro An, Dongjun Lee, Dongkyu Kim 

Lighting Supervisor: Hankyoung Ryu 

Lighting Practical: Junhyun Lee 

Sound Supervisor: Junseok Eom 

Sound Playback: Seongbeom Oh 

Sound RF: Wonshim Kim 

Costume Supervisor: Seree Cho 

Hair & Make-up: Yiyoon Lim, Eunhye Jo