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
Explore Offstage
