Landmark theater returns to heart of Seoul after three decades

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's landmark arthouse Myeongdong Theater
reopened in central Seoul on Friday, an emotional event for the country's veteran
actors and actresses who dominated the stage throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Aiming to restore the cultural reputation of Seoul's Myeongdong district --
considered the city's most commercialized neighborhood these days -- the South
Korean government purchased the cracked and aging building for 40 billion won
(about US$32 million) in 2004.
After a three-year renovation, the 552-seat Baroque style playhouse was
officially unveiled before a crowd of onlookers Friday. From the outside, the
five-story building resembles its original form 35 years ago. For "direct
communication" between actors and audiences, the theater has been designed with
seats arranged close to the stage, not exceeding 15 meters.
With the aim of restoring its past glory, Myeongdong Theater will present mainly
dramas and will focus on becoming a "production theater," running mostly in-house
productions, according to theater officials.
The opening performance will be "Maeng Jinsa's Happy Day," written by Oh
Young-jin and directed by Lee Byung-hoon, running from Friday through June 21.
Actor-turned-Culture Minister Yu In-chon will make a cameo appearance, ministry
officials said.
"We are hoping the reopening of the theater will provide an opportunity for
Myeongdong to retrieve its fame as a cultural hub," the ministry said in a press
release.
Built in 1934 during Japan's colonial rule of Korea, Myeongdong Theater, formerly
known as the National Theater of Korea, served as Korea's landmark theater until
it moved across town to Jangchungdong in 1973.
Serving as a mecca for artists and actors, countless operas, plays and concerts
were held at the theater, most notably "La Traviata" in 1948 and "Hamlet" in
1949. Under a more modern theme, the first Miss Korea competition opened there in
1957.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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