Blending traditional Korean theatrical elements with modern performance styles, this is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss and what it means to be family. Presented partly in English and mostly in Korean with English subtitles projected onto the black background, the Jeju dialect translation features some use of Scots which really helps to emphasise the different dialect Jeju has. Guided by a Dokkaebi, a mischievous Korean goblin, we follow the journey of So-Dam who is coming back to Jeju Island to visit her beloved late Grandmother’s home before it is sold. So-Dam had felt disconnected from her father for years, so the visit is challenging on many levels.
The imagery within the show is evocative: early in the show after So-Dam visits her psychiatrist, the leaves of her journal float like snow onto the stage. These pages are then cleverly re-arranged into the outline of her grandmother’s house, a lovely visual representation of space and place. The Dokkaebi helps us make sound effects to highlight key moments in the story, bringing the audience into the action. As he jumps through walls, he becomes visible to the onstage cast and shows them their past to help heal their present.
The acting is strong from the whole cast, and the vocal volume is pitch perfect. The direction is skilful in the use of different performance elements and the full use of space, making this a stylised show which works very well with the storyline. While the projected subtitles are a little glitchy and are sometimes hard to read, there is enough in the on-stage performance to grasp what is happening. The last moments of the show bring a gasp from the whole audience and are worth the ticket price alone to see, a fitting metaphorical ending for this poignant production.
Show Time: 24 Aug @ 13:05
C Aquila
Ticket Prices: £9-£13
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jeju
Venue accessibility: Accessible entry: Stair-lift with folding seat from ground floor foyer (requires transfer from wheelchair to stair-lift chair at ground level, transfer from one stair-lift chair to another at first floor level, second stair lift stair-lift with folding seat from first floor to second floor, then transfer back to wheelchair at second floor). Staff can carry an unoccupied small or folding manual wheelchair up the stairs while the wheelchair user uses the seated stair lift. Electric wheelchairs, heavy wheelchairs and bulky wheelchairs cannot be carried upstairs. If not taking the stair lift the space is accessed by two half flights and one full flight of stairs. Stairs: 20+. Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
Age suitability: 8+. Babes in arms policy: babies do not require a ticket. Policy applies to: children under 2 years.