This yr’s 10-Minute Play Pageant is seeking to differentiate itself from its 11 predecessors.
The theatrical occasion, a mainstay of the English language theater scene in Seoul, returns this month, though with some departures from earlier years.
This yr, the competition acquired a report variety of scripts from around the globe when it started its open name. “We had a excessive of 395 performs submitted in 2019. This yr we had over 500 performs within the first two weeks,” Lorne Oliver, who’s each producing and appearing within the competition, informed The Korea Instances. “We needed to shut down submissions on condition that intense quantity.”
After all, such curiosity within the competition is welcomed, however it additionally creates way more work for these concerned in bringing the performs to life. Brian Petersen, the inventive director, detailed the method of script choice, which includes every bit being learn by three completely different folks. Solely the highest 40 performs are carried ahead to the studying weekend, the place actors are invited to learn every script aloud, in order that 16 could be chosen for efficiency.
These 16 scripts are cut up up into two packages, that are carried out individually. The preferred performs by viewers vote go on to the ultimate, the place a winner is topped.
“We don’t at all times agree on each script,” Petersen added, “however we strive to verify the competition is as balanced, genre-wise, as potential.”
“There’s at all times a mixture of comedies and dramas, and generally there are horror or sci-fi items,” mentioned Greta C. Wink, who hosts the competition. “The play choice committee is cautious to pick performs which can be recent and authentic, so the attendees who come yearly have a novel expertise every time.”
One other distinction this yr is that the venue has been refurbished. Dulwich Faculty, the place the competition is produced, has reworked its auditorium.
Louis Groves, one other producer-actor, calls the brand new area “trendy and exquisite,” describing the acoustics as “unbelievable.”
Brian Keane, an actor who has carried out within the final three festivals, additionally mentioned he was excited to see how the venue appears to be like now.
Keane extolled the variety of roles accessible, even for much less assured performers, and mentioned he returns to the competition yearly due to the enjoyable ambiance, including the inventive course of is “not too high-pressure.”
George Merusi, a newcomer to the competition this yr, equally mentioned his preparation “wasn’t too intensive,” although he did provide sympathy for his play’s costume designer who was tasked with turning him “into the personification of an execution gadget.” Merusi mentioned he hasn’t acted in a scripted manufacturing in over two years and hopes the 10-Minute Play Pageant will encourage others to soak up the huge vary of theatrical expertise on provide in Seoul.
“Bovine Existential” stars Sabrine Ahmed Iqbal, left, and Torin Horvik. Courtesy of Yeobin Park
Nevertheless, it isn’t solely native creativity that can be showcased. One other new ingredient for this yr’s manufacturing, highlighted by Groves, is {that a} crew from Gwangju can be coming as much as Seoul to carry out. “We’re thrilled to have a voice from outdoors our standard ecosystem,” Groves mentioned.
Wherever the creatives are from, there are recurring descriptions of the sense of neighborhood it fosters, in addition to the chance to contribute creatively. “Friendships and relationships are shaped throughout this competition,” Petersen mentioned. “We’ve even had former performers go on to grow to be skilled actors.”
Janete da Rocha, a returning director for the competition, mentioned doing the competition final yr taught her loads. “Being in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere … can actually assist one flourish in inventive fields, and but there are so few locations for it.”
“As a foreigner, I believe it’s precious to have a social and inventive outlet,” Merusi added.
Wanting again on his first audition, Keane mentioned, “I wanted expertise; now, I’m way more assured.”
The competition gives alternatives to many individuals, even those that would by no means contemplate appearing. Oliver offered an anecdote about how one participant got here to be concerned within the present: “[During auditions] somebody walked in on our lunch break, considering there was a special occasion happening within the area,” he defined. “This individual had no concept auditions had been happening, and truly stayed to audition. They had been forged within the present.”
A poster for the 10-Minute Play Pageant / Courtesy of Seoul Gamers
Seoul Gamers’ 10-Minute Play Pageant can be carried out at Dulwich Faculty close to Sinbanpo Station.
There are two packages every displaying completely different performs. Program A can be carried out Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m., and Program B can be carried out Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. The performs chosen from each packages can be carried out on Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are 25,000 received on the door or 20,000 upfront, and bundle reductions can be found. Go to seoulplayers.org for extra info or to purchase tickets.
Rory Kelly is a author, actor, improviser and slapstick comedian based mostly in Seoul. He is additionally usually noticed not fairly successful pub quizzes within the Itaewon space.
