Play ＂Sopro＂ to perform at National Theater of Korea next month

▲ This photo, provided by the National Theater of Korea, shows a scene from "Sopro." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- The play "Sopro," directed by a leading director and playwright of Portugal with solid recognition in the international performing arts scene, Tiago Rodrigues, will be performing in the Daloreum Theater from June 17th till the 19th in Korea, announced the National Theater of Korea on the 27th.

"Sopro" means "breath" in Portuguese.

This stage tells the story of so many figures who are normally impossible to be seen on stage through a prompter, who is someone who reminds actors on stage of lines and movements, hidden from the audience's view.

"Prompter" are one of the jobs that are disappearing as they are being replaced by the technology.

This play sets the stage for Cristina Vidal, a person who has actually been working as an active prompter in Portugal for over 40 years.

Vidal, who always helps actors offstage will be making her first appearance in the audience and will be bringing out her life and memories in the theater.

This work will show the intersection of Cristina's story with the playwrights of the European classical plays including Moliere, Racine and Chekhov, allowing fiction and reality, plays and reality to break through and permeate each other.

This is a tribute to life and art, and a homage to those who make the stage even in the harsh reality.

Produced by Teatro Nacional D. Maria II and premiered at the Avignon Festival in 2017, it has been consistently performed at world-class theater festivals and leading European theaters.

Director Thiago Rodriguez, who is only in the mid-40s is a theater artist who is famous in the field and was also selected as the next artistic director of the Avignon Festival in France.

"Through Cristina's story, I wanted to pay tribute to those who work in the places that one cannot see behind the theater," Rodriguez said. "Everyone has a voice, and this moment where 'I' am speaking, there are also those that find happiness and meaning when they're not seen by others. They are the reason why we have to pay attention."

While it will be performed in Portuguese, Korean subtitles will be provided. After the performance on June 18th, actors including Cristina Vidal will be on stage to have a "conversation with the audience."

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

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Play "Sopro" to perform at National Theater of Korea next month