French marital comedy to play Seoul Arts Center

The Seoul Arts Center will stage "The Game of Love and Chance", a play written by 18th-century French playwright Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, from June 13 to July 1. This is the first time for a Korean drama troupe to stage the French play.

"The Game of Love and Chance", a comedy set in 18th-century France, tells the story of mistaken identities and the importance of being viewed as a person regardless of one's social status.

Im Young-ung, who produced the Korean version of the play, said the drama has a lot to tell to people living in the present, because it looks at the complicated and never-ending story of marriage.

"Although the play is from 18th century Europe and talks about love between two young nobles, it has details and themes that are very similar to the present", Im told a news conference in Seoul last week.

"It looks different from the costumes and the culture behind the scene; it has the essence and logic of love that everyone will have a chance to learn about", said Im, 71, one of the greatest drama producers in Korea. The play begins with Sylvia, the daughter of a nobleman living in Paris, and her chambermaid, Lisette, talking about their thoughts on marriage and husbands. Sylvia, promised to marry the son of a family friend, says that it is hard to tell how her future husband really is by only looking at his face or social status. After a while Sylvia learns that Dorante, the man she will marry, will be visiting her soon, and she and her maid make a plan to switch identities to help Sylvia discover the true character of her future husband.

Sylvia's father agrees with her idea, but there is a little trick. The father has been informed from Dorante's father that Dorante will also arrive in disguise as a servant, accompanying the real servant playing Dorante's identity. Mario, Sylvia's brother, and his father are the only characters on stage who know what's going on and are delighted to watch Sylvia and Dorante fooling each other.

What makes the play more impressive is that it features popular actor Kim Seok-hoon and rookie Lee Min-jung in the roles of Dorante and Sylvia. Although he is busy with a TV drama, Kim said he decided to act in the French comedy considering his deep friendship with the producer. Kim met producer Im when he was a member of the National Theater of Korea in the late 1990s.

"I think marriage is something very important in our lives, like it was to the people from the 18th century. The play will have a lot to say to young women and men who are about to get married, like the importance of finding the value of a person", said Kim.

"The Game of Love and Chance" is staged at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with matinees on Tuesday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.). Tickets are from 15,000 won to 35,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300 for more information.