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"Death of a Salesman" in Venture Era

Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 18:50

We are living in an age of venture companies. Ideas earn people a lot of money, and talented businesspersons are leaving their companies to start businesses of their own. In such a time, it doesn't seem very convincing to talk about the "Death of a Salesman." Wouldn't "rebirth of a salesman" be more appropriate?

At a time like this, a play such as "Death of a Salesman," now being presented by the Seoul Metropolitan Theater Company, may seem rather out of place. But the truth is, not everyone owns his own venture company and most men today--like Willy Loman--still experience stress at work and feel alienated at home.

So it all boils down to how well the original work, which deals with the tragic death of a salesman, is portrayed. Especially since "Death of a Salesman," first staged in 1949, has already been put on many times in Korea. Fired from work, ignored by his two sons, and weighed down by society's emphasis on success, the main character, Willy Loman, himself is not new to the audience at all.

The cast, however, is pretty impressive. Leading actor Lee Soon-jae returns to the stage after an eight-year absence. As a matter of fact, he also played Willy 23 years ago, in the same theater, in a performance commemorating the opening of the Sejong Cultural Center's Small Theater. The star of many television dramas, this experienced actor has raised expectations for the play.

Willy's wife Linda is played by actress Yoon So-jung. She has a knack for acting out different roles in her past works, this time she plays the role of a wife with an iron-will who tries to save her husband and her home, which is on the verge of destruction.

"Death of a Salesman," written by Arthur Miller, can be seen at the Sejong Cultural Center's Small Theater, from April 12 to 30.

by Park Jung-ho