[REVIEW] 'Rebecca' musical is still thriving in Korea after 10 years

Music & Performance

Published: 29 Sep. 2023, 14:40 Updated: 29 Sep. 2023, 14:46

[REVIEW] 'Rebecca' musical is still thriving in Korea after 10 years

Actor Lisa plays Mrs. Danvers in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul. [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Some shows fall behind the times as they age, but the same cannot be said of the Korean production of “Rebecca,” which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with polished yet eccentric performances.

Currently in its seventh season, the musical in early September recorded a cumulative of over 1 million viewers, a milestone that only nine other musicals in Korea have been able to reach thus far.

Written by Michael Kunze and composed by Sylvester Levay, “Rebecca” premiered in Vienna, Austria, in 2006.

Min Young-ki, left, plays Maxim de Winter, and Wendy plays his new wife in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul. [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

It is a widely known musical in Europe, though its English-language show only premiered this month at London’s Charing Cross theater. The reviews for that show are rather lackluster, which is quite a contrast to the outstanding reputation the same show has been able to achieve in Korea. “Rebecca” currently has a rating of 9.8 on the local ticketing platform Interpark.

It is worth noting that the local show’s production company EMK and director Robert Johanson were allowed some liberties when adjusting the original material for the Korean audience.

But, of course, the storyline largely remains the same.

Adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 bestselling novel of the same title, the musical “Rebecca” draws upon the tale of a young Englishwoman ambiguously named “I” who marries the rich widower Maxim de Winter and moves into his Manderley estate. There, the new Mrs. de Winter gets bullied and gaslighted by a creepy housekeeper who is obsessed with the late Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca.

Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Rebecca" (1940) and its remake by Ben Wheatley released on Netflix in 2020.[SCREEN CAPTURE]

The show is beloved for its distinct gothic atmosphere, which can largely be attributed to Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper.

She is less apparent as the antagonist in the original novel, but in the musical, she takes on a much bigger role.

She is also given the most climactic song and moment of the show: “Rebecca” in Act Two. Even people unfamiliar with the musical will still likely know this song.

Hearing it live and in the context of the story, however, is an entirely different experience.

Actor Lisa as Mrs. Danvers, left, and Wendy as "I" sing "Rebecca II" in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul. [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Stage effects, like the wind blowing on Mrs. Danvers’ face and the crashing sound of waves, transport the audience up to the upstairs balcony of Rebecca's room in Manderley, overlooking the windy sea where she perished.

Actor Lisa as Mrs. Danvers gives a very measured performance, displaying almost no emotions throughout most of the show except during this song, when she completely unleashes her obsession with Rebecca and summons her from the ocean with freakish enthusiasm.

Actor Lisa as Mrs. Danvers, right, and Wendy as "I" in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Standing on the balcony, her back is initially turned to the audience, but sometime during the song, the stage makes a dramatic 180-degree turn and reveals the faces of both a terrified "I" and an excited Mrs. Danvers hitting the final, electrifying F sharp.

Lisa stays fully concentrated and present as Mrs. Danvers, leaving the high of that ending echoing in the audience's ears.

This alone is worth a visit to the theater.

Actor Lee Ji-soo as "I" in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Lisa is returning to the role after nine years, alternating the role with three other veterans — Ok Joo-hyun, Shin Young-sook and Chang Eun-ah.

Two new faces playing the naïve second Mrs. de Winter — K-pop girl group Red Velvet’s Wendy and Lee Ji-soo — are joined by Lee Ji-hye and Kim Bo-kyung.

Wendy, who is making her musical theater debut through the role, is receiving praise for her robust vocals and thoughtful acting.

Actor Lisa as Mrs. Danvers, left, and Wendy as "I" in the ongoing production of the musical "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Kim Ji-sun, alternating the role of the second Mrs. de Winter’s previous boss Mrs. Van Hopper, also gives a notable performance as the rare comic relief throughout the show.

“Rebecca” has also managed to stay modern through continuous upgrades in its set and graphics.

The stage of "Rebecca" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

The stage, designed by set designer Jung Seung-ho, has received upgrades to the proscenium, which is embellished with symbolic items that light up during different scenes. It also uses AI-incorporated motion graphics that effectively aid viewers' imaginations throughout the musical, by projection designer Song Seung-kue.

“Rebecca” runs through Nov. 11 at Blue Square’s Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, central Seoul.