The National Theater Company of Korea is bringing ancient Greek mythology to life with an ambitious five-part theatrical cycle called "Anthropolis," written by acclaimed German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig. The epic production, which takes over 10 hours to watch in its entirety, will unfold at Seoul's Myeongdong Theater beginning October 10, marking a significant cultural event that traces 2,500 years of Western civilization through the legendary stories of Thebes.
The ancient city of Thebes has served as the dramatic backdrop for some of Greek mythology's most enduring tales. According to legend, the city was founded by Phoenician prince Cadmus during his search for his abducted sister Europa. Thebes became not only a birthplace of gods and a center of worship, but also the setting for timeless tragedies that would shape the foundations of Western drama. The city witnessed the birth of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and saw King Oedipus fulfill the dark prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother.
The myths surrounding Thebes' royal house were masterfully transformed into theatrical works by three of classical Athens' most celebrated tragedians: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Their interpretations of these stories created dramatic foundations that continue to influence theater today. Now, Schimmelpfennig's modern cycle revives these ancient tales across five distinct plays: "Prolog/Dionysos," "Laios," "Oedipus," "Iokaste," and "Antigone/Epilog."
Originally premiered at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg in 2023, "Anthropolis" has garnered critical acclaim for its vivid and beautiful portrayal of ancient mythological figures. The cycle presents these characters both faithfully and through modern reinterpretations, creating a comprehensive journey through the Theban legends. Critics have praised the work for its ambitious scope and artistic vision in connecting ancient stories to contemporary audiences.
The Korean production will launch with "Prolog/Dionysos" on October 10, followed by "Laios" in November, with the remaining three installments scheduled for the following year. The opening play, adapted faithfully from Euripides' "The Bacchae," begins with Zeus's abduction of Europa in the form of a bull and traces the rise of Thebes as a prosperous city. The story builds to a dramatic confrontation between King Pentheus and Dionysus, depicting both the god's birth and the king's violent death.
Director Yoon Han-sol leads the Korean production of "Prolog/Dionysos" with a cast of 18 actors. The second installment, "Laios," takes a unique approach by focusing on Oedipus's father and his rise to the throne of Thebes. This production will be staged as a one-woman performance starring actress Jeon Hye-jin, under the direction of Kim Su-jung. Notably, "Laios" is the only play in the entire cycle written entirely by Schimmelpfennig rather than adapted from ancient texts.
To accommodate international audiences, English subtitles will be provided for both "Prolog/Dionysos" and "Laios" during Thursday and Sunday performances, with the exception of October 19 and November 16. This accessibility feature reflects the theater company's commitment to sharing these timeless stories with a broader audience, bridging the gap between ancient Greek drama and contemporary Korean theater.
