Actress bursts into tears as reading script of 'Seagull'

Actress Lee Hye-young will play in "Seagull," Anthon Chekhov's representative work.

Seagull dramatizes complex relationships between four characters; actress Arkadina, her lover and story writer, Trigorin, her son Tréplev, and his lover Nina. Lee will play Arkadina in the performance. The last time she participated in a play was four years ago, when she was awarded the Dong-A Theater Prize for "Hedda Gabler."

The theatrical circles have sent her "love calls" a few times. Before Lee agreed to take part in Hedda Gabler, her first stage in 13 years, the Myeongdong Theater persuaded her three times as she kept declining. Reportedly, she decided to play in Seagull after declining four times.

"Myeongdong Theater insisted that they would not present Hedda Gabler without me. This time, art director Lee Yoon-cheol of the National Drama Company said the same thing," Lee said. "The director argued that every respected actress must play Arkadina in Seagull once and that I was the right person for the role. I was convinced, ha-ha."

Lee was first introduced to Seagull by director Kim Gwang-rim. "It was 1994 when I was acting in his work 'Home' with actor Yoo Oh-seong. Kim inserted Nina's monologue from the Seagull chapter four in my part," Lee said. "That was how I first read Seagull, and as I read the script, I burst into tears. It was really touching."

After that, she had been offered roles in Seagull performances, but none of the roles was Nina, which is why she turned down all the offers. "I guess I am old now. I read the script again, and this time I felt more attached to Arkadina," the 53-year-old actress said. "As a mother and actress, I could sympathize her more than before."

The poster of Seagull spotlights Lee's appearance in a noble dress. An actor is standing behind her in the poster, but Lee's charisma outshines his. Four years ago, the poster of Hedda Gabler had Lee alone.

"While the poster of Hedda Gabler focused on my character's charisma, in the poster of Seagull, Arkadina looks elegant and charming. I like it," Lee said, showing her determination to play Arkadina perfectly. "I believe that many people already watched the story, but with me, it will be different." The play will be presented until June 29 at the Myeongdong Theater.

김정은기자 kimje@donga.com