"You might have expected a woman left alone after losing her husband to appear desolate. But I came to see you! Your confident expression and resolute voice, it was truly you." (Irène Curie, daughter of Marie Curie)
The Korean original musical 'Marie Curie', which has been re-imported to the homeland of the scientist Marie Curie (1867-1934) in Poland, is approaching its final domestic performance this year, set for November 19th. The production team held a special concert and screening in Poland in 2022 and won the Grand Prix 'Golden Watering Can Award' at the 'Warsaw Music Gardens Festival', a prominent music festival in Central Europe. Domestically, it won five awards at the 2023 5th Korea Musical Awards, including Grand Prize, Producer Award, Script Award, Composition Award, and Directing Award.
As the title suggests, this musical portrays the life journey of scientist Marie Curie. She discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium and established the concept of radioactivity, earning her two Nobel Prizes. The production depicts her transformation from a novice undergraduate at the University of Paris, Sorbonne, to a distinguished scientist. It emphasizes her fight against gender discrimination as a woman and her resistance to ethnic discrimination as a Polish individual. The role of Marie Curie is passionately performed by actresses Kim So-hyang, Park Hye-na, Kim Ryeo-won, and musical diva Ock Joo-hyun.
The musical begins with Marie Curie reflecting on her life as a scientist on her deathbed. On the day she boarded the train to Sorbonne for her scientific pursuits, she already faced gender and racial discrimination. On this train, she encounters a belligerent drunk who harasses her for being Polish and struggles to find a seat simply because she is a woman. These incidents foreshadow the challenging path ahead for Marie Curie. In reality, when she entered Sorbonne in 1891, women were not even granted the right to vote.
Marie Curie boldly declares her defiance against these challenges. She sings a number with lyrics like "Can I do it all / The road is long and far / The walls that block me / I will face them with my whole body / The walls that grow taller each time / Can I find it / The name never called / I will complete the map that fills my mind." Her resistance to discrimination and passion for scientific inquiry are prominent. Her lifelong friend, whom she meets on the train, encourages her by saying, "Leave your name like a star on this periodic table. You will become a star of our Poland."
The production is notable for its seamless transitions between settings such as laboratories, factories, and lecture halls. The use of lighting to quickly evoke dramatic atmospheres and the creation of climactic scenes with semi-transparent screens have been well-received by audiences. The musical effectively conveys various themes, including the conscience of a scientist, the conflict between factory workers and entrepreneurs, and friendship and family love, without entangling them. The production was also staged in London's West End last year. The British stage performance media 'THEATRE VIBE' praised it, stating, "It creates a familiar yet immersive atmosphere" and "provides a deep understanding of Marie Curie's life."
Byung-Hoon Yang, Reporter hun@tenasia.co.kr