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- Herausgeber: WS
- Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
- Sprache: Englisch
When Mina’s father dies, she returns to Korea to visit a family she barely knows, desperately looking for some answers. But her mother is reluctant to discuss the past, especially the war, or the reasons that Mina was sent so far away as a child, to America. Her younger sister seems unable to grow up and it doesn’t help that their nosy neighbour is always on their doorstep. Secrets and lies divide them all irrevocably.
When the truth is finally revealed, it is both shocking and redemptive, allowing Mina and those around her to see themselves anew and break free from years of pain and guilt.
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Seitenzahl: 67
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017
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Asa Palomera trained at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. She began her career at the Public Theatre, in Pavlo Hummel and on Broadway at the Golden Theatre in Sticks and Bones both written by David Rabe and produced by Joseph Papp. She has directed globally, and written many plays, including Women of Asia and The Curious Lives of Shakespeare and Cervantes, published by Aurora Metro. She currently travels, and works as a choreographer, director and writer.
First published in the UK in 2017 by Aurora Metro Publications Ltd.
67 Grove Avenue, Twickenham, TW1 4HX
The Prodigal Daughter of Korea copyright © 2017 Asa Palomera
Production: Simon Smith
With many thanks to: Marina Tuffier, Peter Fullagar, Abi Silverthorne and Anthony Crick.
All rights are strictly reserved.
For rights enquiries including performing rights, please contact the publisher: [email protected]
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Printed in the UK by 4edge Limited.
Ebook conversion by Swift ProSys.
ISBNs:
978-1-912430-01-7 (print)
978-1-912430-02-4 (ebook)
THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER OF KOREA
BY
ASA PALOMERA
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my husband, Federico Palomera for his typing of all the plays written by hand, and his continuous support and interest in my theatrical endeavours.
I would also like to thank my editor and assistant director David Dawkins who has been the sounding board for every production of each play since Australia.
I must also give very belated thanks to the late producer Mr Joseph Papp who had advised me to write about Asia, my origin, when we last saw each other in Thailand, the first play being Women Of Asia.
Production History
The Prodigal Daughter of Korea was the recipient of the City of Melbourne Writer’s Grant for best original play, the original production at Trades Hall theatres in Melbourne received strong reviews. Due to public demand, it transferred to Chapel off Chapel for a further run.
The play then travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the full thirty days, gaining further praise and broad attendance.
The text was then fully revised and is published here for the first time.
THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER OF KOREA
by Asa Palomera
edited and revised by David Dawkins
Cast
40s, Korean American, UN executive in Geneva, UNESCO Liaison Office.
60s, mother of Mina, Japanese-Korean
30s, unmarried Korean woman, Mina’s sister, (plays violin if possible)
50s, nosey neighbour, Korean
60s, Army General Damian Summers, ex OSS, American
40s, Assistant to the General, Korean or American
20s-30s, a petite prostitute, Korean or any.
20s, bath house attendant, (can double with Woman), Korean
20s, Mina’s uncle (can double with Major), Korean
20s, Mina’s father (can double with Major/Uncle), Korean
Place
Seoul, Korea
Time
Summer of 1989
ACT I
SCENE 1
It is 1989, a blue moonlit night settles over Seoul, Korea. A middle class modern flat in Seoul, sparsely furnished except for a sofa. Mina, a forty-ish beautiful woman clad in a silk kimono comes down from her room upstairs.
“Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.”
(Goes to a telephone and dials)
(In a hushed tone, speaking German) Hallo? Guten Tag. Darf ich bitte mit Herr Botschafter von Schondorf sprechen? Ist… Entschuldigen Sie. Er ist nicht … oh, you speak English. Is Ambassador Schondorf not in? Not available. I see. May I leave a message, then? Please tell him that Mina, from Seoul has phoned. Where is that? It is the capital of Korea. No! South Korea. If I were calling from North Korea I would be a Mata Hari working for the greatest leader of the world. Thank you so much. Wiedersehen!
Lights come up in Mother’s room. Mina is looking up quietly.
Two husbands already and now she’s at it again… dirty, dirty American ways.
Hush, Mother, she can hear you!
The shame she put us through. Your father almost died of shame.
Shame never killed anybody. Besides, Father died of more earthly things, like cancer. Go to sleep, Mother.
I can’t believe that she is my own flesh and blood. She was always peculiar in that way.
What way, Mother?
What way, Mother?
Boys… always hanging about…
Hush, Mother, she can hear you.
Mina reaches the top of the stairs. As she touches the doorknob to open it, lights go off inside the room. Mina stands against the door.
I very much wanted to lay down next to Mother, to be a part of them, even awake, while they’d sleep. My happiness would have been full.
Black out.
SCENE 2
Next morning, about seven a.m. Mother comes down dressed in her Sunday best, holding rosary and a hymn book.
Good morning, Mother.
Why are you up so early? You should sleep longer. The time change after a long trip must be tiring. Hungry?
I am always hungry.
When I return, we’ll go to a nice hotel for brunch. Teresa and I thought last night, why not do like Americans do in your honour? You kill two birds with one stone! (Thinking herself mighty funny) Breakfast and lunch together!
Are you going out alone? Shall I come with you?
Not unless you want to go to Mass.
Not really. But it is rather a long way for you to walk alone.
Don’t worry. Mrs Nam always waits around the corner to accompany me. I don’t really want to explain anything to her about who you are. She can be so nosy.
Explain who I am?
Rest, my darling, why don’t you? You are not a young girl any longer.
Huh?
Are you? You are in your forties, now, you could be a grandmother in some parts of the world.
Or a nun! To be a grandmother I’d have to be a mother first.
Precisely. (Goes out)
Mina faces the door and stands there.
Did you sleep well? Hungry? (Yawning)
No to the first, yes to the second.
Well, tough luck, you’ll have to wait. Coffee or tea? I’m sure they do toast and eggs at the hotel or would you prefer a Korean affair?
Korean affair all the way.
Once a Korean, always a Korean.
As far as food goes.
You’re not the only Westernised person here. Did you miss Korea?
I missed you, and Mother and Father, not Korea. If you were not in it, it would mean nothing to me. Often, I wonder if I belong to Korea or Korea belongs to me. I am floating in a space where all belongs to me, and me to all. Yet Korea aches my heart, I don’t know why. (Teresa is curious but nonplussed) I’m glad you love classical music. I do too.
Both listen to Schubert in harmony until Teresa enters Kitchen. Teresa picks up a spoon with a heartbreaking sob.
Teresa? What’s the matter?
It was his!
Mina embraces Teresa. They stay entwined. Central light comes up as the general lights darken.
