Playing the role of a censor who has to delete the play “University of Laughter'' After 9 years… “I'll teach you the beauty of moderation.'' “If you look closely, you'll see how cute I am.”
Actor Seo Hyun-chul (59) will return to the stage after nine years in the play “University of Laughter.''
The play “University of Laughter'' is written by a playwright, Koki Mitani, and depicts the seven days that took place during the war in 1940, between a cold censor who tried to eliminate comedies that brought laughter to people, and a writer working exclusively for playwright Koki Mitani. Koki Mitani's masterpiece. “University of Laughter'' is a theater company that puts its life on laughter. The performance has been held since the 11th at S Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Seo Hyun-chul, along with Song Seung-hwan, were appointed as “censors'' who tried to eliminate laughter, saying it was unnecessary. Seo Hyun-cheol will be appearing again in “University of Laughter,'' which will be replayed for the first time in nine years since 2015.
Seo Hyun-chul said, “It was a good production nine years ago, but what I felt even more this time is that laughter is really important in life.” He said he wants to have more fun on stage and make the audience laugh. “Every time I do a production, it gets more and more difficult. It's probably because I'm getting older and physically weaker, but I've become able to accept myself more seriously, whereas I used to just go with the flow. I used to be very self-satisfied, but now, as adults say, 'The more you try, the harder it gets,' I feel a stronger sense of responsibility to do well.”
Why did Seo Hyun Chul choose Laugh University again? “I wanted to make up for what I felt was a failure in acting nine years ago,” he said.
Seo Hyun-chul said, “There were a lot of lines, so I lazily thought, “Maybe I should memorize those lines again.'' “If the work wasn't good, I would have had an excuse to die, but it was a really good work, so I wanted to do it,'' he said, adding, “I think I did a good job (starring in the role). Looking back now, I don't think I had the energy nine years ago. Nine years ago, her performance was a little chaotic, but this time she will show the beauty of moderation.
Comedy actor Seo Hyun-chul believes that the secret to comedy is “breathing and timing.” He said, “If you don't get the timing right for even 0.2 or 0.3 seconds, the laughter will disappear, and there are parts where you have to get into the rhythm like a pulse very exquisitely. The reason comedy is difficult is that you have to do something without doing anything, like 'not trying to do anything.'”
Regarding Song Seung-hwan, who played the same role, he said, “It was difficult for a two-person play because he is older and has a lot of lines to say,'' adding, “I memorized the script early. But I memorized it too quickly as a joke, so I forgot everything. ”
When asked why he should watch the censor played by Seo Hyun-chul instead of Song Seung-hwan, he replied, “Because he's crying,'' and “If you look closely, you'll see how cute I am,'' which drew laughter.
Finally, Seo Hyun-chul said, “'Laughter University' is a heartwarming work in any situation,” and said he would like to recommend watching “Laughter University” as a prescription for those who need a laugh.