Preview: Tether
Every time has its story…and while time delayed is time unspent, a place where plans should be, it does not expire without first leaving a ghostly trace in the memories of people. Tether inhabits this liminal space - weaving within it both Korean and Scottish cultures. The warp and weft so tightly bound as cannot be undone. It is simple, touching, beautiful.
As should be the way of all social settings, Tether begins with a ceilidh. And what better way for proceedings to start than with Strip The Willow and a little audience participation? It breaks the ice, and the live band (a splendid accompaniment comprising Scottish and Korean musicians) creates a joie de vivre preparing everyone for the story to come. It is 1919 and Dae Han (Hyeon-kyu Choi) arrives in Glasgow on a mission exchange. He is met by the hearty, and not wholly unstern, Reverend Milligan (Martin Donaghy). Dae Han’s abode is unexpectedly situated above a pub and so he is introduced to Scottish dancing (which bars entry to the devil) and whisky (which grows hairs on your chest). As might be expected, the Glaswegians he encounters are friendly but fierce. Steadily, Dae Han warms to their honesty and learns their lingo. He meets the daughter of the publican, Jane (Molly Bryson), who is unphased by guests in her home. They come and go and nary a name leaves an impression. ‘Dae Han’ is yet another. At first she does all she can to tolerate him as he persists in regaling her with stories about his homeland, Joseon (Korea). We are introduced to the concept of ‘Arirang’; a feeling of longing and a Korean folk song (beautifully sung by Mi-soo Kim). Inevitably, intriguingly, Dae Han and Jane become emotionally involved and the audience becomes fully invested in their story. Dae-Han returns to Joseon but not before Scotland has entered into his soul: an echo which will go on to propagate down through the ages. The story catches up with our protagonists in 1970. Jane (Isabella Jarrett) is now the publican and, to her surprise, meets a young Korean woman who comes bearing long-awaited news. Their exchanges, resigned and respectful, are a delicate measure of the Scottish-Korean relationship.
Writers and directors Robbie Gordon, Yoon Junghwan and Jack Nurse combine their talents to envelop us in a converging interstitial dramaturgy, wistfully imbuing the narrative with a sparing quotidien melancholy. The actors are phenomenal given the bilingual nature of the piece which, to the directors’ credit, registers as a stunning success. Tether acts as a much-needed rejoinder to the cultural delineation of our times. It reminds us of our humanity. You won’t wait to be asked to dance.
Viewed on 30th July, Citizens Theatre (Preview), Glasgow. Tether transfers to Summerhall Main Hall, Edinburgh on August 6th where it continues until August 31st.