'The Rose of Versailles' ditches romance for focus on struggle for justice

The new musical 'The Rose of Versailles' focuses on justice instead of romance, with a message of love and unity underlying the lavish production.

Actor Jeong U-ji performs as Oscar in the musical “The Rose of Versailles” at Chungmu Arts Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Thrusday. [YONHAP]

Romance is largely absent from the new musical “The Rose of Versailles,” which is based on the hit 1970s Japanese manga of the same name and often categorized as a historical romance.

Instead, the Korean musical interpretation — a compact 150-minute show including intermission — focuses on the characters' internal and external struggles for justice.

This change may make the musical more relevant to audiences, because “no society is free of social injustices that are depicted in our 'The Rose of Versailles,'” Ock Joo-hyun, who plays the lead role of Oscar, said during the musical's news conference at Chungmu Art Center on Thursday.

The ensemble cast of "The Rose of Versailles" [YONHAP]

“The Rose of Versailles” is a historical French drama that follows Oscar François de Jarjayes, the youngest daughter of a military household who was raised as a boy due to her father’s wish to have a son. She becomes a royal guard at Versailles. On the job, she learns of the hypocrisy of the French upper class and decides to stand with the middle class when the French Revolution (1789-99) begins.

Kim Ji-woo and Jeong U-ji alternate Oscar François de Jarjayes with Ock; Lee Hae-jun, Kim Sung-sik, and Ko Eun-sung alternate André Grandier, Oscar’s attendant; and Park Min-sung, Seo Yeong-taek and Noh Yun alternate Bernard Chatelet, a journalist who seeks to bring out the class injustices of French society. The show also has many supporting roles and is backed by an ensemble.

Ock Joo-hyun, right, as Oscar [YONHAP]

Andre and Oscar develop a romantic relationship in Riyoko Ikeda's original manga, but the Korean musical “deals with their relationship more indirectly, through the lyrics and music,” according to Kim Ji-woo. “On the show, she doesn't state her feelings toward Andre as blatantly as she does in the manga,” Kim said.

The robust score, incorporating classical, and contemporary notes, was composed by Brandon Lee, a well-known theater composer in Korea most notably behind the scores of musicals “Ben-Hur” and “Secret Garden.” Wang Yong-beom, best known as the director of the locally produced musical “Frankenstein,” directed “The Rose of Versailles.” He also wrote the book and lyrics.

Actor Lisa as Duchess Polignac, a close aide to Marie Antoinette [YONHAP]

To depict the vast class differences in French society, “The Rose of Versailles” includes lavish set designs and costumes, including 250 outfits and over 100 hair accessories and shoes, according to the show's producer, EMK.

But underneath it all, the cast believes the show is ultimately about love and unity.

“We tend to live behind the screen these days, without real human-to-human interactions, and that can prevent conflict or clashes of opinion,” Ock said. “Everyone has their truth and their versions of their stories. But the central idea behind this musical is that we should be making a constant effort to fight for what is right and then forgive and understand as a society.”

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]