"I was intrigued by the story of a young man isolated in Sillim-dong in a zombie-infested world. This is why I chose a Korean work despite receiving many meeting offers from Hollywood."
Jethro Compton, serving as dramaturg for the UK production of Korean original musical "The Last Man," explained his motivation for joining the project in an interview with Seoul Economic Daily in Daehak-ro, Seoul, on the 23rd. "The Last Man" will have its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London from May 8 to June 6.
Compton won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards—often called the British equivalent of the Tony Awards—last year for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." He previously gained recognition for writing and directing "Bunker Trilogy," "Capone Trilogy," and "Frontier Trilogy."
For one of Britain's most prominent playwrights, the appeal of this Korean musical lies in "the power of the story." "The Last Man" depicts the life and psychology of a survivor isolated in a bunker in Sillim-dong after a zombie virus outbreak. "I've been putting off Hollywood meetings, telling them I'm busy in Korea," Compton said. "The story of a young man surviving alone in a zombie world is compelling because it can be interpreted on multiple levels."
The UK production will retain the Korean setting and Korean protagonist. "We're preserving Korean elements while adapting the work so British audiences can naturally understand it," he said. "The fact that it's a Korean work is itself a fresh appeal for British audiences, so I want to convey Korean sentiments well."
Compton emphasized the work's universality. "The impact of social pressure on individuals and the isolation felt by young people in major cities is the same whether in Seoul, London, or New York," he said. "The more specific and personal the story, the more universally it will resonate with audiences."
Compton visited Sillim-dong to better understand the work. "Only after visiting the site did I truly grasp the pressure and stress Korean young people experience," he said. "The various banners covering building walls were a sight rarely seen in other countries. I came to understand why this work had to be set in Sillim-dong."
Compton has visited Korea multiple times for domestic licensed productions of his signature work "Bunker Trilogy." Having introduced British works to Korea, he now brings a Korean work to Britain. "It's meaningful to join Neo production company CEO Lee Heon-jae's efforts to expand the boundaries of Korean musicals," he said. "I'm approaching this with great passion as a challenging and new experience."
"Bunker Trilogy" portrays human madness and the horrors of war in a confined trench during World War I. Its Korean licensed productions in 2016, 2018, and 2026 all sold out, leaving a strong impression.
"The Last Man," which premiered in 2021, is currently in its third season in Korea. It will run at Link the Space Hall 1 in Seoul from April 24 to June 7.