REVIEW: Tether 인연

©️ Poster Orlando B. Lloyd, Photo by Eoin Carey

TETHER 인연 presented by Wonder Fools, written and directed by Robbie Gordon, Jack Nurse, and Yoon Junghwan. Performed in Summerhall, Edinburgh, the show begins with a ceilidh dance! The performers are joined by several audience members, immediately creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. A live band featuring piano, guitar, geomungo and drums accompanies the performance, exploring the fascinating connections between Korean and Scottish folk music. The musicians (Seyoung Lee, David Scobie, Rachel Campbell, Lewis McLaughlin, Duncan Ritchlie, Gregor Niven) do far more than simply perform brilliant music. Their presence helps establish the atmosphere and emotional world of the production, allowing music to become an essential part of the storytelling.

The story unfolds across three interwoven timelines. Two young souls meet in 1918, the Korean War in the 1950s, and afterwards in Korea and Scotland in the 1970s. These different periods are gradually woven together, creating a story that initially feels fragmented but becomes increasingly meaningful as the connections between the characters are revealed. The set is remarkably simple, consisting primarily of an open stage, a few chairs and a table. Yet nothing more seems necessary. The simplicity of the design gives the performers and the story room to breathe.

The lighting design by Benny Goodman and sound engineer Roan Ballantine are particularly impressive. Within such a complex, multi-timeline narrative, they play an essential role in guiding the audience through different periods and emotional states. The lighting clearly distinguishes between timelines while also supporting the more delicate emotional moments of the story. The use of reverb in the songs and during Dae Han’s dreamlike sequences is particularly effective, adding another layer to the production’s emotional and imaginative world.

The song Auld Lang Syne runs throughout the performance as a recurring musical thread. Each time it returns, it carries a different emotional weight. What begins as a familiar melody gradually becomes connected to memory, loss, and the relationships between the characters. By the end, every character begins to make sense. When the different pieces of the story finally come together, the emotional and narrative depth of the production reaches another level. What initially appears to be several separate stories reveals itself as something much more deeply connected. This is a production that understands how to use music as a key. Through Korean and Scottish folk traditions, it creates connections between people, places and generations. Tether is both a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.

TETHER 인연 is perhaps one of the most heartwarming, joyful and emotionally overwhelming experiences of the Fringe. A production that can make its audience dance, laugh and, eventually, burst into tears, it demonstrates the power of music and storytelling to bring people together across cultures and generations.

★★★★★

For more information, please visit: https://www.wonderfools.org/projects/tether/

Credits

Cast

Molly Bryson
Isabella Jarrett
Naomi Stirrat
Misoo Kim
Hyeonkyu Choi, Junwoo Hwang
Martin Donaghy

Musicians

Seyoung Lee
David Scobie
Rachel Campbell
Lewis McLaughlin
Duncan Ritchie
Gregor Niven

Creative Team

Writers and Directors: Robbie Gordon, Jack Nurse and Yoon Junghwan
Creative Producer: Minjin Hong
Composer: Stuart Ramage
Choreographers: Nam Hyunwoo and Robbie Gordon
Costume Designer: Vicki Brown
Lighting Designer: Benny Goodman
Interpreter and Translator: Sophia (Su Hyang) Cho
Assistant Director: Morgan Ferguson
Deputy Stage Manager: Emma Yeomans
Stage Manager: Rebekah Pattison
Production Manager: Paul Rodger
Sound Engineer: Roan Ballantine
Participation Coordinator: Eve Kerr
Head of Admin and Finance: Sally Rennie
Social Media and Marketing: Gregor John-Owen

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