peter kleijn
Google
OH – The Fourth Stand-in for the Dictator
Jeongdong Theater, Seoul
When comedy falls silent
The Jeongdong Theater’s OH – The Fourth Stand-in for the Dictator feels less like a traditional musical and more like a staged narrative with music. On a modest rectangular stage, a skilled live band with cello, piano, and winds provides the strongest moments of the evening. Vocals, however, prove uneven: a deep, resonant baritone appears only once, while much of the remaining singing feels thin and high-pitched.
Visually, the production makes inventive use of descending set pieces and a playful puppet sequence, though such ideas appear too rarely. The story of a supermarket worker turned reporter under a dictator is told consistently, but the leads lack charisma. Comedic touches go largely unacknowledged by the audience, leaving the tone subdued.
At more than two hours, the show maintains interest thanks to its music and stagecraft. As a musical, though, OH never fully convinces.
