Rooftop Revolution opens Tuesday 6th October at the Golden Goose Theatre, exploring a tragic comedy about two men isolating themselves on a rooftop. Learn more about what you can expect:
1: What inspired Rooftop Revolution?
Producer Annie-
When I was first introduced to the script, I immediately felt that it was, in so many ways, a story about me and my friends. The feeling of falling behind the pace of the city, questioning where our lives are going, and wanting to escape from the world for a while felt very familiar. What we need is not a grand solution, but a story that allows us to laugh together. That is why I wanted to bring this story to people around in London.
Director Gain-
Although the play was originally set in Seoul, I felt that London suited the story even better. With its diversity and unique sense of urban romance, London made these characters and events feel more believable, as though they could really exist somewhere in the city.
2. What message or commentary do you hope audiences take away from the production?
P-
We simply hope the ridiculous plans these strange young people make to overcome their situation together can make audiences laugh, root for them, and sometimes even find them a little hopeless. Beneath all that, we hope to leave a quiet sense of comfort like you are not alone, life somehow goes on, and sometimes you just need to find your balance.
D-
Through the two flawed and rather pathetic men and the brave, outspoken Schoolgirl, I hope audiences recognise parts of themselves. Although the characters can be avoidant, passive and imperfect, they eventually begin to move forward at their own pace, and I hope this gives the audience a sense of hope.
3. How did you approach adapting a play from Korean culture for a UK audience?
P-
An artist hurt by other people’s judgement, a job seeker longing for a stable career, and a curious, ambitious teenager, these three characters could exist anywhere in the world. We didn’t feel the need to work hard to make them understandable across cultures. As we translated and adapted the language, the story naturally began to absorb the cultural context of the UK.
D-
The main storyline has not changed much, but adapting the Unemployed character required careful thought. Someone preparing for the civil service examination is a familiar character in Korea, so I reimagined him as someone hoping to enter the UK Civil Service while keeping his original personality and desire for stability.
4. What do you think the rooftop setting symbolises?
P-
I think everyone understands the desire to suddenly run away from everyday life, or to disappear from the world for a bit. The rooftop is a space where we can glimpse what it might look like if that imagination became real. When we are hurt, we all need somewhere safe to hide for a moment, and paradoxically, the rooftop is therefore both a place of escape and a place of protection.
D-
The rooftop is an ironic space: the characters go there to hide, but their remaining pride will not let them disappear underground. It is open and gives them room to breathe, yet it also becomes a place where they isolate and trap themselves.
5. What was the biggest challenge in producing this show?
P-
I tried a lot to make sure the show didn’t feel like an overly serious or tragic drama. We wanted to emphasise its comedy, so audiences could enjoy a sense of liberation, laugh freely, and then unexpectedly find a deeper sense of recognition. Finding that balance and reflecting it in our visual identity and promotional concept was one of our biggest challenges.
D-
The biggest challenge was finding the right balance between realism and symbolism, as some parts of living on a rooftop would be difficult to believe in 2026. We needed to create a theatrical world that feels symbolic while still giving the audience enough realistic detail to accept it.
6. What has been the most enjoyable part about creating Rooftop Revolution?
P-
The actors’ ability to inhabit their characters has been incredible. From the very first auditions, these three actors felt like the characters themselves, and the scenes they create together are incredibly convincing. It’s also been incredibly rewarding to introduce this story and these actors to people around us and see the excitement and smiles on their faces.
D-
The most enjoyable part has been exploring the chemistry between the three very different characters. The unpredictable Schoolgirl suddenly enters the lives of the Artist and the Unemployed, disrupts their routine and creates an unexpected dynamic between them.
Rooftop Revolution opens Tuesday 6th October at the Golden Goose Theatre. Many thanks to Annie Seoyeon Kyung and Gain Amy Park for answering our questions. Book your tickets here!
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