One-Person Play 'Prima Facie' Depicting the Legal Struggles of Sexual Violence Victims... Starring Cha Ji-yeon, Kim Shin-rok, and Lee Ja-ram

The play 'Prima Facie', depicting a lawyer who has suffered sexual violence fighting a legal battle against her perpetrator, opened on the 27th of last month at the Chungmu Art Center in Seoul.

The work deals with the process of Tess, a young lawyer who was on the rise, engaging in a legal battle for 782 days after being sexually assaulted by her colleague, Julian. Tess, aware that all circumstances are against her due to her past experience defending perpetrators in sexual violence cases, begins her courtroom struggle.

The title 'Prima Facie' is a legal term meaning that existing facts or claims are considered legally valid until strong counter-evidence is presented. The work illuminates the protagonist's inner world as she continues a fight with slim chances of victory for 782 days, with no evidence to prove guilt other than Tess's testimony.

Written by playwright Suzy Miller, who has a background as a human rights lawyer, this work is structured as a one-person play. One actor embodies all the dialogues of Tess and the surrounding characters, leading the play.

The work details the complex psychological state that sexual violence victims experience before testifying in court. It points out that existing sexual violence trials impose harsh evidentiary burdens on victims.

A scene where Tess suddenly feels fear and collapses on her way to the office indirectly shows the trauma faced by victims.

In the courtroom confrontation scenes, one actor plays all characters, characterized by a fast-paced development. Actor Lee Ja-ram, who performed on the 6th, alternated between the voice of Tess, who is trapped in trauma and trying to continue her testimony, and the aggressive questioning of the lawyer, enhancing the immersion.

Lighting direction was also effectively utilized to express the characters' psychology. In scenes of sexual violence, the lighting gradually narrowed around Tess's face, maximizing feelings of helplessness and fear.

The work focuses on the psychology of the character who has completed a long struggle rather than the outcome of the legal battle. In her final statement, Tess advocates for the establishment of legal systems considering the specificity of sexual crimes, resolving her inner frustration, leaving a deep impression on the audience.

This work premiered in Australia in 2019, and this is its first domestic stage. Directed by Shin Yoo-cheong, who has directed 'Thebe Land', 'Hamlet', etc., the domestic performance features Cha Ji-yeon, Kim Shin-rok, and Lee Ja-ram, and will continue at the Chungmu Art Center's Black Theater until November 2.