Breaking the Mold: 'Life of Pi' Delivers a Unique Theatrical Experience

The dictionary defines a musical as a popular performance style that harmoniously combines music, script, singing, choreography, art, stage, and direction. However, 'Life of Pi' shatters this mold. Despite this, the production has astonished audiences and left a powerful message.

'Life of Pi' (hereafter 'Pi') made its debut in South Korea on the 2nd of this month at the GS Art Center. The play is based on Yann Martel's bestseller 'Life of Pi', which tells the story of a boy named Pi and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, who are stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for 227 days.

Although introduced as a musical, 'Pi' can also be seen as a play. It defies categorization into a specific genre and is simply a 'stage adaptation of a novel'. According to the dictionary, a musical should include music, singing, and choreography, but none of these elements appear in this production. Yet, the audience was filled with exclamations of admiration, thanks to the unique features and charm of 'Pi'.

Throughout the performance, 'Pi' utilizes 'puppets' (animals controlled by actors). The audience could clearly see the actors manipulating the puppets, but the realistic animal sounds and detailed muscle movements enhanced the immersion. The play meticulously depicted the atmosphere of survival of the fittest within the food chain. When the Bengal tiger 'Richard Parker' appeared, the typical intimidation of a predator was vividly portrayed, creating a chilling tension.

'Pi' won the Best Supporting Puppeteer award at an international performance in 2022 for its puppet artistry. Director Kate Rowsell emphasized during the award ceremony that "puppeteers can also be the heart of a performance."

The dynamic direction is also noteworthy. Despite the absence of musical numbers, heavy rain poured from all sides of the set, and high wave graphics surged. The sound and lighting, matching this direction, transported the audience to a hospital, India, the Philippines, and both sea and land.

The production not only captivates the audience's senses but also leaves a lingering message. The first act depicts Pi's ordeal, while the second act focuses on his survival journey. In the first act, Pi emphasizes that he is a 'vegetarian'. However, in the extreme situation of being stranded, the second act shows Pi uttering "How do I kill it?" before consuming a sea turtle for survival, alongside Richard Parker, who had become a despised creature for eating animals Pi cherished.

The play explores human survival, imagination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the hope that exists even in the darkest storms. The creators stated, "The story of love and loss, struggle and fear, pain and the unknown, and survival is not just Pi's story," adding, "The audience will also find themselves in this narrative."