Lifelike puppets capture the spirit of ‘Life of Pi’ on stage at the Orpheum
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On stage now in Minneapolis, audiences can witness the whimsical world of “Life of Pi.” Adapted from the bestselling book by Yann Martel, the play hits on themes of survival and philosophy.
“I like to call it a theatrical event,” resident director Jon Hoche said.
“It’s not a musical, and it’s not a kitchen sink play,” Hoche added, referring to the social realism style of certain plays. “But [“Life of Pi’] has the spectacle of a big budget musical, and it’s got the gravitas and the incredible acting of a kitchen sink play.”
In the show, Pi Patel is set adrift in the Pacific Ocean after a cargo ship goes down. At first he is joined on the lifeboat by several animal companions, but eventually only Pi and a Bengal tiger remain.
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“The show is a beautiful reflection about resilience of the human spirit,” said Taha Mandviwala who plays Pi in the tour. “For others, it could be a reflection about your own relationship with faith and spirituality.”
“Life of Pi” was recognized with three Tony Awards for its design elements. Like other touring productions that have stopped in Minnesota, animal puppets convey a sense of magic. Mandviwala describes acting opposite the puppets as “playing pretend at the zenith level.”
“We’re not trying to ‘Disney-fy' the animals. We’re really trying to give it that sense of danger and high stakes.”
There may be moments in the show that are too intense for younger children.
If there is a star puppet, it’s Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger that acts as both a companion and adversary to Pi on his journey. The tiger is operated by three puppeteers who control the head, body and hind quarters.
“There’s a technical element for each of those positions, and then also an emotional element that they bring to the tiger,” said Betsy Rosen, the production’s assistant puppetry and movement director. She is also one of the puppeteers for Richard Parker at certain performances.
The sounds of the puppets — like Richard Parker’s roars — are also provided by the puppeteers.
“They make all of the sounds live, so all of the sounds for all of the animals,” Rosen said.
Resident director Hoche describes the work of the puppeteers as an “ensemble-based art form.”
“You have to find ways to just remove all ego from what you’re doing and really put the character first, and that is a little more difficult when there are three different people having to join together to have one mindset,” Hoche said.
“Life of Pi” runs through Sunday, March 9 at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis.
