Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Hit immersive show Pirates of the Pearl has been rebooted, inviting you once again into a world of swashbuckling adventures, back-stabbing intrigue, aerial performances, and sea shanties.
Engage with a cast of 20 charismatic pirates, solve puzzles, and navigate treacherous waters as you become an integral part of the narrative.
Leave the landlubber life behind, crack open a bottle of rum to ready those sea legs, and get ready to set sail!
Eric Paci and Brian Wang are the co-director/co-producer partnership behind the show. We reached out to them to find out more...
Eric Paci
I moved to Shanghai from the Boston area and have lived in Shanghai since 2012. I have been involved in the local expat theater scene since I arrived.
I have directed shows ranging from Glengarry Glen Ross to Reservoir Dogs and performed in many other shows.
Playing Prince Humperdink in The Princess Bride is one of my favorite roles and served as a major inspiration.
This is the fifth immersive show that Brian and I have developed together. The first was Ship of Dreams: The Titanic Experience, which took place on a boat that sailed along the Bund throughout the performance.
A few years ago, we teamed up with The Pearl to bring Moulin Dream to the stage. After two runs of Moulin Dream and devising the original Pirates of the Pearl, we have now developed an even bigger show with great characters, set, and costumes.
This is a complete reimagining of the concept, as well as the main characters and plots. The Pearl is the perfect venue for bringing our truly unique style of immersive theater to our audiences.
Brian Wang
Arriving in Shanghai in 2011, I met Eric Paci when we acted together in a memorable theater adaptation of Fight Club at the old Arkham nightclub.
We have since collaborated on over a dozen theater shows in Shanghai, including The Princess Bride, Hamlet, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Reservoir Dogs.
We team up to both focus on the big picture and overall audience experience as well as the many complex details and ensure that our collective dreams come to life.
When did you first conceive of the Pirates of the Pearl show?
The first conversations about an immersive pirate show took place on our Titanic boat eight years ago. It was fun being on a boat modeled after an old junk boat, sailing on the Huangpu four nights a week.
During a celebration after our last show, we all just started talking like pirates. And in 2023 we were able to bring our initial pirate show to the stage.
We have now reimagined the show and have taken all the lessons learned in past productions to make our most developed immersive experience yet.
Christy Blanco's set design has turned the Pearl into a pirate bar, and Andrea Salazar's costume designs have brought our pirates to life.
What is the premise of the show?
The show is built around the inaugural night of the formation of the Republic of Pirates, a democratic society in a time of tyranny and imperialism. This night marks the drafting of the Pirate Code and the establishment of rules for pirating.
The story is a tangled web of power struggles, love, betrayal, revenge, and adventure amongst different pirate factions.
It revolves around King Pirate and Princess Pirate of the Purple Fleet, Zheng Yi and Ching Shih of the Red Fleet, and Jack Sparrow of the Gold Fleet, each with their unique motivations, allies, and rivals.
What has been updated for the new show?
We simplified the amount of fleets to just Purple, Gold and Red, making for a simplified storyline for the audience to follow. Jack Sparrow also plays a larger role as he is running in the election this time.
The show is now bilingual with two emcees who introduce the storyline in both English and Chinese.
There are six different possible endings to the show depending on how the audience votes.
The treasure hunt has also been completely reimagined and gets those audience members who are up for a treasure hunt much more involved.
So, tell us more about what can people expect?
An immersive, multi-sensory experience that will transport you to the world of pirates.
Participants will be part of an epic adventure filled with intrigue, sword fights, gambling, and romance. There will be music, dance, and of course, plenty of pirate shenanigans.
With over 20 pirates, a half dozen dancers, and aerial performances, there is something for everyone that attends.
The narrative unfolds through interactions with the performers and exploration of the setting, allowing participants to influence the storyline and become part of the spectacle.
Every performance is different as audience members often dress in costume and develop their own plots and help shape the actions of the actors in the show.
So it truly is an immersive show...
Yes, the audience isn't just observing the action from a distance; they become active participants in the narrative.
The entire venue is the stage, and the audience can move freely, interacting with the performers and the environment.
The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, and the audience can choose their own path through the story, leading to a unique experience for each participant.
Direct Interaction with Characters: Audience members have the opportunity to interact with the characters in the show. This could involve conversations, being asked to perform tasks, or even becoming a temporary part of the storyline. The characters react and respond to audience members, making each interaction unique.
Choose Your Own Adventure: The storyline is non-linear, allowing audience members to choose their own paths through the narrative. This could mean deciding to follow a certain character, choosing to explore different parts of the venue, or making choices that affect the story's outcome.
Physical Environment: The environment itself is interactive. This may mean finding hidden clues or items, interacting with set pieces, or discovering secret scenes. The venue is designed to be explored and will reward curious audience members with additional layers of the story.
Participation in Activities: There are various activities that audience members can participate in throughout the show. This could include dancing with a group of jovial pirates, joining a card game, or becoming a member of one of the pirate fleets to help them rise to power.
Costume and Role-Playing: Audience members are encouraged to dress as pirates and play along. This could mean adopting a pirate accent, creating a pirate persona, or even pretending to be part of a pirate crew.
Decision Making: Audience members may be asked to make decisions that affect the outcome of the story. This could mean choosing sides in a pirate feud, deciding whether to reveal a secret, or voting on the Pirate Code.
These interactive elements are designed to blur the line between performer and audience, creating a deeply engaging and personal experience.
Each audience member's experience of the show will be unique, shaped by their own decisions and interactions.
And you are encouraging people to dress up?
Absolutely! Dressing up adds to the immersive quality of the experience and helps the audience to feel like they're part of the pirate world.
We encourage everyone to come decked out in their pirate finery. However, it's not mandatory, and we welcome everyone, whether they choose to dress up or not.
Who is your favorite character?
It's tough to choose a favorite, as I love all our characters for their distinct personalities and motivations. However, I do find the Handsome Hank and Little John combination quite endearing, as well as Nathanaël and the Sirens.
New to the show, Handsome Hank commands attention as the charismatic ventriloquist pirate, wielding his puppet 'Little John' as both entertainment and secret weapon.
With a silver tongue and theatrical flair, he extracts information from unsuspecting patrons while Little John often 'accidentally' reveals scandalous secrets about the fleet leaders.
Watch how this duo's seemingly innocent shows become crucial intelligence-gathering operations that could tip the balance of power within the pirate republic.
Nathanaël—another new character—stands out as a passionate storyteller and collector of maritime folklore, particularly fascinated with the legends and mysteries surrounding Sirens.
His earnest enthusiasm for supernatural tales draws audiences into the deeper mythological aspects of the pirate world.
As events unfold, Nathanaël's extensive knowledge of legends may prove more relevant than anyone initially suspects, placing this seemingly peripheral character in a position to influence key moments in unexpected ways.
The sirens themselves are very alluring characters who enchant guests with their beauty and dancing. They're so compelling to watch and have a deep, rich backstory.
Will there be any sea shanties being sung?
Yes, definitely! What is a pirate show without sea shanties?
Our talented musical team has created a fantastic score for the show, which includes traditional sea shanties, modern Chinese and English pop songs, opera, and original compositions.
There's an all-new edgier song arrangement for the latest show that is more cohesive and includes several popular Chinese songs.
The music is central to the atmosphere, and we hope it will have the audience humming along.
Finally, why should people come out and see the show?
Pirates of the Pearl offers something genuinely unique in today's entertainment landscape—a chance to step directly into a thrilling pirate saga where your choices actually matter.
Unlike passive theatrical experiences, this immersive production puts you at the center of political intrigue, supernatural mystery, and high seas drama.
The show transforms multiple spaces into a living pirate world where you can try your luck at the casino, witness secret negotiations between rival captains, and even influence the fate of the Pirate Republic.
Fans of intricate storytelling will appreciate how the tale unfolds differently depending on where you choose to explore—you might witness Princess Pirate's desperate bid for power, discover Zheng Yi's dark supernatural secret, or find yourself recruited into Jack Sparrow's scheming machinations.
What truly sets Pirates of the Pearl apart is its blend of theatrical spectacle with genuine agency. Will you align with the traditional Purple Fleet, the ambitious Red Fleet, or the opportunistic Gold Fleet?
The characters remember your choices and react accordingly, creating a personalized adventure that changes with each show.
With captivating performances, impressive period costumes, intricate set design, and an original score that enhances the maritime atmosphere, this production delivers an unforgettable journey into a world where pirate democracy meets magical folklore.
Whether you're drawn to the political power struggles, the supernatural elements involving mysterious Sirens, or simply the chance to experience an innovative form of interactive theater, Pirates of the Pearl promises a bold adventure that will have you talking long after you leave the theater.
Pirates of the Pearl
The new, reimagined Pirates of the Pearl is running for just two more nights, Saturday May 17 and 24, so book now to avoid missing out!
Click below to get your tickets now:
Sat May 17 & 24, 7.30pm; RMB388
The Pearl 471 Zhapu Lu, by Wujin Lu 乍浦路471号, 近武进路
No comments:
Post a Comment