The Victoria Albert Museum had very shocking pieces. Everything in that museum was interesting and represented a profound cultural moment. I wish we had seen some Shakespeare while we were here, because there were so many historical pieces I was obsessed with. For example, there were costumes worn by Lawrence Olivier and Judi Dench for their Shakespearean performances. However, the most interesting piece to me was the War Horse puppet and costumes. I’ve never seen the show, but its puppetry has no doubt paved the way for other theater works. The team who worked on the puppet of Richard Parker won an Olivier award for their performance. Indeed, the puppets for that show were phenomenal. I haven’t seen War Horse so I can’t know what that theatrical experience was like, but Life of Pi was something I never imagined could be possible on stage. The acting, both animal and human, was amazing. There was a technical bit with the hyena and the rat that made me smile. The hyena snaps up the rat in a fluid motion. In fact it’s the puppeteer playing the hyena lifting the rat with his other hand into the mouth of the canine. There were so many moments that defined the animals as real characters. The subtlety of Richard Parker’s movements. The way his relationship to Pi changes. The ultimate moment when Pi tames him which was the greatest moment in theater I had ever seen. Perhaps will
Another tie-in to Life of Pi from the Victoria Albert museum was the connection to God. Pi’s character is interesting because of how his relationship to his faith changes throughout the action of the play. The museum contains many works of Christianity and Islam, both of which Pi subscribes to. The VA museum had some of the most beautiful stained glass I had ever seen. They reminded me of how the stage floor of Life of Pi was divided. I couldn’t tell if it was how the stage itself was fractured or a lighting trick or both, but the stage floor was divided in curves and edges that reminded me of stained glass.
Life of Pi was a beautiful show. One of the most interesting parts of the show is when Pi compromises his third belief, Hinduism, in order to survive. He eats alongside Richard Parker, his animal ideal to show that he has taken another step in transforming into this creature. The VA museum had a noticeable lack of Hindu objects.
Another piece that I loved were the three lions. Their posture and relationship establish them as members of a pride. They reminded me of the proud Richard Parker. I wish I could climb on them. Disappointed.
Theatre in London U of A 