Thursday, August 27, 2015

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens - A Review of 'Black Pearl'

Having fallen in love with the Kuroshitsuji musicals, I began to research Uehara Takuya (Grell from Kuroshitsuji) and see what other productions he was involved in. While searching I found an entire YouTube playlist of Ueheara Takuya stage works, ultimately leading me to Black Pearl. With my love for Takuya immensely high already, Black Pearl would serve as a gateway to everything Uehara Takuya.

DISCLAIMERS:

  • This synopsis is both incredibly long and contains MAJOR spoilers! If you wish to watch without previous background information please skip the synopsis and go straight to the review. A link to the production can be found at the end of the review.
  • Two words: Uehara Takuya - Be Prepared!

REVIEW 3
Black Pearl


Before we can even approach the synopsis, we must first know the characters. Because there is so much character interaction throughout, it is easy to get characters mixed up with one another and become confused over what they are trying to accomplish at the present time. To reduce confusion, which may occur in the synopsis below, here is a list of the characters of Black Pearl:

Detective - One in charge of finding the culprit who stole the Black Pearl
Detectives Assistant - Prime suspect in stealing the Black Pearl; works for the detective
Vodka - Right hand to the Mafia boss, supervisor to Yomeishu and Rum
Yomeishu - Subordinate to Vodka
Rum - Subordinate to Vodka
Yuuta - Student, comes to be tutored by the Detectives Assistant
Dustin Godder Chandler - "The killer in the darkness"
Robber - In search of the Black Pearl
Tequila - Mafia Boss

Now that we know the players, let's get to the game!

Synopsis:

A precious jewel known as the Black Pearl, worth over 30 million yen, has been stolen from the Mafia boss. The following day the Mafia arrives at the detectives office and desperately searches for the jewel, convinced the detectives assistant is the one who stole it. When one of the Mafia subordinates reports that he cannot find it, the leader insists that the jewel must hidden, found and returned to Tequila, the Mafia boss. The subordinate addresses his superiors real name which sends him into a frenzy. He reminds his subordinate that all Mafia members are to address each other by the names of alcohols, as a rule set by Tequila. The subordinate apologizes and readdresses his superior as Vodka, who now satisfied, addresses his subordinates as Yomeishu and Rum. Yomeishu decides torture is the only way to make the assistant talk and begins to tickling the assistant, only to be stopped by Vodka. As Yomeishu and Run begin to fight over how to make the assistant talk, the detective returns to the office. The Mafia informs the detective that his assistant is the one who stole the Black Pearl though they, the detective and assistant, were in charge of guarding it on the night in question. Certain he couldn't have done it, the detective defends his assistant until Vodka gives the detective two options: find the culprit within five hours or be killed.

Above (left to right): Detective, Yomeishu, Vodka and Rum inform the Detective of his fate

Once the Mafia member leave, the detective begins to panic knowing between having so little time and a dimwitted assistant, he wont be able to find the culprit. Though not very bright, the assistant calms his superior down and vows to help in any way he can. The assistant then reminds the detective that today he begins his second job as a tutor and is expecting a student later at their office. The detective, focused on trying to not be killed, ignores this information. When the assistant asks if any of the detectives clients would have money for reimbursement, the detective remembers an old man who reported his parrot missing and a substantial reward for the person who could return him. The two then come up with a plan to buy a different parrot and trick the old man in order to acquire 30 million yen to pay back the Mafia. Preparing to buy the parrot, the detective leaves the office after telling his assistant not to allow anyone in the office.

The office is quiet until a man enters through the window. Also searching for the Black Pearl, he identifies himself as a robber and begins looking for the jewel. As he does this, the student appears in the office and takes the robber by surprise. Mistaking him for his tutor the student, Yuuta, addresses the robber as his teacher, leading to chaos until the assistant reenters the room. Having been discovered, the robber attempts to flee the office but is stopped by the assistant who threatens to call the police should he not identify himself. In a panic, the robber says he is a member of the FBI which has just recently begun in Japan. The robber goes on to explain that he was sent to the office to investigate reports of a mysterious radioactive wave that has been discovered there and may have something to do with ghosts. The student and detective both believe this and apologize for their rudeness towards him, stating that they will fully cooperate and allow the "agent" to search the office as they begin studying in the room next door.

Above: Yuuta (left) and Dustin Godder Chandler (right)

As the robber continues his search, another man enters the office. A mysterious, dark figure carrying a large gun, he informs the robber that he must die. Before he pulls the trigger Yuuta reenters with the assistant close behind him. The man introduces himself as Dustin Godder Chandler, who unbeknownst to all, has been hired by the Mafia to kill the detective. The assistant however mistakes him to be someone who the detective has hired to clean the office and he orders that the man begin his work immediately. Backed into a corner, the man agrees and leaves to begin cleaning. The robber resumes his search until scrambling from the room as the detective returns to the office with the parrot in hand. The detective is certain that they will be able to trick the old man, until realizing that this parrot is a different color than the one reported missing. To add to his misfortune, the bird only sings certain phrases, including TV commercials and the phrase "I love you". The two decide to put the parrot aside and begin looking for the true culprit as Vodka suddenly reappears informing them that a strange man was seen outside the Mafia boss' house. As Vodka leaves, the detective begins to panic once again until his assistant suddenly thanks him for hiring a house cleaner. Confused, the detective throws this silliness off until the student reenters upon hearing that the detective is in need of a huge sum of money. Yuuta then comes up with a plan: pretend to be kidnapped and have the detective ask for ransom from his father. When the detective asks how Yuuta could put his father through such a thing, he explains how he and his father have never gotten along and that they aren't blood. Seeing no risk, the detective agrees to the plan and begins the ransom call.

The plan works perfectly until the assistant returns. Thinking that his superior is ordering food, he attempts to give the father the address of their office but is stopped just in time by the detective. Having successfully made the call and demanded 30 million yen, the detective leaves the room to inform the student of the situation. The robber reenters still running from Dustin who believes he is the detective but before he can escape, Yomeishu and Rum return and identify him as the man seen outside Tequila's house. Drawing their guns and preparing to shoot the robber, the two get into an argument allowing the robber to slip back into the other room. Having lost the robber, Rum begins to question the possibility of someone in the Mafia family as the culprit and asks Yomeishu to run this theory by Vodka. After Rum leaves the office to go on a date, Yomeishu states that he will take full credit for the idea and leaves the office shortly thereafter.

Above: Youmeishu (left) and Rum (right) argue 

The detective returns to find that his assistant has called the number of the students father and given him the address. When he realizes that his assistant thought he was calling the pizza store all along, his anger subsides and informs his assistant that he must keep the student in the other room when the father arrives with the kidnapping ransom. By planning it perfectly, he will be able to obtain the 30 million yen and be seen as a hero. The detectives anger returns when Dustin reenters, carrying cleaning supplies, asking where the target (the detective) is. The assistant points him towards the robber in the next room as the real detective questions the assistant about who he is. The assistant explains that he was the house cleaner the detective hired and leaves the detective in a state of confusion as he returns to the other room to continue teaching his student.

Finally alone the detective bids his final farewell to life, knowing that he will run out of time before he can find the true culprit. Realizing that the kidnapping deal is still on, the detective prepares to leave until Vodka suddenly reappears. Vodka's intimidating demeanor suddenly vanishes when he asks for the detectives help in a very pressing matter. Upon asking what he can do, Vodka breaks down informing him that his son has been kidnapped. Having brought the 30 million yen random, the detective is shocked beyond words until Vodka agrees to make the matter of the Black Pearl disappear if his son is returned safely. Seeing this as another way out, the detective agrees to help even when Vodka tells him he will kill whoever is responsible. Vodka's phone rings and he panics thinking it's the kidnappers, but is surprised to find Youmeishu on the other end. His relief turns to anger as Vodka flees the office with the ransom to find Yomeishu who has gotten lost somewhere in the city.

Still in a state of shock the assistant returns to the scene spouting gibberish about his tutoring. The detective stops him and asks for his help in another matter but before the assistant can reply the robber runs through the room screaming, followed by Dustin who is madly swinging a duster. The two return to their conversation and agree that the student and father must not meet until the proper time. The assistant vows to keep the student occupied and the detective leaves as the assistant stops Dustin from chasing the "agent". When he asks Dustin about the cleaning Dustin attempts to tell him that he is actually a killer and demands to know where the target is. He introduces himself once again, this time, with the detective himself in the room who knows full well what he has come to the office to do. The detective begins to panic as we points Dustin back towards the other room, saying the detective is hiding inside. Dustin leaves the room as the detective continues to panic and Vodka and Youmeishu rush through the door.

Flustered and worried for Yuuta's life, Vodka prepares to leave the office once again and deliver the ransom but he stops when the detective suddenly offers to take it for him. Even after stating that the kidnappers may be waiting to ambush him, Vodka refuses to allow anyone other than himself to take the ransom as he is the father. The two argue for quite some time until the detective rushes away leaving Vodka and Yomeishu alone. Yomeishu takes this opportunity to tell Vodka Rums theory of the culprit being a member of the Mafia family, and blames Rum for the entire idea when Vodka becomes enraged. Vodka orders Youmeishu to continue searching for the Black Pearl, but as Yomeishu leaves to do this, Dustin returns. Knowing that Vodka cannot be the detective as the two share a similar "tough" appearance Dustin leaves Vodka alone until the detective returns. Knowing that Vodka will blow his cover, the detective tells Dustin that he saw the detective wearing a hat and tries to escape. As Dustin asks more about the target Vodka explains that he, the detective, must now take the money to the kidnappers and hands him the briefcase. The detective denies that he is who he is, enraging both Dustin and Vodka who could kill him on the spot. Just when things couldn't get any worse, the assistant returns with the student right behind him! In a panic, the assistant provides an adequate distraction as the detective rushes the student back into the other room. Pressed for time, Vodka rushes out once more to take the money. Dustin too leaves the room as the assistant tries to remedy the situation with his boss and deal with Yomeishu who has returned to the main room. Rum suddenly rushes back to the office saying that his girlfriend has given him a present: a hat. Remembering that he told Dustin the detective was wearing a hat, the detective tells Rum that he looks brilliant in it. As Yomeishu and the detective are alone in the main room, the detective notices Rum's gun left behind. He points it at Yomeishu who pulls his on the detective, followed by Dustin who pulls his gun AND the assistant who pulls his own. Before anyone fires, the detective stops them and suggests they all put their guns down at the same time. The four do this and commend themselves for such an achievement but become silent as Dustin picks up his gun once more and leaves the room.

The detective returns Rum's gun to Yomeishu who leaves to find Vodka as the assistant wanders off. Seeing that he is alone, Yuuta asks the detective about his fathers actions upon learning that he was kidnapped. When the detective tells him that he was extremely worried the student is less than moved. The detective asks why he detests his father so much, but the student leaves without saying another word. The robber returns and finally reveals his true identity as a robber who has been searching for the Black Pearl, but tired of the games, the robber gives up and leaves the office with the detectives laptop as collateral.

With the robber gone, the detective suddenly realizes what he's been missing and states that he now knows who stole the Black Pearl! Before he reveals the culprit however, Vodka and Yomeishu burst through the door still in possession of the 30 million yen random. Remembering that the detective was to take the money, Vodka hands off the ransom to the detective as Rum gives Yomeishu his hat and the assistant rushes in to help his boss. Causing more trouble, the detective runs out of the room again to make another kidnapping call. As Yomeishu attempts to calm Vodka, Vodka receives another call from the kidnappers who tell him to wait 30 minutes before taking the money. Somewhat calmer, Vodka reminds Yomeishu that his job is to find the Black Pearl and if he is able to do this he will increase his rank both in his alcoholic name and in status. He will go from a subordinate, to a detective. Yomeishu is overjoyed with this idea and rushes off to find the jewel as the detective returns.

Above: Youmeishu utters his last words

The detective and Vodka argue over taking the money as the assistant and Dustin rush in. When Dustin introduces himself for the fourth or fifth time and begs to know who the target it, the room freezes as all eyes turn to Vodka. Confessing that he never caught who the target was, Vodka chews out Dustin for his stupidity. As Dustin raises his gun to shoot Vodka, Yuuta once again rushes back into the room. The detective and assistant shield him so Vodka cannot see his son, but Vodka commands they move aside. Still holding the duster the assistant uses it to disguise Yuuta and Vodka believes this young man to be a foreigner. As the student rushes away and Dustin once again demands to know who the detective is, Yomeishu bursts through the door exclaiming that the detective is himself. Dustin shoots and Vodka calls out to his subordinate, now called Amazake, as he lays on the floor and finally dies in his arms. Furious, Vodka raises his own gun to shoot Dustin but is stopped by the detective who points out that the bullet Dustin fired only hit the nearby painting on the wall. The group watches as Yomeishu, unharmed, sits up and laughs about the situation. All eyes then turn to Dustin, who explains that he is not a killer but instead is in charge of management for a "killer" company. He apologizes to the detective for the trouble and before leaving the office thanks the assistant for teaching him how fun cleaning could be.

Above: Vodka (Takuya) raises his gun

Left alone with just the Mafia members, the detective is finally ready to reveal the true culprit who stole the Black Pearl. Close to Tequila on the night in question and able to cause a blackout at the time it was stolen, the detective reveals that all facts point to Yomeishu. Vodka orders Rum to take Yomeishu away to Tequila as he draws his gun on the detective and his assistant. Now realizing that they were the ones who kidnapped his son in order to obtain the reimbursement for the jewel, Vodka prepares to kill both the detective and his assistant, but he halts when Yuuta throws himself in front of his gun. Vodka lowers his weapon as Yuuta explains that he came up with this plan to teach him a lesson. He further explains how his father first worked for an electronics company before becoming a member of the Mafia to earn money for his mothers operation fee. After joining the Mafia his father stopped seeing his mother out of embarrassment, though she asked about him continuously. Unsure of what to say Yuuta would tell his mother how his father had invented a new electronic device which was able to bring in so much money, and from that day on his mother had to own one. To ensure this would happen, she began to watch Japanese TV shopping channels. Still seeing she was lonely Yuuta bought her a parrot, but after her passing sold it to a pet store. The detective stops Yuuta's story to inform him that after searching for the parrot, the bird itself is in their very office. As the assistant rushes back with the parrot, it addresses Vodka: I love you. Realizing this is his wife's final love letter, Vodka collects the money and informs Yuuta that he will give it to Tequila and save Youmeishu as his last job for the Mafia. Before he can leave, Yuuta addresses him again - not as Vodka, but father. Vodka stops dead in his tracks and leaves allowing Yuuta to come with him. Yuuta thanks the assistant and detective before following his father out, with the parrot in hand.

The detective and assistant are alone once more. The detective rejoices in the fact that he is still alive and that they were able to solve the case. The assistant however, is not quite satisfied. Finding holes in his superiors story, the assistant realizes that Youmeishu couldn't have stolen the jewel. As he remembers comments and remarks made by all the people in the office that day, the assistant deducts that the only one who could have stolen the jewel was the detective himself. The detective laughs as he breaks apart the computer mouse left on his desk and removes the Black Pearl from inside. The assistant stands stunned as the detective continues to laugh until the stage is finally blacked out.          

REVIEW

Interestingly, all of the actors from Black Pearl belong to the same Japanese talent agency, Amuse, who backed and produced the play. This group of actors have worked on various projects together and have become well known both in Japan and overseas for their various involvement and performances. Nevertheless, the actors of Black Pearl are the driving force behind this hilarious, slap-stick comedy.

The Cast:
Detective (Takizawa) - Yanagisawa Takahiko
Detectives Assist - Hirama Soichi
Vodka - Uehara Takuya
Yomeishu - Aiyagi Ruito
Rum - Yoshizawa Ryo
Yuuta - Sakamoto Shogo
Dustin Godder Chandler - Mizuta Kouki
Robber - Yoshimura Takuya

Casting & Individual Performances:

It all points to the detective and his somewhat incompetent assistant. The actor playing the panicking detective does wonderfully, as he is able to pull off the physical comedy and change his attitude at the drop of a hat. Always by his side, his assistants actor does splendidly as the consistent comic relief of the play. Their energies together made the play very enjoyable as they struggle to solve the case, save their lives and deal with the various circumstances that come their way.

Secondary, but not inferior to the two leads, are the Mafia members: Vodka, Youmeishu and Rum. All under the eye of the Mafia boss Tequila, these three are tasked with finding the Black Pearl or disposing of the detectives if necessary. All three gave great performances, but Takuya's presence as the head Mafia subordinate Vodka stood out. Knowing Takuya's full comedic abilities after seeing him play Grell Sutcliff, I was pleased to see Takuya in such a rhompus comedy playing a character who must battle various emotions. Takuya's comedic timing and simultaneous ability to be a complete Mafia badass added much to the performance as a whole. It goes without saying that the Takuya love continues to grow.

Set, Costumes & Score:

Unlike Kuroshitsuji, the set, costumes and score for Black Pearl were very simple and minimalist. The Mafia members dressed in hard colors making them appear intimidating while the detectives and other character dressed like your typical "everyday" people. Much like its literal costumes, the set was also very simple and literal. With the stage made to look like the main room and one stage exit to represent the second room in the office, it allowed the actors to move about freely and make the audience may close attention to who was going where at what time. Because Black Pearl is all about timing, a set that allowed the actors to move around and make this timing perfect was absolutely necessary and well done. Unlike Kuroshitsuji, the score for Black Pearl was pretty much none existent. That being said, the opening theme played when introducing the actors and the music played at the very end of the performance were very effective.

Final Thoughts:

The entire cast of characters was unique and absolutely hilarious, reminded me somewhat of 'Noises Off' (minus all the doors). The show took turns that I was not expecting and had me laughing from start to finish. For any theater lover, I would highly recommend Black Pearl.

Black Pearl with English Subtitles

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