Passion for Life of Pi production

MARK FISHER TALKS TO LIFE OF PI’S AND

AS CAREER choices go, a puppeteer is an unusual way to make a living and yet it has become increasingly popular in theatre productions in recent years . Mark Fisher talks to Romina Hytten (heart and hind) and Akash Heer (head) about becoming Richard Parker in the Life of Pi which comes to Hull New Theatre from March 26 -30.

ROMINA HYTTEN AKASH HEER

Q: HOW DO YOU FIND YOURSELF PLAYING PART OF A TIGER?

Akash: “When I got the part I was excited but also shocked because I’m an actor.

“Movement was an important part of my training, but everything I’ve done has been acting.

“I auditioned for some of the characters in Life of Pi and took part in a movement workshop and then they invited me back for a puppetry audition. I was quite surprised, but they really liked my movement.

“The audition was so much fun. To see the passion they all had for this production made it more exciting.

“Normally you have audition nerves, but I was just honoured to be in this space and to learn different techniques.

“I would leave the auditions revved up and wanting to continue. The energy in the room was electric.”

Q: IS IT LIKE PLAYING A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? DO YOU HAVE TO MASTER THE NOTES BEFORE ADDING YOUR OWN INTERPRETATION?

Romina: “Yes. It is incredibly technical when you first pick up a puppet.

“You have to learn to move in specific ways.

“This show is very physical and you have to train your body to cope.

“You have to learn to breathe and to be the tiger. After you’ve learned all of that and your brain is exploding, you get to a point when you know your teammates so well you can read their minds.

“You can improvise on stage and that’s so beautiful. “That’s when the tiger comes to life.”

Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS TEAMWORK?

Akash: “It’s three different bodies but you sync and connect with breath.

“When the breath beats through to the heart and the hind only then do I feel truly connected.

“You feel you have connected to two other souls and you are in charge of this beast.

“You walk forward, you pause, you react, you attack and when everything syncs up it’s such an exhilarating feeling.”

■■Life of Pi is at Hull New Theatre from March 26 - 30, tickets on sale now via the box office, over the phone on 01482 300 306 or online at www.hulltheatres.co.uk