Playwright/director Kuro Tanino returns to OzAsia with the Australian premiere of his new work ‘The Dark Master’.
An eclectic mix of comedy and drama ‘The Dark Master’ takes audiences into a strange world which explores the emotional and physical limits of the human psyche.
Koichiro F.O. Pereira stars as a young man whose life is changed dramatically when he sets foot inside a timeworn restaurant. Koichiro delivers an entertainingly energetic performance which perfectly captures the awkwardness and hilarity of his character’s situation.
Susumu Ogata delivers an impressive performance as the master and while his physical time on stage is limited, he remains a constant and foreboding presence thanks to the headphones which allow the audience to listen in on his every command. There is something unnerving about listening in on a conversation and as the performance goes on, the master reveals himself to be a man of unusual quirks; which can lead to some uncomfortable listening moments.
‘The Dark Master’ is a multifaceted performance which uses several techniques to enhance the viewing experience. Along with the headphones, cameras are used to track the actors from multiple angles and the footage is displayed on a large overhead screen, allowing the audience to see the finer details of the characters' actions and reactions.
All food featured in the show is prepared live on stage by the actors and with each meal the master and young man prepare, the audience is treated to a host of tantalising aromas which will have your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling. The footage from the cameras above allow the audience to see the chefs at work and this combined with the smells, the sounds of pots and pans rattling, and the chatter of patrons, creates an authentic restaurant atmosphere. The sound of the master rattling off ingredients and cooking instructions at times reminded me of a reality cooking show.
‘The Dark Master’ features an intricately-designed stage – from the individual wood grains of the servery to the faint hints of rust on the bottom of the pans, the cracks in the brick walls and the faded colours of an old poster – no detail was overlooked and the result is a truly stunning set which looks more restaurant than stage.
