Pirates of Shenzhen

Shenzhen, China

Objective: Create a Theatrical Entertainment Experience as a component of the midweek "decompression" party for a conference of high-end hoteliers and surprise them with it.

On arrival and the first tour of the InterContinental Shenzhen, the theme for the event was eminently evident. Given that the entire property is themed to The Spanish Main, and that all primary bodies and pools of water at the hotel were enhanced with the presence of scale models of beautiful Spanish Galleons; it was practically unavoidable that whatever we created would feature historic, oceanic icons.

Considering the spectrum of possibility from Christopher Columbus to Vasco da Gama to Ponce de Leon to Johnny Depp; the answer was clear. Thus was born "Pirates of Shenzhen."

The Party, itself, was to take place around and within the largest of the Galleons, a full-scale 50-foot high, fully detailed replica of said Spanish Galleons; "afloat" in the large pool on the highest level of the hotel, encompassing three decks and housing the property's Night Club. Our audience was 500 owners and General Managers of InterContinental Hotels from Asia and the Pacific Rim.

The concept developed was that of a crew of Evil Pirates capturing our Conference ChairDamsel and threatening to rob and pillage the watching throng, all to be rescued by a crew of Good Pirates who then grant the crowd Honorary Pirate status and welcome them to the party and into the Night Club.

The challenges were significant:

• how to rehearse a show in a public space without letting the "public" know that there was to be a show, at all...
• how to cast a "western"-style pirate show in Asia with predominantly non-English Speaking talent...
• how to surprise and thrill a sophisticated audience on a tight budget; giving them a full Spectacle Experience

Upon writing and being given approval of the Script by the Conference Committee; the work began, in earnest. In order to set-up the experience and begin putting the heads of our guests into the theme of the evening before leaving their rooms, we arranged for each guest to find in their rooms a miniature Treasure Chest. Made of wood and looking authentic...though quite small...these chests contained Treasure that included a bandanna suitable for head or neck, an eye patch to fit left or right eye and frighten the unsuspecting tourist, and a heavy, bronze-like medallion with one of a number of different designs stamped thereon to adorn and enhance the bosom or chest of the wearer.

The idea was to create the impression that this was it; a simple, Pirate-themed party on the deck around the Galleon; with food stations everywhere and dancing, inside. Our little spectacle would be a complete surprise.

We were lucky to find two, exceptionally-talented, English-speaking actors as our Pirate Captains. Robert Tsonos of Hong Kong and Robert Vicencio of Shanghai. These two professionals embraced the concept and did deep research in the personification of the lusty, hearty and bold Pirate Protagonist.

Envisioning a pirate battle that encompassed the entire galleon, from scaling the hull to flying duels atop the rigging, we approached two, iconic troupes for our cast. We found 14 ideal acrobats from the Shanhai-based Sichuan Circus, augmenting these astonishingly talented young people with 6 Shaolin Monk apprentices from Shenzhen. Our circus acrobats ranged in age from 16 to 18, and our monks were from 18 to 25: all, extremely skilled, none of whom speak English.

Directing by Interpreter was a new experience for both Director and Cast; but we managed well, with the enthusiastic embracing of Becoming a Pirate by all concerned.

On the first day, as Ozier, the Director, was huddled with the Shaolin Choreographer, their Manager and our Interpretor, attempting to communicate the initial problem of rigging ropes to hang off the rail and down the hull of the galleon for the six monks to grab to support their initial scaling of the ship, we realized how far the infectious enthusiasm was going to help us to go. After much intense conversation and translation among the four, not noticing that the six monks had wandered over to the galleon, Ozier glanced up to see that they had just completed scaling the sides of the ship with their bare hands, and were sitting on the railing, 50 feet in the air. Problem solved. These guys were good!

We rigged with rope, anyway, for the sake of authenticity and to support hanging battles off the side of the ship; but we knew we had the talent to accomplish what we envisioned.

The ensuing two days would be full of hushed walkthroughs and acrobatic rehearsals timed so that no one would see what was taking place. The key, now, was to make them into Pirates.

You can dress a man as Pirate; but can you make him "Yaaarrrrrgggghhhh!"?

As it turned out, we could. Taking the cast into a remote corner, along with the interpreter, Ozier began the task of emboldening the normally-conservative Chinese youth such that each could learn to growl a loud and powerful, resonant "Yaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!," on cue. This took some time and some doing, but with the encouragement of Ozier and among the growing laughs of the cast, we got there.

Several times, in the two days prior to the event, as other duties and events were being met and delivered (our cast doubled as dancers in another show of the week, and as acrobats at the Welcoming Reception; thus, their presence did not tip our Big Hand), Ozier Pirates of Shenzhen Case Study Page 3 8/12/09 : 10:26 AM would stop what he was doing, look the cast in the eye and hold up his fingers, ...one...two...three! A loud "YAAAARRRRGGGHHH" would be the response, as the kids become more and more comfortable in yelling at full volume in front of others.

The evening arrived, the deck opened and the Pirate-coutured guests arrived, right on schedule. As the outdoor deck, surrounding the pool and galleon, filled with guests, music, food and drink, suddenly there was a piercing scream that filled the air and stunned the guests to silence. As the scream reached its apex, a "body" (fully-dressed, soft mannequin) was thrown from the upper deck of the Galleon to splash into the "lagoon," below.

The Evil Captain appeared with our bosom-revealing bodice clad ChairDamsel bound and held by two henchmen and proceeded to threaten the crowd with keelhauling and plankwalking if they did not surrender their valuables. Punctuated by successive choruses of "Yaargh" from his crew, he was suddenly interrupted by even louder "Yaaarghs" from the Rescuing Pirates and the battle began (script, below].

The eight-minute, fully choreographed, scriped and pirate-music scored show, followed to the cheers and gasps of the watching throng. At the end, having vanquished the Bad Pirates, our Rescuing Captain freed our ChairDamsel and invited the guests to enter the Galleon for jig, grog and feast for the rest of the evening. One final thing remained before the doors would open; the entire group had to "Yaaaaarrrrghhh" loudly enough and forcefully enough to become Honorary Pirates.

"Yaaarrrrgh" after "Yaaaarrrrggghhh" boomed from the guests as they enthusiastically embraced their new Pirate-hood.The evening was a fully resounding success...

So much so that, at the following evening's formal banquet, one could hear table after table competing with one another with their "Yaarrrghh's" giving new texture to the night. There were even a few "Yaaarrrghhh's" heard at the airport, on Departure...

The Script: Shao-Lin Pirates of Shenzhen

Synopsis

Calypso music wafts through the air above the hum of pleasant conversation and the gentle clink of icy cocktails while waiters pass amongst the guests, offering delicacies from the Caribbean. Looming over the tranquil scene is the majestic Galleon, brightly lit as it floats at rest, gently nudging the adjacent dock...

Suddenly, a piercing scream comes from the deck of The Galleon; and the crowd gasps as a body flies over the rail to fall into the lagoon, below. All eyes are riveted on the stern of the ship... The boom of a cadre of drums reverberates though the air, as the imposing figure of a Pirate Captain appears on the Afterdeck, holding a struggling, rope-bound figure...

"Pay attention to me, Swabbies; yer a buncha landlubbers, just waitin' t'be keelhauled, y'know..."

Appearing behind the Captain are the dozen, fierce-looking pirates of his crew. Swords in hand, these yellow-shirted villains flank the captain and populate the deck; shaking their weapons at the crowd, below...

The Pirate Captain bellows, calling for any man or woman to challenge his supremacy.

"Listen up, landlubbers; we own the seas an' we want nay trouble from th'likes o'you! We be havin' insurance that ye`ll stay away an' let us do what we want...so stand aft, an' nay one'll get hurt!"

"Oh my GOD," shouts someone in the crowd, "he's got Liz Collison, up there!" Sure enough, the bound person on the afterdeck is the Conference Chair, herself, in the clutches of this band of Evil Pirates. The merchant ship has been overtaken by a rogue band, and it looks as though the Pirates have the upper hand.

"Quiet!"

The Pirate Captain orders the crowd to silence...

"This lass be me insurance that ye all will nay be gettin' in th' way o' me crew as we do some pillagin' from ye swabbies. So, be ready t' empty yer pockets as me men come down thar t' collect our taxes from ye!"

"Any resistance from th' crowd will mean this lady walks th' plank into th' cold, dark waters an' Davy Jones' Locker! If ye erewant t' be seein' th' lass' again, ye will all remain quiet an' docile until we sail away wi' our booty. If thar's nay trouble, we'll be send th' lass' aft t' ye by return mail"

A gasp runs through the crowd...how will they save her; or, are they doomed to watch the Pirates sail away with her...?

Just as the realization hits the crowd and their eyes are riveted on their endangered Chair, suddenly, another cry erupts; this time, from among the gathered guests...as a phalanx of brilliantly red-shirted fighters charges to the fore.

"We'll be havin' none o' that tomfoolery, ye sea dog scallywag!"

Shouts the Captain of the Rescuers...

"Me, me men an' these good folks, here, be takin' aft starboardful ownership by force if ye don't release that lass an' give 'er up by th' time I count t' five!"

The Pirate Captain is having none of it...

Y"ou think, fer a minute, that ye can best me an' me crew? We own th' seas, ye bilge rat; ye haven`t got a chance against us!"

The Band of Protectors have placed themselves, incognito, amongst the crowd; ready to prepare the guests to join them in the rescue of Ms. Collison.

"You`re a fool if ye think that ye be havin' a chance o' gettin' away wi' this, ye has-been swashbuckler... Me men be th' best in this land, an' can scale th' hull o' yer puny galleon in th' space o' an instant an' avast ye in yer scurvy tracks!"

The Pirate Captain laughs, and his men join him in mocking the Rescuers with hoots and jeers...as the Rescuers spread through the crowd, encouraging them to join them in the count...

"ONE!.... TWO!.... THREE!.... FOUR!... "

As the Pirates continue their derisive epithets, the Band of Protectors begins to storm the Galleon...

"FIVE! Here we come, ye bilge rat. We takin' aft th' vessel an' all yer dubloon an' sil'er -- an' ye won`t be enjoyin' th' company o' any sweet lass fer a long, long time; once I`ve seen t' 't that ye be tossed into jail an' th' key be thrown away. `Tis that, or th' Locker o' Davy Jones fer ye, ye lily-livered scallywag!"

A roar emanates from the crowd as the Band of Protectors races to attack and reclaim the Galleon and rescue the Fair Ms. Collison. They climb the sides of the ship and engage the Pirates in some fantastic fighting.

"Aaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhh...!"

Shouts the Pirate Captain, as the galleon is stormed...

Swords ring out in the conflict, the boom and smoke of pistol and musket fire fill the air...cannonballs splash into the lagoon as the battle rages all over the ship. Shao-Lin to Shao-Lin, Pirate to Pirate, the upper decks are alive with the pitched battle as fighters leap from place to place and engage one another in individual contests of strength and acrobatic agility in this rescue...

The battle climbs up, into the rigging and the crow's nest; finally, all eyes are on the two men, fighting one another, at the railing -- the Pirate Captain and the leader of the Band of Protectors are face-to-face.

The music builds, the fighting becomes more fierce, and finally, as the music crests, the Pirate Captain is vanquished....

The Leader leaps to the deck and unties Liz and they join hands, holding them high in the air,

"Avast, me heartys, we've vanquished th' scurvy rats o' th' sea an' th' victory be ours, once again! Come aboard me ship an' join us all in th' celebration o' our victory an' th' punishment o' these wicked rapscallions. By th' time we're finished wi' this lot, these rascals'll be havin' a lot o' time t' think before they choose t' take on th' likes o' me an' me men, again!

"We've vanquished the blackguards, and 'tis time we be gatherin' and celebratin' and drinkin' up! "

"But first, in honor o' International Talk Like a Shipmate Tide, I want t' hear all o' ye shout like a Shipmate!"

He begins the cheer; as all the Pirates and Protectors cheer, along with him - the Leader challenges the crowd...

"Let's hear 't from ye, our Victory Cheer! Arrrrrrrggggghhhhh!"

He and his crew coax the crowd in the "Arrrrrggggghhhh" cheer until the entire crowd is shouting "Arrrrgggggh," "Arrrrgggggh," "Arrrrgggggh," "Arrrrgggggh!" in unison.

As they reach their loudest, the doors of the Galleon burst open in a cloud of smoke, and a group of the actors signals to the crowd to enter...

The dancing begins and in moments the party is in Full Swing...

All in all, it is a wonderful evening; full of sights and sounds of the Ancient Seas. The guests depart, exhausted and thrilled; this is not what had been expected, at all.