Review: AFTER LIFE at Morinomiya Piloti Hall[Osaka]

“After Life" is a stage adaptation written by Jack Thorne, renowned for his work on the script of the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and based on the movie "Wonderful Life" directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. The play premiered at London's Royal National Theatre in June 2021 and received significant acclaim. Taking on the lead role is Tatsuya Ueda from KAT-TUN, with the experienced theater director, Masahiko Kawahara, at the helm.

Without darkening the theatre or ringing the opening buzzers, #2 (Tatsuya Ueda) and #4 (Rin Ohsaki) appeared on stage on time. The plenty of shoes that I thought were stones studded with on the stage. Immediate thought of them being belongings of the deceased. The two characters interact with each other, storing the shoes on shelves while maintaining a smile, creating an eerie atmosphere that leaves the audience uncertain whether to smile along or feel bewildered. 

It makes the crowds feel immersed in the story, probably because there is no distinct lighting between the stage and them. Later, when #5 (Kazuyuki Aijima) greets the audience with "Good morning," I instinctively hold back from replying, feeling as if we too have entered the world of "After Life," fully immersed in the experience and our journey begins.

As the story unfolds towards Sunday, the weekday displays become more showy, subtly suggesting the approaching end - death. The poignant expression of  #2 gazing at the full moon seen in the first act remains unforgettable, but its role as a foreshadowing for the second act was unforeseen. The intermission smoothly progresses without any blackout but the flow of the narrative, allowing for a seamless transition which blurred the border between performers, the performing, and the actual stage crew. This production does not let us take our eyes off even during the intermission with this captivating staging idea.

In the first half, #2's dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities leaves a lasting impression. Him remembering the night spent with his girlfriend under the full moon, the emotions he had suppressed burst forth, leaving the audience breathless. Contrasting his constant cheerfulness, the sudden transformation into a distraught and wailing figure was truly overwhelming. The enveloping and intense performance drew the audience further into the story. Tatsuya Ueda, who is not only an actor but also a multi-talented artist actively involved in music, variety shows, and various roles, showcased exceptional acting skills, demonstrating the evident effort and dedication behind his talent.

Those deceased led by #2 and other guides to choose their cherished memory from their past life to spend eternity in their afterlife. Those #2 and the others who couldn't make a choice within the week and became guides. The decision made by #2 elicited a line, "I never thought this would happen" from #1 (Maho Nonami), reflecting the audience's feelings of shock at the unexpected conclusion. The scene of shoes falling from the ceiling onto the stage, followed by the arrival of Monday, and the subsequent the guides collecting shoes resolves the foreshadowing seen at the beginning beautifully. The play prompts the audience to contemplate which memories they would choose and consider the various feelings and thoughts of the deceased who passed away under different circumstances, leaving a lingering impact that continues even after the journey back home. "After Life" is truly a thought-provoking production that encourages reflection on our own life. 

Photo Credit:[©️2023 The Globe Tokyo All Rights Reserved]

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