White Pearl

A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

White Pearl

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  5w, 1m

In Singapore, Clearday™ has developed from a small startup into a leading international cosmetic brand. But when a draft of the company's latest skin cream advert is leaked, the video goes viral for all the wrong reasons.

Image: 2019 Royal Court Theatre Production (Tristram Kenton)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Suggested Use
    • Scene Work
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

“It's just a fun ad. Now the whole world is going crazy.”

In Singapore, Clearday™ has developed from a small startup into a leading international cosmetic brand in less than a year. But when a draft of the company’s latest skin cream advert is leaked, the video goes viral globally for all the wrong reasons.

YouTube views are in the thousands and keep climbing; anger is building on social media; and journalists are starting to cover the story. This is an international PR nightmare; the company cannot be seen to be racist, they’ve got to get it taken down before America wakes up.

History
White Pearl had a rolling world premiere in three locations around the globe: in May 2019 at the Royal Court Theatre (London) under the direction of Nana Dakin, in October 2019 at Sydney Theatre Company (Sydney) under the direction of Priscilla Jackman, and in November 2019 at Studio Theatre (Washington, D.C.) under the direction of Desdemona Chiang.
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting Clearday™ Headquarters, Singapore.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Multimedia
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“A bracingly funny corporate satire.” – The Guardian

“King’s play brings a ruthless clarity to each line of dialogue – the writing ricochets effortlessly between its characters...King’s assured approach to her female characters – equally magnetic as they are spiky – reflects exactly what makes her play so riveting: the unapologetic display of blemishes and imperfections.” – Time Out

“White Pearl is a little gem. In 90 minutes [it] takes on a wide range of subjects: Corporate hypocrisy, the base values of the beauty business, the frenzy of social media and, not least, mutual suspicion between westernised and homeland Asians.” – The Guardian

White Pearl makes a case that those seeking to make inroads into the Far East, perceiving a new El Dorado, are no better that colonial conquistadors of an earlier age — and entirely unequipped to understand the specifics of a complex cultural region.” – Variety London

“A scathing, gleefully nasty corporate satire” – The Stage

“It has a boldness, ambition and acerbic humour on a scale that makes you sit up and pay attention.” – Time Out

“King’s writing has that quality where almost every line whip-cracks through the air and leaves a welt.” – The Upcoming

Videos

  • Inside White Pearl youtube thumbnail

    Inside White Pearl

  • White Pearl Sizzle Reel - Studio Theatre youtube thumbnail

    White Pearl Sizzle Reel - Studio Theatre

Photos

  • White Pearl

    Image: 2019 Royal Court Theatre Production (Tristram Kenton)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Anchuli Felicia King

Anchuli Felicia King

Anchuli Felicia King is a playwright, screenwriter and multidisciplinary artist of Thai-Australian descent. King’s plays have been produced by the Royal Court Theatre (London), Manhattan Theater Club (New York), Studio Theatre (Washington D.C.), American Shakespeare Center (S ...

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