Life of Pi
Based on the Novel by Yann Martel
Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti
Director – Max Webster
Set and Costume Design – Tim Hatley
Puppetry and Movement Director – Finn Caldwell
Curve, Leicester (Touring)
Tuesday 12th – Sunday 17th March
Published in 2001, the Life of Pi by Yann Martel is a global publishing phenomenon. As one of my all-time favourite novels, I am hoping to be ‘swept away’ by this touring production currently playing at Leicester Curve. Please note that the pun is most definitely intended.
Life of Pi tells the story of a teenage Indian boy whose family have sold their zoo in Pondicherry and are now set to embark on a new life in Canada. Civil and political unrest has prompted the move, but tragedy strikes when a torrential storm hits their cargo ship. The titular Pi (Divesh Subaskaran) becomes the only known human survivor.
Stranded on a lifeboat, he comes to realise that he has unexpected travelling companions, including a fearsome Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Thus begins an epic tale of faith, loss, and the indomitable will to live as Pi confronts the brutal reality of survival at sea.
We start at the end of his odyssey in a sterile hospital room in Mexico. It is dull and grey with huge shutters that serve to banish the outside world. ‘How shall I begin……?’ opines Pi as Lulu Chen (Sharita Oomeer) and Mrs Okamoto (Lilian Tsang) attempt to prise out of him how he survived his 227 days at sea.
The young Pi is clearly traumatised as he begins to recount his somewhat fantastical survival tale. How much of what he says is the truth? How much is mythologised? The audience is put in the same position as the two officials sent to ascertain exactly what occurred.
Subaskaran as Pi is utterly delightful. Light on his feet, agile and acrobatic, his deft movement becomes part of the character as he negotiates land, sea, and lifeboat. It is easy to forget that this is Subaskaran’s professional debut. He fully encapsulates Pi’s youthfulness, curiosity, and imposed readiness to adapt to his situation.
The puppets are also extraordinary. Hyenas, zebras, and orangutans populate the stage. Each one has been crafted so carefully and is manoeuvred so expertly that you swiftly forget to look at the puppeteers and how the animals are operated as you become fully immersed in their individual psyches. Make no mistake though, these are dangerous creatures and brutality is never far from the surface. This is survival of the fittest at its most extreme.
Nevertheless, there are moments of pure beauty as luminescent fish shimmy across the stage or a butterfly lands on a hand, flexes and then goes about its way. The puppetry is extremely nuanced. One can only imagine the number of hours that have gone into perfecting the look, feel and performance of each one. Huge congratulations to the whole team with Finn Caldwell at the helm as Puppetry and Movement Director.
This is a production fully deserving of its five Olivier Awards. Direction, Set Design, Sound, Lighting and Music come together in magical ways to create a supreme example of the power of theatre to entertain, thrill, educate and resonate.
It is filled with highlights in both a major and a minor key; for example, a surprising use of video backdrop, a surge of dramatic music or a set that undergoes a thoroughly unexpected transformation.
Furthermore, if your tickets are in the dress circle, you may well have a different experience from those of us in the stalls as special effects dazzle and fascinate in equal measure. I would gladly return to the see this production from a different angle as there is so much to see, hear and take on board.
Life of Pi prompts us all to consider our beliefs and our place in the world. Moreover, it is a consideration of the nature of storytelling itself. We all have a story to tell, and this one is masterfully told.
Book your tickets now for an evening full of wonder and amazement.
Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (incl. interval)
Parental guidance advised: The show contains flashing lights and haze.
