THE LOWRY THEATRE, SALFORD – UNTIL SATURDAY 6TH JULY 2024
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
In all my years of attending the theatre, there have been only a few occasions when I felt compelled to rise to my feet and start a standing ovation. Last night, however, was one of those special moments. By the time the interval arrived, I already had the urge to express my admiration as the performance was truly outstanding – and it continued to exceed my expectations as it progressed. It’s no wonder that this show won an impressive five Olivier awards and making history by honouring a team of puppeteers as the Best Supporting Actors!
Whether or not you have read the book or seen the movie, this production is definitely worth your time. The Life of Pi tells a captivating story, and the whole team has done an impressive job in bringing it to the stage while maintaining the charm of the original book. The opening line, ‘I can tell you a story that will make you believe in God’, sets the tone for a well written and clever narrative, that will have you laughing and perhaps shedding a tear or two. The twist at the end is thought-provoking and encourages contemplation about life, beliefs, morality and the essence of truth in storytelling. Perhaps most resonantly, the unique power of Live Theatre.
For those who know the story either from the novel or the Ang Lee film, what I was particularly excited to see was the part with Pi and the Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker on the lifeboat. The design of the floor and visuals resembling the sea with its blue colour and subtle movements, convincingly created the illusion that the two of them were actually on a boat in the middle of the sea. The whole production really drew me into that world, making it feel exceptionally realistic. This brings me to THE standout feature of the show, among many others, which is the use of puppetry. The puppets are incredibly lifelike, accurate representations of the creatures they depict. Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell have creatively used driftwood and other debris to craft various animals such as zebras, hyenas, giraffes, fish, butterflies, a goat, and a mother and baby orangutan. These creations are brought to life by the skill of the cast under Caldwell’s expert guidance.
There are some notably dark and almost graphic scenes to be mindful of that may be difficult to watch, especially if you’re thinking of bringing children along. However, the children around me appeared to be untroubled by this and completely captivated by the animal puppetry.
For an even more impressive insight, I was truly astonished to find out that the actor who plays Pi, Divesh Subaskaran, made his professional debut in this tour. Subaskaran shines in his portrayal of Pi, skilfully blending serene moments with intense bursts of energy. His performance offers an engaging and spellbinding experience that can take your breath away.
I usually prefer musicals to plays, but this play is definitely one of the best things I’ve seen on stage.