Birmingham Hippodrome – until 17th February 2024
Reviewed by Emma Millward
5*****
Based on the best-selling, Booker Prize winning book by Yann Martel, which was made into a four-time Academy Award film, directed by Ang Lee. Adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti, Life of Pi first premiered at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in June 2019, before moving to Wyndham’s Theatre in London in 2021. It went on to wow the West End crowds with its immersive sights, sounds and, of course, the puppets. It would subsequently win five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play and, in an historic first, all seven performers of Richard Parker the Tiger were collectively awarded ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’.
The play tells the story of Piscine ‘Pi’ Patel (Divesh Subaskaran, making his professional debut) who, against all odds, survives a tragedy at sea. We first see him in a hospital bed being questioned about his 227 days as a castaway. The scenery on stage swiftly changes, and we find ourselves in Pondicherry Zoo, India. We are introduced to the animals, who immediately captivate the audience. Following the economic instability of Indira Gandhi’s ‘The Emergency’, Pi’s father (Ralph Birtwell) makes the decision to immigrate to Canada. His family and their animals set sail on a Japanese cargo ship that is destroyed in a huge storm, in one of many amazingly atmospheric scenes. Pi is left stranded on a lifeboat alongside a Hyena, an Orangutan, a Zebra and a Bengal Tiger called Richard Parker. Pi is left to assert his dominance over the wild animals and fight for survival as they turn on each other. Throughout the show, Pi’s family reappear as ethereal presences, guiding his survival and offering advice.
Puppet Designers Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (also Movement Director) have created incredible puppets for the show. Every moment has been carefully thought out, choreographed and performed by an ensemble of talented performers. In the case of Richard Parker, five performers all work in perfect unison to bring the big cat to life. He licks his paws, tilts his head inquisitively, and it genuinely feels like there is actually a real tiger on the stage. My daughter’s opinion of Richard Parker? “I liked his whiskers!”.
Set and costume designer Tim Hatley’s award-winning set design takes in small locations such as a hospital ward to the vast Pacific Ocean. The sets throughout the show are breathtaking. Video Designer Andrezej Goulding’s clever projections kept us informed of how many days had passed, but also created a beautiful backdrop to the scenes, especially the starlit ocean sky. Director Max Webster has been at the helm since the play’s creation in 2019, and it is not hard to see why he has received many awards and nominations for this show.
Be warned, some parts of the production are hard to watch. This is a show depicting wild animals, so there is gore, violence and a sense of threat throughout. It may be a little too much for younger children. 8+ years is the show’s recommended viewer age, so discretion may be needed.
All in all, Life of Pi is definitely a collaborative effort where the combined talents of all involved produces something spectacular and thought-provoking that stays with you long after you have left the theatre.