LIFE OF PI AT THE LOWRY- REVIEW BY NATALIE ANGLESEY

 

LIFE OF PI ROARS INTO THE LOWRY, SALFORD.

REVIEW BY NATALIE ANGLESEY

The multi-award-winning Life of Pi is at The Lowry, Salford for what I promise you is a magical experience. The show, which features ‘Richard Parker’ a life-size 'puppeteered' Royal Bengal Tiger, will play at The Lowry until Saturday 6 January 2024. I urge you not to leave it too late before you book because I cannot praise this production too highly. I promise you it’s one of the most original and magical events you will ever witness on stage.- and I've seen a few great shows n my time.

Based on Yann Martel’s winner of the Man Booker Prize, which sold over fifteen million copies worldwide,  it's been adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti. Life of Pi, is a breath-taking, theatrical adaptation, of an epic journey of endurance and hope. The premise is that, after a cargo ship sinks in the vast Pacific Ocean, the five survivors on a lifeboat are a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan,  a sixteen year old boy, and a 450 pound Royal Bengal tiger  and you have no idea who will survive.

In a production of this magnitude with so many cast members performing on different nights, I would hate any actor to sob into their pillow because their name hasn’t been mentioned.  So, although it may be confusing to understand that, because of illness, each member of the hard-working cast may be called in to appear.  So they all deserve a mention.

Divesh Subaskaran is fantastic making his professional debut in the central role of Pi with Adwitha Arumugan as his Alternate. He is joined on stage playing a variety of roles by Antony Antunes, Bhawna Bhawsar, Ralph Birtwell, and Sebastian Goffin. Displaying their versatility are also Akash Heer, Romina Hytten and Chand Martinez who are joined by Keshini Misha and Goldy Notay. Sharita Oomeer, Kate Rowsell and Lillian Tsang along with  Zaida Khan and Peter Twosea also show their versatility. You have to see it to believe it - and if I've left  anyone out- please forgive me!

 Life of Pi first opened in the UK to critical acclaim at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield in 2019. The good news is that a European tour will follow this tour of the UK and Ireland . Life of Pi won five Olivier Awards in 2022.  As well as Best New Play, and Best Actor for Hiran Abeysekera (the original Pi), in an historic first for the Olivier Awards - the seven performers who performed within the Tiger ‘Richard Parker’ were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The production also picked up awards for set (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), and lighting design (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding).

Opening to celebratory reviews on Broadway that production also won several Tony Awards.  A great deal of pre –production work is evolved in such a stunning production directed by Max Webster, with set and Costume Designer by Tim Hatley.  The Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Puppet and Movement Director. The Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, the Sound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Puppetry and Movement Director is Scarlet Wilderink, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Associate Puppet Designer is Caroline Bowman,  the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.  

Fight to get a ticket for Life of Pi at The Lowry until  Monday 6 January 2024. You won't regret it.

‘IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THEATRE. A TRIUMPH.’SUNDAY TIMES

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION IS AMAZING.’ OBSERVER

‘THE PUPPETRY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD’ DAILY MAIL.