Last Updated on December 12, 2024
A Journey of Theatrical Magic
Life of Pi is a dazzling theatrical spectacle; a magical feast for the eyes that brims with imagination. Lolita Chakrabarti’s highly acclaimed stage adaption of Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning book which sold over fifteen million copies worldwide, premiered in June 2019 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield before transferring to the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End in November 2021. Having missed it when it first opened, I was delighted to get the opportunity to go see the show with its recent cast change.
Life of Pi tells the story of sixteen-year-old philosophically inclined Piscine Patel better known as Pi, who in this show was engagingly played with youthful charm by Nuwan Hugh Perera (Chirag Benedict Lobo plays alternate Pi). Pi has an affinity with Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. He grows up in a rickety-looking zoo in Pondicherry, on the southern coast of India, with his Mama (Saikat Ahmed), father (Ameet Chana) and sister Rani (Tanvi Virmani). The family zoo houses numerous animals including a fearsome Bengal tiger called Richard Parker. Much to Pi’s horror, he is fed the family goat, teaching him a stark lesson about the savagery of the animal kingdom.
Because of the increasing unrest and violence caused by Indira Gandhi’s state of emergency, the family decide to pack up and leave their home, setting sail for Canada. However, after a terrible storm, the cargo ship sinks and there are just five survivors, Pi, a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a giant tiger, all stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean…
The narrative begins in 1978 in a grey hospital where Pi, who after 227 days drifting at sea is suffering from PSD. He is visited by the uptight Mr Okomoto (well-portrayed by Kevin Shen) an official from the Japanese Ministry of Transport who is trying to establish what actually happened to the ship. Lulu Chen makes a suitably calm Phyliss Ho who offers Pi a little gentler understanding.
Max Webster’s slick production is visually splendid, it has been impressively designed by a team of talented creatives. The simple thrust stage is transformed from a grey hospital, into an Indian zoo and then to the brutal beauty of the ocean waves. The set for Life of Pi is amazingly versatile with rich and colourful costumes designed by Tim Hatley. Carolyn Downing’s evocative sound design, stunning lighting from Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding’s astounding video and projection effects with dark shapes and undulating waves almost make you feel seasick, they are so real. There are extraordinary feats of magic with a boat that rises effortlessly out of the stage and clever holes, which look like Pi falls under the waves when jumping into the sea.
The puppetry team Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (of ‘War Horse’ fame), have created the most magnificent menagerie of creatures which move with stealth, grace and finesse. There are pretty butterflies, luminous fishes, giant turtles, a loveable orangutang, elegant zebras, a ferocious laughing hyena and of course the formidable Bengal Tiger Richard Parker, all of which are an absolute triumph.
The special effects make Life of Pi. The second half is quite breathtaking, though at times it seems as if the more philosophical ruminations of this beautiful story, which are so key in the book are drowned out by the exciting visuals.
Nuwan Hugh Perera’s Pi is a delight, his naivety and journey of discovery are beautifully depicted and he is well supported by a strong cast and incredible puppetry.
Max Webster’s production of The Life of Pi is a wonderful piece of theatre which takes you on a rich and epic journey of the imagination, telling an engaging story which provides a powerful allegory for the human drive to survive.
WYNDHAM’S THEATRE
Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0DA
TICKETS Box Office: 0344 482 5151
Ticket prices start from £18
BOOKING ONLINE www.lifeofpionstage.com
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Monday 7:30pm Wednesday – Saturday: 7:30pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees: 2:30pm Sunday matinees: 3:00pm
Looking for something different? We also recommend The Caucasian Chalk Circle, showing now at the Rose Theatre, Kingston
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