Life of Pi (play)

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Life of Pi
Production artwork
Written byLolita Chakrabarti (play)
Yann Martel (novel)
Date premiered28 June 2019 (2019-06-28)
Place premieredCrucible Theatre, Sheffield
Original languageEnglish

Life of Pi is a play based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Yann Martel adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti.

The play premiered in June 2019 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield before transferring to the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End in November 2021. The play won five Laurence Olivier Awards (including Best New Play), five UK Theatre Awards (including Best New Play) and Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards.

Production history[edit]

An audience ovation following a performance at the A.R.T.

Sheffield (2019)[edit]

The play was commissioned by producer Simon Friend, and after a series of workshops over two years, made its world premiere at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield running from 28 June until 20 July 2019. The play is directed by Max Webster.

London (2021-2023)[edit]

Following the success of the Sheffield run, the play opened in London's West End at the Wyndham's Theatre, produced by Simon Friend, beginning previews on 15 November 2021, with an official opening on 2 December. The play was originally due to open in June 2020 however was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following extensions to the run due to popular demand, the play closed on 15 January 2023. The production was filmed live by National Theatre Live and will be broadcast to cinemas from 30 March 2023.

A.R.T. and Broadway (2023)[edit]

The play made its North American premiere at the A.R.T in Cambridge, Massachusetts running from December 4, 2022 to January 29, 2023 before opening on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 30, 2023 (with previews from March 9). [1] The cast from the A.R.T. run reprised their roles with Hiran Abeysekera reprising his Olivier Award-winning role as Pi (with Adi Dixit who played Pi in the A.R.T. run joining as the Alternate Pi) with Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink reprising their Olivier Award-winning role of Richard Parker (joining the A.R.T. puppeteering team). The Broadway production closed on July 23, 2023. Abeysekera departed the production on July 9, 2023 with Uma Paranjpe playing the title role for the remaining performances.[2]

UK & Ireland Tour (2023-24)[edit]

The play began a UK and Ireland tour, returning to Sheffield at the Lyceum Theatre on 29 August 2023 and is scheduled to tour until July 2024. Divesh Subaskaran is playing the title role of Pi, in his professional debut, and Romina Hytten reprising her Olivier Award winning role of Richard Parker.

Planned North American Tour (2024)[edit]

In June 2023, it was announced that the Broadway production will embark on a North American national tour in Fall 2024 with locations, cities, and casting to be announced.[2]

Cast and characters[edit]

Character Sheffield[3] London[4] A.R.T.[5] Broadway[6] UK & Ireland Tour[7]
2019 2021 2022 2023 2023-24
Pi Hiran Abeysekera Adi Dixit Hiran Abeysekera Divesh Subaskaran
Ma Mina Anwar Mahira Kakkar Goldy Notay
Richard Parker the Tiger Kate Colebrook
Fred Davis
Owain Gwynn
Fred Davis
Tom Larkin
Daisy Franks
Scarlet Wilderink
Romina Hytten
Tom Stacy
Nikki Calonga
Rowan Magee
Celia Mei Rubin
Fred Davis
Scarlet Wilderink
Nikki Calonge
Rowan Ian Seamus Magee
Jonathan David Martin
Betsy Rosen
Celia Mei Rubin
Andrew Wilson
Sebastian Goffin
Akash Heer
Peter Twose
Romina Hytten
Katie Kennedy-Rose
Kate Roswell
Antony Antunes
Aizah Khan
Pi's Father Kammy Darweish Nicholas Khan Rajesh Bose Ralph Birtwell
Rani Tara Divina Payal Mistry Sonya Venugopal Keshini Misha
Father Martin / Commander Grant-Jones Tom Espiner Avery Glymph Antony Antunes
Peter Twose
Mamaji / Pandit-Ji Raj Ghatak Sathya Sridharan Chand Martinez
Mrs Biology Kumar / Zaida Khan Syreeta Kumar Salma Qarnain Sharita Oomeer
Mr Okamoto David K. S. Tse Daisuke Tsuji Lilian Tsang
The Cook / The voice of the Tiger Habib Nasib Nader Brian Thomas Abraham Antony Antunes
Peter Twose
Lulu Chen Gabby Wong Kirsten Foster Kirstin Louie Bhwana Bhwasar
Pi (alternate) n/a Nuwan Hugh Perera Uma Paranjpe Adi Dixit, Uma Paranjpe Adwitha Arumugam

Reception[edit]

The play received rave reviews from critics and audiences in both the Sheffield and London productions.[8]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Sheffield production[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2019 UK Theatre Awards[9] Best New Play Won
Best Director Max Webster Won
Best Design Nick Barnes, Finn Caldwell, Carolyn Downing, Andrzej Goulding, Tim Hatley and Tim Lutkin Won
Best Performance in a Play Hiran Abeysekera Won
2020 WhatsOnStage Awards[10] Best New Play Won
Best Regional Production Nominated

London production[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Laurence Olivier Awards[11] Best New Play Won
Best Director Max Webster Nominated
Best Actor Hiran Abeysekera Won
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Fred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Habib Nasib Nader, Tom Stacy and Scarlet Wilderink Won
Best Sound Design Carolyn Downing Nominated
Best Lighting Design Andrzej Goulding and Tim Lutkin Won
Best Set Design Tim Hatley (set), Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (puppetry) Won
Best Theatre Choreographer Finn Caldwell Nominated
Best Original Score or New Orchestrations Andrew T. Mackay Nominated

Broadway Production[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2023 Tony Awards[12] Best Direction of a Play Max Webster Nominated
Best Scenic Design of a Play Tim Hatley and Andrzej Goulding Won
Best Costume Design of a Play Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes, and Finn Caldwell Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Play Tim Lutkin Won
Best Sound Design of a Play Carolyn Downing Won
Drama Desk Awards[13] Outstanding Direction of a Play Max Webster Won
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Hiran Abeysekera Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play Tim Hatley Won
Outstanding Video or Projection Design Andrzej Goulding Won
Outstanding Puppetry Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell Won
Drama League Awards[14] Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated
Distinguished Performance Hiran Abeysekera Nominated
Theatre World Awards[15] Outstanding Debut Performance Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards[16] Outstanding New Broadway Play Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Play Max Webster Nominated
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play Hiran Abeysekera Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Tim Lutkin Won
Outstanding Video or Projection Design (Play or Musical) Andrzej Goulding Won

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ White, Abbey (2022-10-24). "'Life of Pi' Play to Open on Broadway in March". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  2. ^ a b Rosky, Nicole. "LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Closing Date". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  3. ^ "CAST ANNOUNCED FOR LIFE OF PI". Sheffield Theatres. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  4. ^ "London stage show 'Life of Pi' reveals full West End cast | WestEndTheatre.com". www.westendtheatre.com. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  5. ^ "Life of Pi – Now Playing".
  6. ^ "Life of Pi Announces Full Broadway Cast". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  7. ^ "Life of Pi - Cast & Creatives / UK & Ireland Tour 2023 & 24". lifeofpionstage.com. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  8. ^ "'It's a hit' - five-star reviews for Life of Pi on stage in Sheffield". BBC News. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  9. ^ "UK Theatre Awards 2019: the winners in full". The Stage. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  10. ^ "20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards winners include Andrew Scott, Claire Foy, Come From Away and Six | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  11. ^ "Olivier Awards 2022: the winners in full". The Stage. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  12. ^ "2023 Tony Awards Nominees". www.tonyawards.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  13. ^ "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2023: Shucked Leads the Pack with 12 Nods". www.tdf.org. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  14. ^ "2023 Awards - The Drama League". dramaleague.org. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  15. ^ Miller, Deb (2023-05-01). "Winners of the 2023 Theatre World Awards for Broadway and Off-Broadway debut performances". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  16. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "SOME LIKE IT HOT, LEOPOLDSTADT & More Win 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.