Life of Pi (play) explained

Life of Pi
Place:Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Orig Lang:English

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

Sheffield (2019)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

Cast and characters

Character!Sheffield[3] !London[4] !Cambridge[5] !Broadway[6] !UK & Ireland Tour[7]
2019202120222023
PiHiran AbeysekeraAdi DixitHiran AbeysekeraDivesh Subaskaran
MaMina AnwarMahira KakkarGoldy Notay
Richard Parker the TigerKate 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 FatherKammy DarweishNicholas KhanRajesh BoseRalph Birtwell
RaniTara DivinaPayal MistrySonya VenugopalKeshini Misha
Father Martin / Commander Grant-JonesTom EspinerAvery GlymphAntony Antunes
Peter Twose
Mamaji / Pandit-JiRaj GhatakSathya SridharanChand Martinez
Mrs Biology Kumar / Zaida KhanSyreeta KumarSalma QarnainSharita Oomeer
Mr OkamotoDavid K. S. TseDaisuke TsujiLilian Tsang
The Cook / The voice of the TigerHabib Nasib NaderBrian Thomas AbrahamAntony Antunes
Peter Twose
Lulu ChenGabby WongKirsten FosterKirstin LouieBhwana Bhwasar
Pi (alternate)-Nuwan Hugh PereraUma ParanjpeAdi Dixit, Uma ParanjpeAdwitha Arumugam

Reception

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

Awards and nominations

Sheffield production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2019UK Theatre Awards[9] Best New Play
Best DirectorMax Webster
Best DesignNick Barnes, Finn Caldwell, Carolyn Downing, Andrzej Goulding, Tim Hatley and Tim Lutkin
Best Performance in a PlayHiran Abeysekera
2020WhatsOnStage Awards[10] Best New Play
Best Regional Production

London production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2022Laurence Olivier Awards[11] Best New Play
Best DirectorMax Webster
Best ActorHiran Abeysekera
Best Actor in a Supporting RoleFred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Habib Nasib Nader, Tom Stacy and Scarlet Wilderink
Best Sound DesignCarolyn Downing
Best Lighting DesignAndrzej Goulding and Tim Lutkin
Best Set DesignTim Hatley (set), Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (puppetry)
Best Theatre ChoreographerFinn Caldwell
Best Original Score or New OrchestrationsAndrew T. Mackay

Broadway Production

Year! width="20%"
AwardCategoryNomineeResult
2023Tony Awards[12] Best Direction of a PlayMax Webster
Best Scenic Design of a PlayTim Hatley and Andrzej Goulding
Best Costume Design of a PlayTim Hatley, Nick Barnes, and Finn Caldwell
Best Lighting Design of a PlayTim Lutkin
Best Sound Design of a PlayCarolyn Downing
Drama Desk Awards[13] Outstanding Direction of a PlayMax Webster
Outstanding Lead Performance in a PlayHiran Abeysekera
Outstanding Scenic Design of a PlayTim Hatley
Outstanding Video or Projection DesignAndrzej Goulding
Outstanding PuppetryNick Barnes and Finn Caldwell
Drama League Awards[14] Outstanding Production of a Play
Distinguished PerformanceHiran Abeysekera
Theatre World Awards[15] Outstanding Debut Performance
Outer Critics Circle Awards[16] Outstanding New Broadway Play
Outstanding Director of a PlayMax Webster
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway PlayHiran Abeysekera
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)Tim Lutkin
Outstanding Video or Projection Design (Play or Musical)Andrzej Goulding

External links

References

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