Arts > Theatre

Life of Pi

Norwich Theatre Royal

26/09/23

Last night I went on an adventure; a magical adventure filled with laughter, heartache, life lessons and truth telling. This production is fundamentally in a league if its own and I am left completely awestruck by its wonder. The story transports its audience around the world on land and sea as we accompany Pi on his perilous journey to save himself after tragedy befalls his beloved family. I fell in love with this story reading it as a teenager and I was equally impressed by the big screen production, but this live reimagining is nothing short of miraculous.
 
The attention to detail with the setting, the symbiosis of the puppeteers married in with the lighting and corresponding sound effects was mesmerising and of course the performance led by the characters themselves cultivated such a strong absorption into the story, such an investment in the outcome. It’s always satisfying when a live show can pull you in like this, however, with Life of Pi we see this layered up in front of our very eyes as we are made to question the reality in the same way that the characters have to. In the closing scene Pi begs the question 'Which story do you believe, which do you prefer'. The answer goes without saying and the scene concludes with the validation from the interrogators as they leave Pi to rest in the infirmary. As weird, wild and wonderful as it sounds, we are all believers in the tale.

 
The animals, the magic and the fight for survival is all wrapped up in a perfect balance of surrealism and intensely relatable material which is so unique, subtle and clever. Divesh Subaskaran (playing Pi for his professional debut) took my breath away with his performance. His passion, playfulness, wit and energy shone through like the bright shining star that he is- he wasn't playing the character- he was Pi! I cannot praise him enough and to think this is his first professional tread on the boards is super exciting as he possesses the exceptional talent which is so special and rare. 
 
Without giving too much away, some of my highlights included; the nighttime scenes which enveloped the stage in starlight, the way in which the water appeared to lap at our feet at the boat swayed atop the waves. I loved the market scene and seamless transition from the zoo over to the fated cargo ship. The puppets were unlike anything I have seen performed live before; these beautiful creatures inhabited by performers that create each living breathing moment for that animal. Richard Parker the tiger, Subaskaran's Co-star frightened and fascinated the audience in equal measure. He required three cast members for his operation and they, along  with Subaskaran received a much deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
 
Pure Magic.