Embarking on its first ever UK tour, Life of Pi comes to Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 January 2024. Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling Olivier Award-winning stage adaption of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel stars Divesh Subaskaran in his professional debut in the central role of Pi and an extraordinary life-size puppeteered Bengal Tiger.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction and winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Lolita Chakrabarti said: “It is incredible to begin this tour at Sheffield Theatres, where Life of Pi began its journey, and to start the tour across the country from this great city. It has been an extraordinary year in the West End and the success of the play has been both a privilege and a delight – from all the amazing awards to the standing ovations we get every night. It is testament to Yann Martel’s beautiful and moving story. I am so grateful for his trust and generosity in sharing it with me and allowing our amazing creative team to tell his story our way.”
Life of Pi first opened to critical acclaim at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2019 before transferring to the West End where it won five Olivier Awards in April 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 puppeteer 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).
After opening on Broadway to celebratory reviews in March 2023, Life Of Pi won three Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design of a Play (Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding) and Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tim Lutkin) and Best Sound Design of a Play (Carolyn Downing).
Jaw-dropping visuals, magic and ‘out of this world’ puppetry (Mail) combine in a unique and ‘unmissable’ (Guardian) theatrical event that ‘will make you believe in the power of theatre’ (Times).
Life of Pi is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 January 2024. Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the box office on 0113 243 0808.
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