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Review of Life of Pi at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Yann Martel's bestselling novel Life of Pi thrilled readers when first released back in 2001, and at the time, many said that the story of Piscine “Pi” Patel and a Royal Bengal Tiger was unfilmable. Yet, director Ang Lee felt otherwise and in 2012, his film version swept aboard awards aplenty and proved many wrong. Seven years later, playwright Lolita Chakrabarti decided that not only was the story filmable, but, it was very much stageable as this visual spectacle premiered at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Following a hugely popular London run, this tour, which now reaches Royal & Derngate, was always destined to follow.

The story of the Life of Pi is a fantastical one which tells, what Piscine (known as Pi) calls in flashback, a true, but totally unbelievable, tale of  the plight he finds himself in when the ship he and his family are travelling upon sinks in high storms

Mantel's tale fascinates and captivates, but only once the true story of Pi's adventures begins. Much of the build-up to the eventual cause of Pi's shipwrecked moment is a little tiresomely told on stage from the actors in the show and only when the true stagecraft begins and the animals also reign, does this show spark into life.

At its centre is a tremendous performance by Divesh Subaskaran as Pi, in a tour which also heralds his professional stage debut. He is at ease on stage and as a performer. Of the cast, he shines brightly beyond many of the other caricatured, and often very stereotyped characters the actors portray.

The main stars of Life of Pi are the animals, which cleverly evokes a remark later in the show itself. The puppeteers that bring them to life are a group of incredibly talented individuals, very much working as a unit. The puppets themselves, and the movement created are superbly realised by designers and movement directors Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes bringing the true imagery to life.

The Royal Bengal Tiger, controlled by Sebastian Goffin, Akash Heer, Romina Hytten, Katie Kennedy-Rose and Aizah Khan, is the true star of the animals. Powerful and strong in movement, and having all the characteristics of a true cat in motion (except one hugely funny scene later in the play, where the movement becomes more clever and comic).

Also, an incredible piece of work is Tim Hatley's set, a living breathing entity in itself, creating throughout Pi's journey, a hospital room, a vivid gorgeously alive marketplace, a cargo ship and finally the boat Pi finally finds himself upon. With swift set changes, all are created expertly.

Life of Pi is very much a visual show, lacking in quality during the early scenes, and far from an acting masterclass in general. However, what is lacking there is given back in the beauty of both stagecraft and the stunning animals. A vivid tale, well realised.

With tremendous stage and puppetry, Martel's spellbinding novel becomes a magical theatre spectacle.
⭐⭐


Performance reviewed: Wednesday 20th April 2024 at Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton.

Life of Pi runs at the Royal & Derngate Theatre until Saturday 6th April, 2024.

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Production Photos: Johan Persson



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