Theatre review: Life of Pi at Norwich Theatre Royal

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Life of Pi has come to Norwich Theatre Royal as part of its first ever UK tour! Read on to find out more about the show and what we thought.

Hiran Abeysekera (Pi) in LifeOfPi2021 by Johan Persson

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show comes to Norwich Theatre Royal.

Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event that is ‘a wonder to behold’ (Daily Mail).

After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger.

Based on the global phenomenon and winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life Of Pi is the hugely popular story of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Don’t miss the West End and Broadway spectacle on its first ever UK tour.

LIFE OF PI BY Martel, Novelist-Yann Martel, Playwright-Lolita Chakrabarti, Director -Max Webster, Set and Costume Designer - Tim Hatley, Puppetry and Movement Director - Finn Caldwell, Puppet Designers - Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell, Video Designer - Andrzej Goulding, Lighting Designer -Tim Lutkin, Sound Designer -Carolyn Downing, Composer - Andrew T. Mackay, Dramaturg-Jack Bradley, Wyndham’s Theatre,London, UK, Credit: Johan Persson/

Did we enjoy the show?

Having watched the film of Life of Pi some years ago, I was excited to see how the story would transfer to a play.

As a story, you’ll get lost in the tragedy that is Pi’s life. You learn of the family life in India, and Pi’s father wishes for a better life in Canada. What should have been a fresh start resulted in loss, sadness and trauma, so perfectly expressed by Divesh Subaskaran. Life of Pi is Subaskaran’s professional debut but you wouldn’t know it without being told.

I really enjoy seeing a different kind of set and Life of Pi does this really well. What could have been a really hard story to tell on the stage was done effortlessly and beautifully. From the beginning, set in India to a large portion set at sea, Life of Pi moves seamlessly from one to another. The sets and use of projections really make you feel like you’re there. The water scenes were especially well done, with boats rocking, rain coming in from all directions and a boat sitting atop a very rough sea.

The puppetry was absolutely outstanding and those controlling the animals were just phenomenal. Most of the time you don’t even notice they’re there, which is really a credit to what they do. It takes a team of three to bring Richard Parker (the tiger) to life, with one being the head, one the heart and one the hind. The way these animals move is like they are the real thing.

This play has some scenes that are quite unpleasant and uncomfortable to watch. Having seen the film I thought I would be prepared, but I wasn’t. However, these moments are absolutely necessary to understand what Pi was going through on the boat. When the story evolves from one thing to another, you really understand just how bad things were for Pi.

Life of Pi is a stunning masterpiece, with storytelling done at its absolute best. Be sure to catch it on the UK tour!