Review: Life of Pi at The Lowry is ‘an unforgettable show that amazes and thrills’

Following the sinking of a cargo ship from India to Canada, we are taken to the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean where five unusual survivors are stranded on a single lifeboat.

Pi (played by Divesh Subaskaran), a sixteen-year-old boy, is left at the mercy of nature along with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and Richard Parker, a hungry Bengal tiger.

This is where an epic adventure begins, pushing Pi and the audience to their limits.

Life of Pi returns to The Lowry

The stage adaptation comes from Lolita Chakrabarti with Max Webster directing.

The stunning set, designed by Tim Hartley, comes to life as we get to meet Pi’s family and, more importantly, the zoo residents and real protagonists of this play, the four main animals.

Masterful puppetry by Finn Caldwell

Puppetry and Movement Director Finn Caldwell breathes life into the spectacular wild animals that will fight for survival together with
Pi.

The first act delves into themes like religion, the sanctity of life and the struggle to live in a country that is turning hostile towards its own citizens.

This is where the audience is catapulted into India, an explosion of colours, sounds, voices, and characters of all types.

A visual feast

However, in the second act, when the ship sinks, the production becomes a proper feast for the eyes, with the chaos of the five survivors left at the mercy of the sea.

It is in this moment, while Richard Parker moves and snarls in what looks like a frenetic and feverish dance, that we share Pi’s
tragedy, trauma, and we become part of his mania.

Human’s really are the scariest of animals

While we fight for our life together with Pi, we all realise that in the end, his dad was right: humans really are the scariest of the animals.

The lighting, the sound production, the way the stage keeps changing and transforming, the puppetry and acting of the young main protagonist all seamlessly blend together to deliver a great story.

Tickets for The Life of Pi at The Lowry

Emotional, chaotic, touching but with some comical moments, and fiery just as Richard Parker’s roar: Life of Pi is an unforgettable show that never stops to amaze and thrill, now on stage for the second time at the Lowry until July 6th.

You can get tickets by clicking here