Due to popular demand the spectacular Life of Pi is returning to Salford for one week only this summer! After a phenomenal Christmas season, the show that features ‘Richard Parker’ a life-size puppeteered Bengali Tiger, will return at The Lowry from 2nd – 6th July.
Joining the cast and making her UK debut is Sonia Venugopal. Sonia originated the role of Rani on Broadway and joins the UK & Ireland tour in the role of Rani and understudy Pi.
Other cast members include Divesh Subaskaran in the central role of Pi; Goldy Notay as Amma; Ralph Birtwell as Father; Sharita Oomeer as Lulu Chen / Mrs Biology Kumar; Bhawna Bhawsar as Lulu Chen/Mrs Biology Kumar; Chand Martinez as Mamaji / Pandit-ji / Admiral Balbir Singh; Lilian Tsang as Mrs Okamoto / Zaida Khan / Ships Captain; Vinesh Veerasami as Russian Sailor; Adwitha Arumugam as Pi Alternate; Antony Antunes who performs as Tiger Hind / Cook / Father Martin; Peter Twose as Tiger Head / Voice of Richard Parker / Cook / Father Martin; Romina Hytten as Tiger Heart and Hind; Akash Heer as Tiger Head; Aizah Khan as Tiger Heart and Hind; Kate Rowsell as Tiger Heart and Hind; Katie Kennedy-Rose as Tiger Heart and Hind; Sebastian Goffin as Tiger Head; and Tom Stacy a Tiger Hind and Puppet Captiain.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – 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?
I LOVE MANCHESTER “a visual feast that immerses the audience in a world of wonder and mystery.”
Life of Pi first opened to critical acclaim at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield in 2019. International commitments for the show include its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University where it ran from 4th December 2022 to 29th January 2023, followed by its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater where it opened on 9th March 2024. A European tour will follow the tour of the UK and Ireland and there are plans underway for a tour of Australia and Asia.
Life of Pi 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).
Opening to celebratory reviews on Broadway in March the production this week won Tony Awards in the following categories: Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS “One of the most spectacular shows I’ve ever seen” ★★★★
The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume Designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, the Sound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Puppetry and Movement Director is Scarlet Wilderink, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Associate Puppet Designer is Caroline Bowman, the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.
Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.
Life of Pi will run at The Lowry, Salford from 2nd – 6th July. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.
