By: Sara Lamerton, TRP Reviewer
Seeped in magical wonder from the outset, Life of Pi is a tale of triumph against the odds; of persevering when all seems lost, and reverence for the gifts life fleetingly bestows.
This award-winning stage show is not only a fantastical celebration of theatrical mastery, but an ingenious and emotive otherworldly manifestation of trauma; of loss; of survival; of God; of love.
Pi, our young protagonist, traditionally depicted as a boy, was last night played by Adwitha Arumugam. Adwitha, an incredibly talented young woman, took on the iconic lead role and conquered it. Turning Pi into the ‘alpha-female’ star of the show.
Pi is different from her peers: astute, probing, and challenging in a manner that makes the adults around her a tad uncomfortable. Yet, until the political situation in India turns sour, and the family’s life begins to unravel, she has never been face-to-face with the harsh realities of the world. Then suddenly, for the first time, Pi is confronted by the brutality of nature in the form of the ferociously magnificent Bengal tiger, Richard Parker. Pi’s relationship with the beast doesn’t get off to a good start when Parker devours her favourite goat without hesitation. Upon witnessing this sheer force of instinct, she doesn’t understand why Parker can’t control itself and simply choose not to kill. She only sees the world through the lens of her softness and biased expectations. Little does she know that, despite her initial hatred for the animal, their relationship is about to take an unexpected turn.
After the family sets sail for a new life in Canada, disaster strikes. Pi is stranded at sea with little in the way of survival except biscuits, a few tins of water, several orange umbrellas, a whistle, and a trusty ol’ ‘survival at sea guide’. Oh, and of course a boat. Which, once all the other inhabitants have met their demise, is solely occupied by Parker. Awkward.
Clinging to a makeshift raft floating aimlessly alongside Parker’s boat, Pi must find a way back onto the craft. Mustering the will to go against her instincts, grasping doggedly to the life God has given her, Pi tames her fear in order to dominate the tiger. And, once she respects the mighty beast for what it truly is, she finds solace in its protection and their unexpected companionship. What’s more, Pi and Parker turn into the most powerful partnership, enduring the seemingly impossible.
Jumping back and forth from Pi’s hospital bed to the narrow world of the boat, as the sole survivor of this terrible tragedy, the truth of what happened rests firmly on Pi’s shoulders. But, of course, her tiger boat story is not believed. Placating the intensely probing authorities, she recalls another version of events. A version even more harrowing, leaving everyone reeling in horror. But Pi’s doesn’t quit there. Her unique way of seeing the world is finally enough to soften even the most unlikeable, dogmatic characters into submission.
As it’s World Book Day, I must confess I haven’t read Yann Martel’s iconic novel that inspired Lolita Chakrabarti’s epic Olivier Award winning production. I did, however, see the National Theatre Live performance at the cinema last year. It was simply mesmerising. So, when I heard Life of Pi was coming to Plymouth I was excited to witness the phenomenon in the flesh rather than through a screen. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The way Pi’s world comes to life on stage is simply magical. The variety of interchanging sets, fluid choreography, enigmatic animals, and level of emotional investment in the relationship between Pi and Parker is a marvel. So, when Richard Parker, the other half of the show’s unexpected heroic duo, leaves Pi without so much as a glance back to say goodbye, you are left simultaneously heartbroken and ecstatic that this great beast survived alongside the endearing young Pi.
And, without a doubt, even though the tale of Pi and Parker’s survival for 227 days together on a tiny boat is the unlikely one, we can all agree it’s the better one.