Life of Pi is a play based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Yann Martel adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti.
The play premiered in June 2019 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield before transferring to the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End in November 2021. The play won five Laurence Olivier Awards (including Best New Play), five UK Theatre Awards (including Best New Play) and Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards.
Production history
Sheffield (2019) The play was commissioned by producer Simon Friend, and after a series of workshops over two years, made its world premiere at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield running from 28 June until 20 July 2019. The play is directed by Max Webster.
London (2021-2023) Following the success of the Sheffield run, the play opened in London's West End at the Wyndham's Theatre, produced by Simon Friend, beginning previews on 15 November 2021, with an official opening on 2 December. The play was originally due to open in June 2020 however was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following extensions to the run due to popular demand, the play closed on 15 January 2023. The production was filmed live by National Theatre Live and will be broadcast to cinemas from 30 March 2023.
A.R.T. and Broadway (2023) The play made its North American premiere at the A.R.T in Cambridge, Massachusetts running from December 4, 2022 to January 29, 2023 before opening on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 30, 2023 (with previews from March 9). The cast from the A.R.T. run reprised their roles with Hiran Abeysekera reprising his Olivier Award-winning role as Pi (with Adi Dixit who played Pi in the A.R.T. run joining as the Alternate Pi) with Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink reprising their Olivier Award-winning role of Richard Parker (joining the A.R.T. puppeteering team). The Broadway production closed on July 23, 2023. Abeysekera departed the production on July 9, 2023 with Uma Paranjpe playing the title role for the remaining performances.
UK & Ireland Tour (2023-2024) The play began a UK and Ireland tour, returning to Sheffield at the Lyceum Theatre on 29 August 2023 and is scheduled to tour until July 2024. Divesh Subaskaran is playing the title role of Pi, in his professional debut, and Romina Hytten reprising her Olivier Award winning role of Richard Parker.
North American Tour (2024-2025) A North American tour began on December 7, 2024 at the Hippdrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, and closed on October 26, 2025, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."Life of Pi - Broadway Play - Tour", IBDb. Retrieved June 6, 2025
Regional productions San Francisco Playhouse announced that it would be producing the play in its 2026/2027 Season, marking the first non-replica production of Life of Pi in the United States. The production was scheduled to run April 26 - June 19, 2027.https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/ROI-Rolling-World-Premiere-and-More-Set-for-San-Francisco-Playhouse-26-27-season-20260413
Cast and characters +CharacterSheffieldLondonCambridgeBroadwayUK & Ireland Tour2019202120222023PiHiran AbeysekeraAdi DixitHiran AbeysekeraDivesh SubaskaranMaMina AnwarMahira KakkarGoldy NotayRichard Parker the TigerKate ColebrookFred DavisOwain GwynnFred DavisTom LarkinDaisy FranksScarlet WilderinkRomina HyttenTom StacyFred DavisScarlet WilderinkNikki CalongeRowan Ian Seamus MageeJonathan David MartinBetsy RosenCelia Mei RubinAndrew WilsonSebastian GoffinAkash HeerPeter TwoseRomina HyttenKatie Kennedy-RoseKate RoswellAntony AntunesAizah KhanPi's FatherKammy DarweishNicholas KhanRajesh BoseRalph BirtwellRaniTara DivinaPayal MistrySonya VenugopalKeshini MishaFather Martin / Commander Grant-JonesTom EspinerAvery GlymphAntony AntunesPeter TwoseMamaji / Pandit-JiRaj GhatakSathya SridharanChand MartinezMrs Biology Kumar / Zaida KhanSyreeta KumarSalma QarnainSharita OomeerMr OkamotoDavid K. S. TseDaisuke TsujiLilian TsangThe Cook / The voice of the TigerHabib Nasib NaderBrian Thomas AbrahamAntony Antunes Peter TwoseLulu ChenGabby WongKirsten FosterKirstin LouieBhwana BhwasarEnsembleMahnaz Damania, Usman Ali Mughal, Uma Paranjpe, David ShihMahnaz Damania, Jon Hoche, Usman Ali Mughal, Uma Paranjpe, David ShihPi (alternate)-Nuwan Hugh PereraUma ParanjpeAdi Dixit, Uma ParanjpeAdwitha Arumugam
Reception The play received rave reviews from critics and audiences in both the Sheffield and London productions.
Awards and nominations
Sheffield production YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult2019UK Theatre AwardsBest New PlayBest DirectorMax WebsterBest DesignNick Barnes, Finn Caldwell, Carolyn Downing, Andrzej Goulding, Tim Hatley and Tim LutkinBest Performance in a PlayHiran Abeysekera2020WhatsOnStage AwardsBest New Play Best Regional Production
London production YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult2022Laurence Olivier AwardsBest New Play Best DirectorMax Webster Best ActorHiran Abeysekera Best Actor in a Supporting RoleFred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Habib Nasib Nader, Tom Stacy and Scarlet Wilderink Best Sound DesignCarolyn Downing Best Lighting DesignAndrzej Goulding and Tim Lutkin Best Set DesignTim Hatley (set), Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (puppetry) Best Theatre ChoreographerFinn Caldwell Best Original Score or New OrchestrationsAndrew T. Mackay
Broadway Production + Year Award Category Nominee Result2023Tony AwardsBest Direction of a PlayMax WebsterBest Scenic Design of a PlayTim Hatley and Andrzej GouldingBest Costume Design of a PlayTim Hatley, Nick Barnes, and Finn CaldwellBest Lighting Design of a PlayTim LutkinBest Sound Design of a PlayCarolyn DowningDrama Desk AwardsOutstanding Direction of a PlayMax WebsterOutstanding Lead Performance in a PlayHiran AbeysekeraOutstanding Scenic Design of a PlayTim HatleyOutstanding Video or Projection DesignAndrzej GouldingOutstanding PuppetryNick Barnes and Finn CaldwellDrama League AwardsOutstanding Production of a PlayDistinguished PerformanceHiran AbeysekeraTheatre World AwardsOutstanding Debut PerformanceOuter Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding New Broadway PlayOutstanding Director of a PlayMax WebsterOutstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway PlayHiran AbeysekeraOutstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)Tim LutkinOutstanding Video or Projection Design (Play or Musical)Andrzej Goulding
External links Official website
References