Life Of Pi at the Cliffs Pavilion Review by Lynn Carroll

October 12, 2023

It is high time that I made a confession: I think I am a bit of a theatre Philistine.

There, I have said it and I confess to often feeling a bit of a fraud, and very unqualified, to write reviews on the result of the hard work of many far more qualified people who bring these productions to the stage.

Why do I say this? Because try as I may I just don’t understand why anyone felt that Life of Pi would be suitable for the stage. I haven’t seen the film but I can imagine I would like it now I know the story. On film, with the advantage of special effects, it would probably be an amazing spectacle.

But before I delve deeper into my own personal feelings about it I have to say that I was probably the only one in the theatre to feel as I did. The applause and standing ovation at the close spoke for itself. Yes, I am definitely a Philistine judging by the response of the majority of the audience.

I owe an explanation of my own thoughts on this show, but am wary of swaying readers away from an experience they may well thoroughly enjoy, as I freely acknowledge I am absolutely in the minority on this occasion. Even my guest for the evening enjoyed the performance so I know the fault lies with me.

So, let’s get to the good part: It was a very clever production. The animatronics were amazing but again it is surely my own shortcoming that wishes to see the non human ‘actors’ strolling around the stage without human intervention, an impossibility of course. I could only see the people working the animals. I fully recognise their talent and even I could see how wonderfully well they captured the natural movements of wild animals.

The actors all played their part extremely well too, but having to project their voices to the whole auditorium, and added to the many accents, meant that I missed a lot of the dialogue. I found myself wondering where the sound technology was. My ears are probably older than yours so I am sure this will not be a problem for most. I admire people who can put aside what their eyes are seeing and use their imagination to enjoy, understand and lose themselves in this type of theatre experience. By the second half I was practically there, my brain becoming accustomed to being used alongside my sight.

There is a long history of puppetry, and now animatronics, in entertainment. Who can forget Thunderball, Sesame Street, Fireball XL5, and the very memorable, very pink Lady Penelope and Parker, her butler? It is an art in itself and it has a great following, justifiably so. If you enjoy this art form you will love this show and let me tell you, the longest and loudest applause was for the Tiger!

The Life of Pi is showing at the Cliffs Pavilion until Saturday 14th October.