Yann Martel News

Top stories include an update on Patti LuPone giving up her Equity Card, plus meet the cast of Some Like It Hot, casting announced for the North American premiere of Life of Pi, and more!

American Repertory Theater has announced the cast of Life of Pi, written by Lolita Chakrabarti based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel and directed by Max Webster. Life of Pi is currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End where it won five Olivier Awards including Best New Play, Best Scenic Design, and Best Lighting Design.

A cargo ship sinks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, causing misery and pain to all involved. Amongst the survivors is a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi; accompanying him is a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger – all of whom are attempting to co-inhabit a small lifeboat. It sounds extraordinarily unbelievable, but surely even in the most surreal there is truth to be found. It is up to Lulu Chen and Mr Okamoto – lawyers hired by the ships firm – to get to the bottom of this magical mystery.

New photos from Life of Pi, running at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End have been released. Check out the photos here!

100,000 new tickets have been released for the final booking period of the West End production of Life of Pi. Nuwan Hugh Perera, who is currently the alternate Pi, will take over the title role on 7 September 2022 with Chirag Benedict Lobo joining the cast as the new alternate Pi.  

A new, five-person version of an award-winning docudrama by longtime A.R.T. collaborator Anna Deavere Smith and the North American premiere of a new adaptation of Chaucer’s tale The Wife of Bath that celebrates community and the human knack for telling tales were announced today as additions to the 2022/23 programming lineup at A.R.T.

American Repertory Theater will produce in its 2022/23 Season the North American premiere of Life of Pi, the acclaimed theatrical adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti of the best-selling novel by Yann Martel. Max Webster will direct, with Tony Award winner Tim Hartley providing scenic and costume design and Finn Caldwell providing puppetry and movement direction.

Following phenomenal public demand and a remarkable haul of five prestigious Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, it was announced today (6 May 2022) that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti's dazzling stage adaption of Yann Martel's award-winning book at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End, has been extended until 30 October 2022.

Following its recently announced nine Olivier award nominations, it was announced today (17 March 2022) that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti's dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel's award-winning book, has been extended until 4 September 2022.

Following its triumphant West End opening at Wyndham's Theatre last week, producer Simon Friend today announced that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti's dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel's award-winning book, has been extended until 29 May 2022 with the release of 70,000 new tickets. 

Lolita Chakrabarti’s adaptation of Yann Martel’s Booker prize-winning novel Life of Pi received rave reviews when it debuted at Sheffield’s Crucible theatre back in 2019. The pandemic delayed the West End run, but it has now finally opened at the Wyndham’s theatre and goodness, it was worth the wait!

The highly anticipated West End premiere of Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s award-winning book has roared into the West End. 

Hiran Abeysekera makes a welcome return to the show in the central role of Pi, alongside Mina Anwar as Ma, Nicholas Khan as Father, Payal Mistry as Rani, Tom Espiner as Father Martin and Commmander Grant-Jones, Raj Ghatak as Mamaji and Pandit-Ji, Syreeta Kumar as Mrs Biology Kumar and Zaida Khan, David K.S. Tse as Mr Okamoto, Kirsten Foster as Lulu Chen, Habib Nasib Nader as Cook and Voice of Tiger.

As theatre comes roaring back, this autumn and winter see plenty of exciting new productions, including big West End musicals and intriguing plays. Here are the shows that we’re most looking forward to seeing.

Full casting has been announced for Life of Pi, the celebrated Sheffield Theatres production which will transfer to London this summer. Life of Pi a?' Lolita Chakrabarti's dazzling adaptation of Yann Martel's extraordinary, award-winning book a?' was awarded a string of five-star reviews when it opened in Sheffield last year.

The acclaimed stage adaptation of Life of Pi is headed to the West End and is aiming for Broadway in 2021!

The production team that ensured the show could go on after part of a West End theatre ceiling collapsed and the revival of much-loved pop magazine Smash Hits are among the nominees for The Stage Awards 2020, in association with Integro Insurance Brokers.

'One Discordant Violin' is an enthralling play adapted by Anthony Black from a short story by Yann Martel, the author of 'Life of Pi.' It is directed by Ann-Marie Kerr and Anthony Black, and features an original score by Aaron Collier and Jacques Mindreau.

The 2019 UK Theatre Awards winners were revealed today (Sunday 27 October) in a lunchtime ceremony at London's Guildhall.

The celebrated Sheffield Theatres production of Life of Pi will transfer to London in 2020. Life of Pi a?' Lolita Chakrabarti's dazzling adaptation of Yann Martel's extraordinary, award-winning book a?' was awarded a string of five-star reviews when it opened in Sheffield earlier this year.