A Little Life
Closing: June 18, 2023A Little Life - 2023 West End History , Info & More
Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton Street London SW1Y 4DN London
__James Norton__ (*Happy Valley*, *Grantchester*) stars in the theatrical event of 2023 as visionary director __Ivo van Hove__ (*Network*, *Hedda Gabler*) stages the English language premiere of *A Little Life*, his acclaimed production of the million-copy bestseller by __Hanya Yanagihara__ (*To Paradise*, Booker Prize Shortlist for *A Little Life*).
The much-anticipated play also stars __Luke Thompson__ (*Bridgerton*, *Hamlet*), __Omari Douglas__ (*It’s A Sin*, *Constellations*), __Zach Wyatt__ (*The Witcher*, *I and You*), __Elliot Cowan__ (*The Crown*, *2:22 A Ghost Story*), __Zubin Varla__ (*Tammy Faye*, *Equus*), __Nathalie Armin__ (*Force Majeure*, *The Doctor*), and __Emilio Doorgasingh__ (*Best of Enemies*, *The Kite Runner*).
A LITTLE LIFE follows four college friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, successful architect Malcolm, struggling artist JB, and prodigious lawyer Jude.
As ambition, addiction, and pride threaten to pull the group apart, they always find themselves bound by their love for Jude and the mysteries of his past.
But when those secrets come to light, they finally learn that to know Jude St Francis is to understand the limitless potential of love in the face of life.
__Assisted performances__
Captioned: Wednesday 7th June, 7pm
Audio Described: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 7pm
BSL: Tuesday 23rd May 2023, 7pm
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR A Little Life
James Norton is extraordinary
8 / 10
Van Hove, whose adaptation was created with Yanagihara and Koen Tachelet, offers us an experience that feels closer to the dogged fatalism and catharsis of Greek tragedy. Leaner, nimbler and, with designs by Jan Versweyveld, visually indelible, this stage version liberates the twisted fairytale at the heart of the narrative, becoming more of a fable, more powerfully symbolic and less tangled in extraneous detail and portentous pontificating. It is so harrowing as to be nearly unbearable, yet it rarely wallows. In fact, it is a production of cool temperature, handling atrocity with clinical precision, and moments of grace with an economical elegance.
James Norton bares his soul in second-rate melodrama
4 / 10
The play, inevitably can only deliver a precis of a book that sprawls over some 700 pages. Sometimes the pace reminded me of the unhappy stage adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Tudor epic The Mirror and the Light. The other obvious problem is that the storyline — including the bleak twist at the end — is so implausible. Strip away the gore and the gossip about Norton’s private parts, and what do you have? A stylishly mounted, second-rate melodrama.
Category
1 - 3 of 3
Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of A LITTLE LIFE, Starring James Norton?
by Aliya Al-Hassan - April 6, 2023
by Aliya Al-Hassan - April 6, 2023
The stage production of the million-copy bestseller by Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life, has now opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Starring James Norton, Luke Thompson, Omari Douglas , Zach Wyatt, Elliot Cowan , Zubin Varla, Nathalie Armin and Emilio Doorgasingh, Ivo van Hove's production runs until 18 June. What did the critics think?
Review: A LITTLE LIFE, Harold Pinter Theatre
by Cindy Marcolina - April 5, 2023
by Cindy Marcolina - April 5, 2023
The play it's certain to divide audiences and critics alike: its effect ultimately depends on what one looks for. It's only a shadow of the book, but, realistically, this is probably the best stage adaptation fans and sceptics will get.
Photos: See James Norton, Ivo van Hove, Luke Thompson & More at A LITTLE LIFE's Gala Night
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 31, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 31, 2023
Check out photos from A Little Life's Gala Night at the Harold Pinter Theatre!
A Little Life FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long has A Little Life been running on the West End?
A Little Life opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre on Saturday Mar 25, 2023 and has now been running for 2 months.
A Little Life History
Other Productions of A Little Life
| 2022 | Off-Broadway |
BAM Next Wave US Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
| 2023 | West End |
West End |
Videos