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’s sexually abused lawyer is spared no misery
6 / 10
The nudity is hardly shocking in the mix of it all, and comes so often that we feel inured to the sight of men – mostly Norton – slipping out of their trousers. Where Yanagihara faced some charges of appropriation in her depiction of male friendship and gay desire, that criticism cannot be applied to this adaptation by Koen Tachelet, Van Hove and Yanagihara. The consensual sex, when it comes, does not seem gratuitous.
Ivo Van Hove’s adaptation starring James Norton is cold, surgical and humourless
4 / 10
Yanagihara’s perspective seems to be that abuse messes you up for life, making emotional intimacy almost impossible and suicide the only way out. Van Hove’s production reinforces that, creating a production that’s so painful to watch that, like Jude, you wish it would all just stop. But it’s both a hugely irresponsible message, and a false one. Real-life suffering is more complex, interspersed with moments of joy, care and healing – and recovery is too precious to give up on.
Category
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?
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.
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
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 |
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