Loltia’s Chakrabarti‘s adaptation of Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel scored ‘Best New Play’ at this year’s Olivier Awards. Hiran Abeysekera won Best Actor for his central performance as Pi, and – in an historic first for the Olivier Awards – the seven performers who play ‘Richard Parker’, the puppet tiger – Fred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Habib Nasib Nader, Tom Stacy and Scarlet Wilderink – were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Finn Caldwell was also awarded ‘Best Set Design’ for this wonderfully innovative puppetry work, and Max Webster was nominated for ‘Best Director’.
The production also picked up the award for ‘Best Lighting design’.
Lolita Chakrabarti said its success was a “testament to the story” created by Martel, describing it as an “absolute modern classic”. Fred David, one of the seven actors of the Tiger, said during their acceptance speech that this award was “phenomenal” and a “landmark moment in puppetry across the board”.
He added: “Hopefully, it opens the door for more puppets in central roles in theatre in the future.”
Full list of winners can be found at The Stage.
