Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

[ladidah]

Staff are very mixed here, one told me 'this is the box office queue for guest tickets, not you,' and rolled his eyes and another was an angel and went to a great effort to find my ticket when it was hard to locate in the system.

[apubleed]

People need to realise that it's actually the paying customers not papered tickets that need to be treated with respect! We are the customers!!!

[jaybird89]

Absolutely loving this so far couple of off lyrics but overall very slick highlights so far are of course Patricia Hodge and Zizi Strallen, looking forward to act two I really forget how much this show makes me smile:-)

[ladidah]

Amazing so far! What an atmosphere

[Steve]

Apr 30, 2024 10:39:36 GMT apubleed said:

I kind of loved it but did anyone find act one stronger than act two? Act two gives the much needed story arc but felt a bit boring to me haha.

Well, I'm in the interval, and Zizi Strallen, as Fastrada, has made it absolutely impossible to top Act 1!

She's one part breathy, hissing, camp, gurning, eye-popping, scheming, scene-stealing Disney villain, one part high-kicking gold-dressed showgirl, who can freeze with her leg up (her son Lewis was literally talking to her leg half the time lol), and one part stand-up, her line deliveries so OTT that they were downright hilarious! The moment that Strallen, doing a half handstand, rolled the King's crown suggestively up and down her outstretched leg was magical for being so outrageously preposterous.

That number alone was worth the price of the ticket right there.

Patricia Hodge sang far far better than I expected, and poignantly, as observed above, and like Strallen, she had the showmanship to just own the audience and command them to sing (the chorus words on a large banner behind her), and then the regal authority just to command a stop so she could sensitively sing the last verse to Pippin herself! Marvellous!

And yes, the sound was PERFECT! Is it that Drury Lane is just acoustically better than the Palladium, or is it that purple box reigning in the percussion (cos Jesus, the percussion destroyed the sound of "Made in Dagenham" at the Palladium)?

Anyhow, kudos to the producers. And Kudos too for hiring these 2 young Bob Fosses (Amonik Melaco and Jak Allen-Anderson) to dance so fabulously, and exuding such variety and sheer showbiz life force! You hear a "concert" and you really worry they'll cut costs by skimping on the dance numbers, but these numbers are THRILLING!

Cedric Neal absolutely rocked Charlemagne too, with camp prancing and trilling interspersed with commanding authority.

Add Alex Newell, as the Leading Player, stalking around and teasing and brilliantly and beautifully belting in her blue outfit and Jac Yarrow (kitted out in a golden robe reminiscent of his coat of multi-colours from "Joseph") as the slightly dim-witted but uber-confident sparrow-like calm at the centre of this storm of a show, and this was a total smash of a first half. . .

Bring on Act 2:

(Edit to include Act 2. . .)

Ok, so this was a 5 star concert, for me, the best revival concert of a full show, in my opinion, since Maria Friedman's concert version of "Witches of Eastwick" outdid the original. . .

Lucie Jones, absolute perfection as Pippin's love interest, Catherine, the role Patricia Hodge played 50 years ago, was my highlight of Act 2!

Jones nailed both layers of the role, the OTT slightly sickly, yet somehow utterly endearing breathy try-hard sweetness of Catherine, but also simultaneously the meta-role of the dimbulb actress playing Catherine, tottering around the stage self-consciously over-emphatic, ever-petrified of getting another scolding from the caustic, cutting, commanding, Leading Player scornfully barking orders at her!

The superb balancing act of Jones's performance set up both Jac Yarrow's Pippin and Alex Newell's Leading Player to get major laughs!

Yarrow's Pippin, jaded by his adventures in the first half, was much funnier in the second half, developing a seriously dismissive attitude to Catherine, a yawning eyerolling boredom which escalated exponentially the sweeter she got, leading to bigger and bigger laughs.

Newell's Leading Player also benefitted by playing opposite Jones, as the more Jones tottered around looking hapless, the more Newell could bark at her, the more hapless and helpless Jones became, allowing Newell to play ever-more uber-mean for maximum mirth.

Even the orchestra made me laugh at one point, waving coloured wristbands about in mock celebration of Pippin's antics, a kind of parody of a Coldplay concert.

All in all, 5 stars from me of wall to wall joy, without question.

[ladidah]

I really enjoyed it, the talent on stage was amazing. Act 2 was very out there, but I got what they were going for.

[fluxcapacitor]

Thoroughly enjoyed this last night. Went in expecting Alex Newell to be the highlight, but as incredible as they were Zizi Strallen stole the show for me. Clearly having the time of her life and playing with every single line, finding innuendos where there have never been any before and sailing dangerously and cleverly close to pure camp nonsense. Absolutely brilliant. Patricia Hodge was also a highlight. Jack Yarrow is fine, more than capable, but does lack a certain something when he’s sharing a stage with such star power.

The orchestra was brilliant, enhanced by the choir. I don’t love Pippin as a show, but the music is fantastic so I loved that this was such a celebration of it, with the music and the orchestra quite literally taking centre stage.

[ladidah]

Zizi is incredible, why has no one found her a new big starring role yet? (I did see her in that Marie Antoniette musical showcase)

[ThereWillBeSun]

Apr 30, 2024 18:09:03 GMT ladidah said:

Staff are very mixed here, one told me 'this is the box office queue for guest tickets, not you,' and rolled his eyes and another was an angel and went to a great effort to find my ticket when it was hard to locate in the system.

I would email into LW Theatres ladidah - not acceptable.

[bigredapple]

May 1, 2024 7:47:59 GMT ladidah said:

Zizi is incredible, why has no one found her a new big starring role yet? (I did see her in that Marie Antoniette musical showcase)

I loved her in Cake, true star power in an otherwise meh show

I suppose maybe she’s waiting for the right role? Something that can showcase all her talent. I’d love to see her on stage again soon

[ladidah]

She was the best thing in that too!

[jampot]

Great in rock follies too!

[shownut]

I wish I could say I had a brilliant time at this last night but I found it was a very mixed bag.

Yes, some of the lead performances were incredible (especially Zizi, Patricia, Alex and Lucy) but overall it left me cold.

I love the show itself and saw the stellar Broadway revival at The Music Box a couple of times (and was one of the few that adored the Menier production). But what this concert version might have delivered in volume and sparkle, it lacked in heart and getting to the core of the piece. It seemed geared toward the X Factor/HEATHERS crowd that can't seem to watch a show without whooping and hollering everytime a performer does a vocal run and, based on the folks sitting around me (who came in armed with more drinks than they could carry for both acts), they got what they came for.

Cedric Neal was fine in terms of his Charlemagne scenes but the ridiclous vocal runs during " War Is A Science" and the whooping and hollering that ensued more than pissed me off. It shows the disrespect some performers have of not letting the material shine and instead throwing in vocal acrobatics that are unnecessary and out of tone with the actual piece. I know I am very much in the minority here but I got less interested in the show at that point and had to settle for the fact that was a 'check your brain at the door' PIPPIN and not an honest rendering of the material which (even in concert) does have heart, nuance and one hell of a point for those paying attention. But based on the folks sitting around me, none of that mattered. Pity.

I did think the band/choir were exceptional.

Going to be a solid 3 stars from me.

[benj]

I absolutely loved this last night. I’d never seen Pippin before and only knew a couple of the songs, but I’ve been listening to the soundtrack all day today. Everyone earned their place on that stage - they were all uniquely brilliant. I’m so pleased I went for the last minute ticket.
I took it for what it was; a semi-staged concert, so I wasn’t expecting a full production, but I was pleasantly surprised by how slick it all was.
I hope they release the recording of it too. It was a very special night.
Very easy 5 stars.

[fluxcapacitor]

May 1, 2024 11:51:30 GMT shownut said:

I wish I could say I had a brilliant time at this last night but I found it was a very mixed bag.

Yes, some of the lead performances were incredible (especially Zizi, Patricia, Alex and Lucy) but overall it left me cold.

I love the show itself and saw the stellar Broadway revival at The Music Box a couple of times (and was one of the few that adored the Menier production). But what this concert version might have delivered in volume and sparkle, it lacked in heart and getting to the core of the piece. It seemed geared toward the X Factor/HEATHERS crowd that can't seem to watch a show without whooping and hollering everytime a performer does a vocal run and, based on the folks sitting around me (who came in armed with more drinks than they could carry for both acts), they got what they came for.

Cedric Neal was fine in terms of his Charlemagne scenes but the ridiclous vocal runs during " War Is A Science" and the whooping and hollering that ensued more than pissed me off. It shows the disrespect some performers have of not letting the material shine and instead throwing in vocal acrobatics that are unnecessary and out of tone with the actual piece. I know I am very much in the minority here but I got less interested in the show at that point and had to settle for the fact that was a 'check your brain at the door' PIPPIN and not an honest rendering of the material which (even in concert) does have heart, nuance and one hell of a point for those paying attention. But based on the folks sitting around me, none of that mattered. Pity.

I did think the band/choir were exceptional.

Going to be a solid 3 stars from me.

This actually sums up very much what I felt. It took me the first few numbers to warm to it as there were whoops and cheers any time someone threw out a riff, but I think once I’d accepted that I could enjoy it for what it was - an elaborate concert concentrated on the music and the vocals rather than telling the story and the emotion. Once I accepted that it helped me enjoy the highs, such as the standout performers and the stellar orchestra/choir which I previously mentioned.

[shownut]

May 1, 2024 14:38:36 GMT fluxcapacitor said:

May 1, 2024 11:51:30 GMT shownut said:

I wish I could say I had a brilliant time at this last night but I found it was a very mixed bag.

Yes, some of the lead performances were incredible (especially Zizi, Patricia, Alex and Lucy) but overall it left me cold.

I love the show itself and saw the stellar Broadway revival at The Music Box a couple of times (and was one of the few that adored the Menier production). But what this concert version might have delivered in volume and sparkle, it lacked in heart and getting to the core of the piece. It seemed geared toward the X Factor/HEATHERS crowd that can't seem to watch a show without whooping and hollering everytime a performer does a vocal run and, based on the folks sitting around me (who came in armed with more drinks than they could carry for both acts), they got what they came for.

Cedric Neal was fine in terms of his Charlemagne scenes but the ridiclous vocal runs during " War Is A Science" and the whooping and hollering that ensued more than pissed me off. It shows the disrespect some performers have of not letting the material shine and instead throwing in vocal acrobatics that are unnecessary and out of tone with the actual piece. I know I am very much in the minority here but I got less interested in the show at that point and had to settle for the fact that this was a 'check your brain at the door' PIPPIN and not an honest rendering of the material which (even in concert) does have heart, nuance and one hell of a point for those paying attention. But based on the folks sitting around me, none of that mattered. Pity.

I did think the band/choir were exceptional.

Going to be a solid 3 stars from me.

This actually sums up very much what I felt. It took me the first few numbers to warm to it as there were whoops and cheers any time someone threw out a riff, but I think once I’d accepted that I could enjoy it for what it was - an elaborate concert concentrated on the music and the vocals rather than telling the story and the emotion. Once I accepted that it helped me enjoy the highs, such as the standout performers and the stellar orchestra/choir which I previously mentioned.

I wish I could have followed your example but given that excessive drinking in the audience is going well beyond norms and audiences often behave these days as if they are witnessing X Factor instead of a relatively serious (but fun) piece of musical theatre, I am beginning to question whether theatregoing is something I really want to invest in anymore. Last night's audience reception was disturbing to me. I literally had to cover my ears at times but the screaming/cheering was excessive (and generally coming from under-30s with a ton of booze in hand and no regard whatesoever for anyone sitting around them). It now seems as though many in the audience want to BE the show and draw attention to their reactions/pull focus from the actual performers rather than settle in and humbly let the art speak for itself.

My brochure for ROH arrived today and perhaps that's where my sensibilities as a patron need to be directed. At 57 years and a lifetime of theatregoing, I am starting not to recognise or enjoy what once was a huge passion.

Rant over.

[alece10]

Don't know if I'm getting senile but I didn't feel there was excessive whooping and cheering on Monday night and I usually hate that kind of thing - looking at you BGT! Certainly the audience was enthusiastic, but rightly so as it was an amazing concert. I thought the audience reaction added to the atmosphere.
You would have hated the Cool Rider concert which was Pippin x 10 for audience reaction.

[BurlyBeaR]

May 1, 2024 11:51:30 GMT shownut said:

Cedric Neal was fine in terms of his Charlemagne scenes but the ridiclous vocal runs during " War Is A Science" and the whooping and hollering that ensued more than pissed me off. It shows the disrespect some performers have of not letting the material shine and instead throwing in vocal acrobatics that are unnecessary and out of tone with the actual piece. I know I am very much in the minority here but I got less interested in the show at that point and had to settle for the fact that was a 'check your brain at the door' PIPPIN and not an honest rendering of the material which (even in concert) does have heart, nuance and one hell of a point for those paying attention. But based on the folks sitting around me, none of that mattered. Pity.

Totally agree with you. These people have invariably been in the business for five minutes and take it upon themselves to start messing with the composer’s material? Just sit down. 

[Being Alive]

I get vocal gymnastics not being to everyone's taste, but to say Cedric's been in the business for 5 minutes just...isn't true.

[Steve]

May 1, 2024 16:01:20 GMT shownut said:

My brochure for ROH arrived today and perhaps that's where my sensibilities as a patron need to be directed. At 57 years and a lifetime of theatregoing, I am starting not to recognise or enjoy what once was a huge passion.

Rant over.

You're entitled to a rant if you paid good money and didn't enjoy yourself.

I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, though.

This was advertised as a birthday party of sorts ("50th anniversary") and people tend to get raucous if they think they're at a birthday celebration.

I saw "Next to Normal" twice at the Donmar and you could hear a pin drop both times, and people were crying not cheering, for the most part.

Sure, they ovated the actors, but they ovate like hell at the opera house too. And there, they even boo if they don't like something, and I never heard rudeness like that at the theatre. At least not directed at the actors lol.

I remember one bloke at the opera house about 5 years ago just started smoking, and the guy next to him practically threw him out. The chap only spoke Italian, so maybe didn't know about the smoking ban lol.

Maybe just avoid anything that uses the words "anniversary," "concert" (people associate that word with gigs, for better or for worse), and avoid anything which is primarily camp, cos camp means party time.

[shownut]

May 1, 2024 16:33:32 GMT Steve said:

May 1, 2024 16:01:20 GMT shownut said:

My brochure for ROH arrived today and perhaps that's where my sensibilities as a patron need to be directed. At 57 years and a lifetime of theatregoing, I am starting not to recognise or enjoy what once was a huge passion.

Rant over.

You're entitled to a rant if you paid good money and didn't enjoy yourself.

I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, though.

This was advertised as a birthday party of sorts ("50th anniversary") and people tend to get raucous if they think they're at a birthday celebration.

I saw "Next to Normal" twice at the Donmar and you could hear a pin drop both times, and people were crying not cheering, for the most part.

Sure, they ovated the actors, but they ovate like hell at the opera house too. And there, they even boo if they don't like something, and I never heard rudeness like that at the theatre. At least not directed at the actors lol.

I remember one bloke at the opera house about 5 years ago just started smoking, and the guy next to him practically threw him out. The chap only spoke Italian, so maybe didn't know about the smoking ban lol.

Maybe just avoid anything that uses the words "anniversary," "concert" (people associate that word with gigs, for better or for worse), and avoid anything which is primarily camp, cos camp means party time.

I can 'ovate' with the best of them if I feel it is deserved, but having attended many of these concerts (EVITA, CHESS, WITCHES OF EASTWICK), nothing was as offputting as the behaviour at last nights show...at the least in rear(ish) house right stalls where I was sat last night. 

My NEXT TO NORMAL experience (preview) was scuppered by the projection designer and his assistant literally pointing and gesturing at the projections and talking to each other throughout the entire first act. We had words.....

But going back for the transfer with hopes that the audience bring their brains and their manners (and perhaps a few less cocktails). I enjoy a drink like most folks but Jessica Christ....these days....

[shownut]

May 1, 2024 16:28:22 GMT Being Alive said:

I get vocal gymnastics not being to everyone's taste, but to say Cedric's been in the business for 5 minutes just...isn't true.

Then he REALLY should know better. I made allowances for it in GUYS & DOLLS (given that the musical arrangement was a bit more 'gospelized') but "War Is A Science"? I think I'll avoid his appearances going forward. We get it. He can do vocal runs. Now how about singing the damn melody that the composer wrote?

[BurlyBeaR]

May 1, 2024 16:28:22 GMT Being Alive said:

I get vocal gymnastics not being to everyone's taste, but to say Cedric's been in the business for 5 minutes just...isn't true.

I was generalising, of course. 

[nancycunard]

I’m in my mid 20s and was there last night and have to say I did find the whooping excessive! I chalked it up more to the fact that it was a concert, as someone else has pointed out, rather than to excessive drinking or a particular age group, but it felt unnecessary and was distracting. (I was in left side of the dress.)

I don't often see things that attract the “Heathers” demographic, but I’ve seen equally as bad behaviour at the Ralph Fiennes Macbeth, for one example. I wasn’t overly taken with Cedric Neal’s acrobatics either, though.

But a good night, overall, with Patricia Hodge the stand out for me.

[Being Alive]

May 1, 2024 16:46:33 GMT shownut said:

May 1, 2024 16:28:22 GMT Being Alive said:

I get vocal gymnastics not being to everyone's taste, but to say Cedric's been in the business for 5 minutes just...isn't true.

Then he REALLY should know better. I made allowances for it in GUYS & DOLLS (given that the musical arrangement was a bit more 'gospelized') but "War Is A Science"? I think I'll avoid his appearances going forward. We get it. He can do vocal runs. Now how about singing the damn melody that the composer wrote?

I'd argue that's a criticism for the MD /director letting that happen.