Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

[theatremiss]

Flippin ‘eck Zizzi chucked herself around a lot. All those splits and legs in all directions seemed to be channelling her inner Bonnie.

[Mark]

This was definitely in the “really really good” concert zone. That’s how you do it, and with a wonderful cast all round. A few missed sound cues forgiven.

[c4ndyc4ne]

thank god there are producers who can make sure sound design is done properly for concerts!

[benj]

Just grabbed a ticket for the front row dress circle for tomorrow’s show. Really looking forward to it. Glad to hear the sound has been done properly! It’s so important to get it right!!

[ruthieh]

That was absolutely fantastic. A few early sound issues, but all sorted quickly. Stellar cast performed this with fun, enthusiasm and plenty of talent!

[capybara]

Well, that was brilliant. Surely the best concert revival of a musical I’ve seen to date. Having had a little taster of ‘Magic To Do’ and ‘Corner of the Sky’ at last year’s Stephen Schwartz birthday concert, I knew the score would be sumptuous but this really did exceed my expectations.

With a dream cast, this really was a special concert. These events can be so hit and miss, often plagued by a lack of rehearsal time and sound issues (there were still too many noticeable mic drops), so I opted for a cheap ticket up in the balcony. Fortunately, there is no bad view at the truly majestic Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the buzzing atmosphere travelled up to those of us in the Gods.

The highlight once again proved to be Zizi Strallen, whose presence in any show’s company must now surely make it a must-see. Her Fastrada was everything you’d expect. ‘Spread a Little Sunshine’ was a *moment* and her interpretation of what I assume was Fosse’s original choreography was spellbinding. She is ridiculously good in every role.

Then, after spending most of Act One, watching on from the wings, Lucie Jones was fantastic as Catherine. She had great chemistry with Jac Yarrow (Pippin) and gave us some genuinely funny comedy moments, as well as her trademark luscious vocals in the second half of the show.

Alex Newell brought the charisma and attitude as the Leading Player and smashed the vast majority of numbers. Special mentions for Patricia Hodge (what a reception after ‘No Time At All’!) and Cedric Neal, who was suitably soulful as Charlemagne. However, it was the ensemble numbers that sparkled the brightest.

Unlike many of these concerts, this was not (just) a cash grab but came across as a genuine celebration of Pippin’s 50th anniversary. The orchestra sounded sublime and, as previously mentioned, the choreography was off the scale. It seems some serious preparation has gone into these two nights.

I don’t necessarily love the book but I reckon I could grow to. Pippin can be a little bonkers in places but that’s all part of the charm. It really lends itself to this sort of occasion. A wonderful night at Drury Lane.

Four stars.

[Being Alive]

This was way better than I'd expected it to be!

Few early sound issues, and it still wasn't super when everyone (choir, orchestra and soloists) sang all together, but on the whole it was actually very good.

Alex Newell sings up a storm and has such magnetic stage energy.
Yarrow is a bit wet but it sort of works.
Zizi gives her aunt Bonnie a run for her money with her splits and kicks.

Found Patricia Hodge to be unbelievably moving though if I'm honest. Original London Catherine back as Berthe and totally stealing the show - what an icon.

Highly recommend this if you can pick up one of the few remaining tickets for tomorrow (I'd go again if I was free put it that way)

[alece10]

This was a great concert and filmed via many cameras around the theatre so hopefully we will get another chance to see it. Looked and sounded beautiful. Most definitely one of the better concerts and you could see time and money was put into it. Loved hearing it performed by a large orchestra and choir from Arts Ed.
Performers were excellent and so lovely to see Patricia Hodge as Bertha who was having a great time.
Alex Newell had such a powerful voice and glad they didn't riff too much. Loved Zizi, boy can she dance (what is it about that family?)
And I thought Jac Yarrow as Pippin was perfectly cast. Such a likeable young man, great voice and a nifty dancer.
The dancing was brilliant with lots of nods to Fosse.
I'd happily watch that all over again.

Also did anyone see Marisha Wallace in the centre stalls?

[iantheknow]

Loved it tonight. A classy concert where they actually took time and effort especially with the sound. Utterly fantastic

[theatrekiwi]

Grabbed a ticket for tonight off the back of the comments.
TKTS has some decent offers if anyone is looking.

Edit to add - does anyone have a rough running time from last night?

[alece10]

Apr 30, 2024 8:29:07 GMT theatrekiwi said:

Grabbed a ticket for tonight off the back of the comments.
TKTS has some decent offers if anyone is looking.

Edit to add - does anyone have a rough running time from last night?

I think we came out about 10pm last night and it started about 10 mins late.

[ladidah]

Thanks for the tip, just got a great last minute ticket for tonight!

I don't know a lot about the show, so excited to experience it all.

[jaybird89]

I'm really looking forward to this tonight. I love Pippin and wasn't sure to book or not but made a rushed decision on Friday to book a discounted seat on Today Tix for front row stalls and I'm so so glad I did now after hearing reports from last night :-).

[BurlyBeaR]

Apr 30, 2024 9:11:26 GMT ladidah said:

Thanks for the tip, just got a great last minute ticket for tonight!

I don't know a lot about the show, so excited to experience it all.

It’s a bit wacky. You kind of have to just go with it. 

[apubleed]

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.

[alece10]

If you are sitting in front stalls be prepared to get covered in gold confetti towards the beginning.

[apubleed]

Omg how LOUD were those moments. I don’t know if it had the intended effect. It literally sounded like a gun or bomb went off or something and made me scared lol.

[Mark]

Apr 30, 2024 12:03:23 GMT apubleed said:

Omg how LOUD were those moments. I don’t know if it had the intended effect. It literally sounded like a gun or bomb went off or something and made me scared lol.

Omgosh, so loud! The look on Alex's face when it went off during the finale!

[alece10]

Apr 30, 2024 12:14:29 GMT Mark said:

Apr 30, 2024 12:03:23 GMT apubleed said:

Omg how LOUD were those moments. I don’t know if it had the intended effect. It literally sounded like a gun or bomb went off or something and made me scared lol.

Omgosh, so loud! The look on Alex's face when it went off during the finale!

I know. It frightened the s**t out of me.

[blamerobots]

Gutted! I didn't realise I had plans tonight, was totally gonna impulse buy a ticket and hurry up to London ;-;

What's the chances of a film release? All this talk of it being filmed but what if it joins the ranks of the WE proshots currently in the vault... too depressing to think about!

[alece10]

Apr 30, 2024 12:53:22 GMT blamerobots said:

Gutted! I didn't realise I had plans tonight, was totally gonna impulse buy a ticket and hurry up to London ;-;

What's the chances of a film release? All this talk of it being filmed but what if it joins the ranks of the WE proshots currently in the vault... too depressing to think about!

Don't know what the plans are but there were lots of cameras, more than for just archive purposes. I counted 5 in the stalls alone and they were proper bigguns!

[esteveyb]

Those loud shots made my heart stop!

I think there are posters around about the filming for release - I imagine there is some money behind it as it's the 50th anniversary!

[LaLuPone]

Have 1 ticket for sale for tonight. Balcony G40. Not a particularly good seat but only wanting £10 for it. Please P.M. if interested!

[blamerobots]

Apr 30, 2024 14:00:29 GMT alece10 said:

Apr 30, 2024 12:53:22 GMT blamerobots said:

Gutted! I didn't realise I had plans tonight, was totally gonna impulse buy a ticket and hurry up to London ;-;

What's the chances of a film release? All this talk of it being filmed but what if it joins the ranks of the WE proshots currently in the vault... too depressing to think about!

Don't know what the plans are but there were lots of cameras, more than for just archive purposes. I counted 5 in the stalls alone and they were proper bigguns!

That's definitely interesting! Big cameras, and lots of them, can mean filmed for TV broadcast possibly.

Reminds me of how the cameras looked when they were filming Gypsy with Imelda Staunton.

[Joseph Buquet]

I counted 8 cameras in the stalls!