1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Jul 7, 2021 0:26:52 GMT
Reporting back from the matinee today. Pippin is always a good show to watch. This is very much the same production as last year, but it's been restaged a bit and certainly benefits from the extra two cast members, the larger stage area and actors being allowed to share the same props. It is a very fast Pippin, all done and dusted in two hours including the interval (which really isn't needed). A few cuts and line changes from the Broadway version, but nothing too substantial. There's a band of two people (plus some recorded sections). It is still a preview, but the sound balancing needs some more work. The vocals just aren't loud enough in many places. But otherwise, it is performed by a strong and good looking cast. Ryan Anderson as Pippin is a solid dancer. It was great to see Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson, my first Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, again too. But all the cast are fluid and hold up in their roles. The audience today was spaced out even more than is needed for social distancing, so do go along and support this production if you can. It is one of those shows that gives me chills at all the right moments. Can a band be two people!?! !!!!! |
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Jul 11, 2021 13:47:33 GMT
I am here this afternoon
|
|
215 posts
|
Post by frosty on Jul 12, 2021 12:44:57 GMT
I saw this on Saturday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Talented young cast and loved the simple set dressing, it’s amazing what you can do with some tie dyed throws and fairy lights, very effective. I’d happily see this again.
|
|
3,334 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Jul 14, 2021 18:01:16 GMT
Nipped across to the Charing Cross Theatre this afternoon and managed to pick up a day seat (about 20 minutes before the start of the show). Fifth row, in case anyone is interested, but a great view from there and the sound balance was much better than my visit during previews.
All very polished again and the show whizzed through in just over 2 hours (including the interval).
I'd forgotten what midweek matinees were like. This one was nicely full (as far as social distancing allows), but it did pick up some of the more senior theatre goers. Good behaviour, including mask wearing, but you do get to hear the conversations when people try and follow the show (including an interesting one before the show where I "discovered" Pippin was going to be a show about someone going over Niagara Falls in a barrel!)
I'm sure I will be back again.
|
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Jul 15, 2021 22:27:32 GMT
Nipped across to the Charing Cross Theatre this afternoon and managed to pick up a day seat (about 20 minutes before the start of the show). Fifth row, in case anyone is interested, but a great view from there and the sound balance was much better than my visit during previews. All very polished again and the show whizzed through in just over 2 hours (including the interval). I'd forgotten what midweek matinees were like. This one was nicely full (as far as social distancing allows), but it did pick up some of the more senior theatre goers. Good behaviour, including mask wearing, but you do get to hear the conversations when people try and follow the show (including an interesting one before the show where I "discovered" Pippin was going to be a show about someone going over Niagara Falls in a barrel!) I'm sure I will be back again. How much was a day seat? Might try this next Thursday evening. |
|
3,334 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Jul 15, 2021 22:37:17 GMT
How much was a day seat? Might try this next Thursday evening. £15.50 in the theatre (card payment). I even got a printed ticket! You can also book them by phone on the day and from memory that’s £18.50, but it’s an 0844 number which is some horrific price like 60p a minute on top. I imagine when social distancing is removed next week, availability will be very good. |
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Jul 16, 2021 14:06:38 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by partytentdown on Jul 16, 2021 14:24:16 GMT
Oof, the music sounds very thin on that video. I did enjoy the version of this that was outside but they got a way with a lot of audience forgiveness given the circumstances, I would have hoped for a bit more of an orchestra indoors
|
|
8,103 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Jul 16, 2021 15:04:06 GMT
Music sounded fine to me on my phone (and its rather a good one).
I'm glad its been extended as the next few weeks are really busy for me (first time I've been able to say that for a while) and wouldn't have been able to fit it in. Now I can.
|
|
544 posts
|
Post by amp09 on Jul 29, 2021 21:17:04 GMT
Was at this evenings performance. What a stellar cast, not a single weak link. Genevieve Nicole was fantastic in ‘No Time At All’ and the male cast are very easy on the eye. Already booked again for next week, this deserves to be full every night. Hopefully they let us in earlier and not 2 minutes before it starts as it would’ve been nice to get a drink and I’m sure the theatre owners would’ve appreciated money in the tills.
|
|
1,470 posts
|
Post by mkb on Jul 30, 2021 0:40:29 GMT
I'd read so many positive things about Pippin that I was disappointed to be disappointed by it when I finally got to see this musical a few weeks ago. I couldn't fault the production; it just wasn't my thing.
What is worthy of note however is the truly awful balcony seating we booked. In theory, with a central stage in the round, these should have given a perfect view directly overlooking the performance area. What the seating plan does not tell you is that these seats are bolted to the floor and face "forwards" towards the end where the stage normally is. Unless you have thin legs, it's not even possible to swivel round and sit sideways on the seat to face the new stage.
I don't think these seats should be on sale if they can't reorient them through 90 degrees. Fortunately, a sympathetic box office agent agreed, and moved us downstairs before the show started.
|
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Jul 31, 2021 20:17:59 GMT
How brilliant! Pippin have just announced special ‘socially distanced performances’ ‘in consideration for those who are not ready to come back to theatre at full capacity’ Will definitely book Bravo Pippin http://instagram.com/p/CR9Jd49I2vK |
|
1,819 posts
|
Post by stevej678 on Jul 31, 2021 21:32:37 GMT
How brilliant! Pippin have just announced special ‘socially distanced performances’ ‘in consideration for those who are not ready to come back to theatre at full capacity’ Will definitely book Bravo Pippin I'm not sure I've ever known audiences at the Charing Cross Theatre be anything but socially distanced anyway!  This does sound like a nice, considerate idea though. Perhaps an alternative, in the same spirit but without a reduction in capacity, might be certain performances where face coverings are mandatory. |
|
527 posts
|
Post by vabbian on Aug 4, 2021 22:07:36 GMT
This was fantastic, will definitely be back before it closes.
The cast is so talented, such a shame to see them perform to half an audience.
Go get a ticket!
|
|
3,334 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Aug 7, 2021 20:02:15 GMT
The Pippin cast performed a few songs from the show at the Theatre Cafe earlier in the week. Video here:
|
|
|
|
Post by aweillperson on Aug 8, 2021 0:53:13 GMT
Saw the matinee yesterday (Sat) and found it to be very well done! Some passages of music were absent that I really missed though. Namely: the wacky circus music before War is a Science and before the Finale, and the fun battle music from Glory.
The music sounded really, really nice. I didn't miss the other instruments 90% of the time. The synth they use to fill in some parts works well with this production.
Cast was great, but the audience was a little dull. It really hurts when an actor does something truly funny, but the audience isn't into it. No Time At All (when the audience is FORCED to have fun) is when the show seemed to finally click with everyone. Until then, almost no laughs.
My only other complaint is that the mics were a tad too loud. I sat five rows back and yet every voice I heard came from above me, rather than from the stage. I always find that awkward.
Set was minimal, but practical and interesting to look at. Costumes and lighting were nice too. It was all very easy on the eyes.
Paid £18 for my seat and would do it again in a heartbeat! Seriously, what a deal!
|
|
423 posts
|
Post by dlevi on Aug 11, 2021 17:42:53 GMT
Saw the matinee this afternoon and I felt this was, at best a University production. Why couldn't the directer trust the material? Berthe's scene is funny and charming, it didn't need the ham-fisted schtick that was forced upon it. Why did the Leading Player have a hat which blocked his face most of the time? I was grateful they cut the post-"with You" dance sequence because the choreography was simply generic except for a couple of Fosse quote moves. I love Pippin ( well not that Menier one ). But I felt that this missed the mark by a mile.
|
|
|
|
Post by theatreboy on Aug 16, 2021 19:51:46 GMT
How brilliant! Pippin have just announced special ‘socially distanced performances’ ‘in consideration for those who are not ready to come back to theatre at full capacity’ Will definitely book Bravo Pippin I'm not sure I've ever known audiences at the Charing Cross Theatre be anything but socially distanced anyway! This does sound like a nice, considerate idea though. Perhaps an alternative, in the same spirit but without a reduction in capacity, might be certain performances where face coverings are mandatory. |
|
|
|
Post by theatreboy on Aug 16, 2021 19:52:18 GMT
"I'm not sure I've ever known audiences at the Charing Cross Theatre be anything but socially distanced anyway!"  |
|
527 posts
|
Post by vabbian on Aug 17, 2021 11:36:48 GMT
"I'm not sure I've ever known audiences at the Charing Cross Theatre be anything but socially distanced anyway!"  Seriously, I don't know if they don't have a marketing budget or whatever, but there are often great shows on at Charring Cross and it's a shame nobody ever sees them. When I mention Charring Cross to some of my friends (who are local Londoners) they have never even heard of it.... |
|
8,103 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 21, 2021 9:51:49 GMT
Went to see Pippin last night. It is one of my favourite musicals even though its quite bonkers.
I think what I like most about it is that there is a song in the middle that we can all join in with. I think all musicals should have a sing-a-long song in the future. Our side of the audience won hands down last night, probably because all the gays were sitting that side and we love to singalong.
I thought the cast were great with some really good singers and dancers. As already mentioned, a band of 2 with added pre-recorded music but sounded really good.
Liked the idea of it being performed almost in the round and sitting in row B was very close to the action.
Have to say I still prefer the Menier version and one minor gripe. Why do they all sing and speak with American accents? Its not set in the USA so I don't see the need to speak American. This happens in a lot of musicals that are not country specific and always annoys me.
On the mask front about 20% wearing them at the beginning and by the start of act 2 just 1 person (me!) I think the others took them off when they saw so few people wearing them.
Only about 30% full for a Friday night which was a shame but a great audience reaction.
|
|
295 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by fossil on Aug 21, 2021 12:26:45 GMT
Just found an email from the Charing Cross Theatre that had gone into my spam folder:
Pippin special event next week:
Talk Back with Mark Shenton and Stephen Schwartz!
Plus - watch Magic To Do in full!
With Pippin continuing to wow audiences this summer, we are thrilled to announce a special event next week! Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz is travelling to London to see the production, and we will be hosting a special post-show Talk Back session with Mark Shenton on Tuesday 24 August. You won't want to miss this fascinating evening - so we're giving you a special discount!
Get best available tickets for only £25* including programme and a glass of bubbly with discount code PIPPINTALK25 via our website, phone or in person!
|
|
48 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by geraldine64 on Aug 22, 2021 15:41:46 GMT
I am now going to this performance of Pippin, so won't be needing my two tickets to the talk Stephen Schwartz is doing with Alice Fearn at the Theatre Cafe, at 5.0pm on Wednesday, if anyone wants them. They are £10 each.
|
|
3,334 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Aug 25, 2021 10:11:37 GMT
Visited last night for day two of Stephen Schwartz week.
Good to see the theatre sold out for the meeting of the minds between Mark Shenton and Stephen Schwartz. Also great to see almost everyone in the audience wearing in a mask (I presume that Mr Shenton has an exemption), although I never did get offered the programme and glass of bubbly that was meant to come with the ticket.
Everyone was on fine form last night. It is quite something to have Mr Schwartz sat a couple of rows behind you enjoying the show (which he was spoke very highly about). More ad-libs than usual and Ryan Anderson and Natalie McQueen ended up rather giggly when they were performing together.
Then, the main event. The two theatre legends Mr Shenton and Mr Schwartz facing off. Who would come out on top? It was a very close run thing. Mr Shenton showed off his vast theatrical knowledge and shared lots of anecdotes. Mr Schwartz kept his observations shorter, but was able to update Mr Shenton on his recent activities. But the decider. Mr Shenton shared that both he and Mr Schwartz live within a block of each other in Manhattan, but Mr Schwartz has a lift to his apartment while Mr Shenton has to take the stairs. So Mr Schwartz just edged the win.
Seriously though, it was a very interesting discussion across Stephen Schwartz's career, with several projects in the pipeline. He sounded very pleased that Pippin is now being performed more in the UK as it didn't really take off in previous iterations. He's also checking out musicals he's involved with elsewhere in Europe. A very interesting man and it was fantastic to sit on the front row and listen to him.
There was also a hint that this production will extend beyond the current 5 September closing date, but if you want to make sure you see it, do go now!
|
|
|
|
Post by jakobo on Aug 25, 2021 20:14:37 GMT
Can't believe I missed both occasions to see Mr Schwartz. Is he attending any other events in London?
|
|
