Review: PIPPIN 50th Anniversary concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Pippin is back with a bang! It has been 50 years since Pippin opened in the West End and to celebrate this golden anniversary, we have been treated to a very special concert production…although heartbreakingly for two nights only.
Conceived and composed by Stephen Schwartz, Pippin takes inspiration from history but then very quickly abandons any sense of accuracy. Our protagonist is based on the 8th Century Frankish prince who was the eldest son of Charlemagne. Described in the history books as Pippin the Hunchback, we are almost instantly told to set aside any preconceived ideas and instead we follow a young prince searching for fulfilment and meaning in his life.
The cast of Pippin are truly outstanding, and we were blown away by the amount of talent on stage. Schwartz’s music gives each character an opportunity to shine…and shine they do! It is truly a privilege to watch Alex Newell perform from the moment they open the show with ‘Magic to Do’ to the closing ‘Finale’. The Leading Player holds the show together, both for the players within the show and the audience, and Newell’s performance is magnetic and they deliver sensational powerhouse vocals. Cedric Neal demonstrates his comedic timing and vocal dexterity, particularly during ‘War is a Science’. Jac Yarrow captures the boyish charisma and naivety of Pippin; his voice is a perfect match for Schwartz’s modern and youthful sound, switching from high notes in ‘Extraordinary’ to romance during his duet with Catherine, played by Lucie Jones. It is fabulous to see Lucie Jones in a more comedic role and of course, she sounds fantastic. Unfortunately, her character and Zizi Strallen’s Fastrada are pretty stereotypical female characters using their womanly wiles to get their way. However, we are certainly not complaining about their performances. Strallen brings a wonderfully wicked and conniving energy to Fastrada along with some spectacular dance moves. Bob Fosse directed and choreographed the original Broadway production and the dancing, choreographed by Joanna Goodwin, beautifully pays homage to his style while adding a modern twist.
Told through the guise of a pantomime troupe led by the Leading Player in a narrator type role, Pippin is not afraid to break the fourth wall. It is this aspect that makes the show so endearing. There is audience participation which includes a brilliantly fun sing-along, led by Patricia Hodge as Berthe. Hodge originated the role of Catherine in the West End production, and it was wonderful to see her receive a standing ovation for her dazzling performance of ‘No Time at All’. In this concert, the gorgeous London Musical Theatre Orchestra, directed by Chris Ma, are on stage bolstering the rapport and pace during the cast interactions. They are also joined by the ArtsEd Choir who help to fill the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with a spectacular chorus of voices and create an electric atmosphere.
Like so many of these limited run concerts, Pippin did have a few microphone issues but compared to some other concert productions, these were few and far between. Also, without the full book by Roger O. Hirson, there are some moments, especially in the first act, when the plot is a little confusing but with the help of the Leading Player, we soon caught up. Despite this, we certainly still got the laughs and Pippin is an incredibly funny and witty show. Pippin is one of those shows that should not be dissected too closely and if you take its charming silliness at face value, it is sure to put a smile on your face.
The Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert was a truly magical night at the theatre, and we certainly hope this isn’t the last we see of this sensationally fun show.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Luck
Pippin also plays at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this evening (30 April), with tickets available here.