Pippin - Charing Cross Theatre

I am here this afternoon

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.

£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.

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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....

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!

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!