Pippin - Non-stop Fun on Stage

After many long months of empty theaters in Sydney due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is great to see that theaters have now reopened. The first theater to reopen in Sydney with a large-scale musical is The Lyric at The Star.

Pippin, produced by the Gordon Frost Organization, is the perfect choice as it is a fun filled musical that combines singing, dancing, circus routines, acrobatics, and magic.

I thought that Pippin was a brand new musical, but in fact it first opened in 1972 on Broadway in America in and it was staged in Australia in 1974 with Johnny Farnham and Colleen Hewett as the stars.

Pippin is a play within a play. It is set in a touring circus group of acrobatics who perform in a big top tent. The story line is about a Medieval King and his family. 

Pippin showcases two amazing actors who excel with their performances on stage. The other actors and performers were all really good, with only one disappointment amongst them.

The first outstanding actor Ainsley Melham who portrays Pippin brilliantly. His singing and dancing is superb. He shows a sense of warmth and caring in the portrayal of his character, so the audience builds an emotion bond with him as the story line progresses. He returns home to the Kings castle after being away completing his university education. This young Prince endeavors to discover the meaning of life for himself.  He dabbles in being a soldier, lover, farmer in order to find his place in life. 

The second outstanding actor is TV personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley who plays Berthe, Pippins saucy grandmother. This 67 year old astounds the audience with her vibrancy as she sings, dances, and performs upside down and contorts on the suspended circus trapeze high above the stage. The applause from the audience after each of her appearances on stage is thunderous.

The other excellent actors include Simon Burke as the ruthless Medieval King Charlemagne, Leslie Bell as Fastrada his wife, Euan Doidge as the Kings other son Lewis and Lucy Maunder as the beautiful widow Catherine, Pippns love interest. The young boy Theo is alternates between Ryan Yates, George Halahan-Cantwell, Andrew Alexander and William Wheeler.

The disappointing cast member in Pippin is Gabrielle McClinton, brought over from America to play the Circus Ringmaster. Her energetic dance movements are brilliant, but unfortunately her singing is a big disappointment, as it is hard to hear clearly the words being sung. This is especially so in her opening number, but unfortunately continues into other songs she sings during the show. I am not sure if this is because she is concentrating more on her dancing than singing, or her words run into each other, or because of her accent, or the volume was is soft. This is unfortunate as she has the pivotal role of linking all the segments of the show together.

The set of Pippin is a simple but effective. The large circus big top ten wall provides the appropriate backdrop for all the action on stage. The costumes are colorfully luscious and suit the circus performers and Medieval royal family. The music is 70's style pop songs, easy to listen to, but with no standout song that will be remembered many year down the track.

The cast of Pippin features both circus performers and experienced musical theatre actors. These talented people put the fun factor back in theatre. The result is a vibrant fun filled show with the delight of the unexpected happening at any time. 

Both critics and audience members have been rapt by Pippin with all its singing, dancing, acrobatics and magic tricks.

The opening song of Pippin sings out “We have magic to do, just for you,” and this is what the show does pull off. Pippin is sensual, captivating, and visually splendid. Its Technicolor brilliance is a delight for the eyes. It is an excellent show to re-enter the theatres again for a fun filled night out.

PIPPIN
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
Season: To 31 January 2021
Performance Times: Tues 7pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Website: http://www.pippinthemusical.com.au