Pippin

It may have "holes", but that doesn't stop the show from being great fun. Yes, it is an oddity, especially if you go to see others much larger venue, but I really like this musical. The music and dancing really are superb. There is an element of tongue in cheek, but this only adds to the quirky nature. The lighting is very clever and uses the small space cleverly. All-in-all a real cracker of a show. It finishes soon and I will be returning for the fourth time next week.

This is a fantastic production. It's entertaining throughout, and the ending manages to be surprising, moving and thought provoking. Perhaps it has improved since the opening - I cannot imagine how anyone would consider this anything other than a triumph!

Absolutely brilliant (but obviously not what the Stephen Sondheim brigade were expecting).

This is an exciting, imaginative show and I loved it! It's no clone of itself - it's a big baby crying out for a bigger crib - transfer, transfer!

I just gave this 5 stars - I seem to have been docked 2!!!

Second viewing last night (Mon. 5th) and as expected it’s produced and directed to near perfection, whizzing by in front of a highly appreciative full house showing Broadway how to do it best – here on the humble South Bank. Strange how shows speed up when you know what’s coming, a bit like the return car journey? A point worth remembering for theatregoers that never see a show twice: I’d highly recommend it since so much content is packed into modern entertainment it can’t be appreciated in one hit, and this machine-code (aka digital) rendition of 'Pippin' is certainly that. A return to 'Ghost' is in order to confirm if 'Pippin', on a relatively shoestring budget, is actually better. A touch of panto’ is courtesy of Louise Gold’s [granny Berthe] popular sing-a-long scene. Not surprisingly there’s backing from the USA for what is viewed by many as Stephen Schwartz's best ever score, lush song after song. Kizz

Having been thrilled by MCF production of La Cage, I was excited about going again. Having expected a musical comedy style I was thrown by the overpowering computer game environment of auditorium, characters and style. Pippin portrayed as a computer game junkie. I left at the interval.

Great production - amazing energy, crazy concept and electric staging all made for a wonderful piece of theatre.........you just have to go with it!! Brilliant

Brilliant! You must go and see this!

Original and imaginative, this musical/play has a clever concept and leaves you thinking. The music, cast and special effects were awesome, and I cried with laughter at Grandma's debut! It really is worth going to see!

I wish I'd left in the interval too as the second half was even worse than the first. The first disaster I've seen at the Menier... sigh

Sometimes it is necessary to take the foot off the accelerator. For me it had the feeling
of a production that was trying too hard. I loved the subtle stage setting before the start
but from then on it was overload, visually and musically. It is a small space and didn't need such heavy sound - the drumming was insistent and the singing was too loud. The special effects although over stressed were undoubtedly clever and there was great enthusiasm from the cast but I didn't return after the break.

Saw this tonight and thought it was terrific! Obviously still in preview but for such a tricky, high concept show it is very well done. Loved walking passed the bedroom and I thought pippin himself was wonderful. Grace (below) couldn't agree more. I felt like I wanted to see a bit more of her in the second half. Fantastic! Go and see this if you want to see something new and fresh.

Dire. Only thing worth watching was Lewis's dancing. Almost as bad as Gone with the Wind. Surprised at you, Menier Chocolate Factory!

we have seen sweet charity and the invisible man at the Menier and loved every part of the experience.
unfortunately this is not the hat trick.
if you like fosse and computer games perhaps but we left in the interval
the projector were too loud ,the singing overamplified and the gaming concept staging embarrassing .

I dare you to take your eyes off Holly James.. Bringing fosse back to life in the Manson trio and scantily clad during a high energy dance piece. Spectacular!

Filing through the newly plaster-boarded tunnel, awash with wet emulsion*, into the auditorium and there's a feeling of something special about to begin. This trendy rendition of 'Pippin' is compered throughout by a scary Brand-a-like. 'Being no fan of most theatrical attempts at video screens and projection, they get it right, mostly; in shades of grey, silver and muted colours. This is not off-town but Broadway, cleverly creating a sense of Big Show in a chocolate box theatre, hopefully heading for over the river. Miss Bawden, recently staring in 'Brollies & Bicycles' is centre stage post intermission that's less contemporary dance, more trad. stage. The World is set to see more of Miss Bawden, hopefully not always pretending to get her kit off, again uncomfortably on a mezzanine: no vertigo problems? The nurds online video-chat sequences are somewhat naf, cut or work on that; it can still be 'Pippin' in cyberspace. Otherwise a must go show, soon to be slickered to perfection, proving that all the best creative endeavours come about in times of austerity and uncertainty. Tonight was first preview, new trousers* please. Kiss - Stevie

Timothy Bird is the set and projection designer. MITCH SEBASTIAN is the director/choreographer. Jean-Marc Puissant designs the costumes.