PIPPIN
It may only be Broadway’s 31st longest running musical, but it’s one much loved by toe-tappers and seatwarmers alike. Sydney will soon get a chance to follow the plucky prince, his troupe of starry-eyed actors in his quest for ‘Magic to Do’ – director Benita de Wit tells us more about the Sidetrack Theatre production.
Why Pippin? I love this show because there is so much you can do with it. On the surface it is a travelling troupe telling the story of the son of Charlemagne, but as you get in a little deeper you start to see the relationships between the different members of the troupe and the lines between the real and imagined begin to blur.
What changes will we see in this version of the production? The original 1970s Broadway production was very much a product of its time and of the unique style of Director and Choreographer Bob Fosse. Instead of a 70s influence we’re contrasting the medieval setting with some strong elements of here and now. The travelling troupe is still a big part of the show, but they present a modern variety show in an Australian voice with Pippin bringing several elements of 2011 with him. It’s also a much smaller cast and band. We have 10 actors performing a show usually done by 15-20, so there’s a lot for them to do!
Where does musical theatre sit in the Sydney landscape? Musical theatre, especially mid-scale and independent work often gets left behind straight theatre. As a big city, Sydney gets to see great productions of some of the biggest Broadway show and has a thriving amateur scene, but there’s not a lot in between. Musical theatre is expensive, not a lot of new Australian work is being written and there is an absence of mid-sized venues. What we do have is a network of great performers, writers and creative teams itching to craft exciting and innovative theatrical performances.
You have a drag legend in the cast… The show features the wonderful Gaynor Tension (AKA Michael Leslie) as Pippin’s grandmother. Usually this role is played by an older woman, but it is so fabulously camp that I’ve always wanted to see it performed as a drag role. I thought it would be tough to cast, but the second Michael walked into the audition room we knew we’d found our ‘grandmother’. He brings a real depth and humanity to his drag performance that you don’t often see. Add to this a knock-out voice and superb comic timing and you have a real star performer.
What is your one favourite moment from this show? It’s very difficult to pick one moment. Every rehearsal we come up with something new and eccentric that I get excited about! The drag performance will be an absolute show-stopper and we also have an exquisite burlesque number, but I think my favourite moment would have to be the finale. Everything you think you knew about the characters turns on its head and you see the troupe’s real motivations. The show changes quickly from being light-hearted fun to having a real sense of danger. That’s the kind of thing that’s fascinating both to direct and to watch.
Dec 7-17, Sidetrack Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville, $28-34, sidetrack.com.au
