BWW Stage Mag Pippin - The Pump House Theatre, Watford Stage Mag

Pippin

 
at The Pump House Theatre, Watford
 
 
Book by
Roger O. Hirson
 
Music & Lyrics by
Stephen Schwartz
 
Starring
The Pump House CYT
 
 
 

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With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man’s journey to be extraordinary.

Pump House CYT first performed Pippin in 1986 and we are pleased to have some of those involved in that production, part of our 2023 team. 

Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world.

This is a huge and complex show with extensive effects, sets, costumes, props, choreography, live music, make up and much more.  There has been a huge team involved in this production and they are all volunteers.  I can not thank them all enough for their talented and tireless efforts to put on this show, they are all stars.

Lee Farman - Director

 

Thanks to...

www.stylographics.co.uk

Rickmansworth Players Costume Department

John Bullied (magic advice)

Recollections of Pump House CYT's 1986 production of Pippin

Pump House CYT first performed Pippin 37 years ago, in 1986.  Directed by Jeanette Behn, this production made a strong impression on those involved.  We would like to highlight three of the special connections between the 1986 production and todays.

Martin Smith (1986 Musical director, 2023 playing trombone in the band)

Having played in many show bands at the Pump House under the kind guidance of Julian Barrett, it was Pippin that gave me the opportunity to move to the role of Musical Director. Working with Jeanette Behn and Sherry Rawlinson was a joy and despite the fact I was young enough to be in the youth theatre, I realised I enjoyed being in charge! The cast were all very talented and I relished every minute of the rehearsal process. We cast identical twins as Pippin and Lewis which worked very well and the innovative design of using blocks as the set (thanks to David Fargus) created a very contemporary feel to the show which set it apart from the classic style of previous CYT productions. That single opportunity lead to decades of musical direction for me including 25 years at the Watford Palace. I worked with many of the original cast over the years and count many as friends to this day. To say that show opened a door for me doesn’t speak enough of the lifelong joy of music making in the theatre and hours and hours of happiness that it has given. To be part of the latest generation and their version of this amazing show rounds off that journey for me and I hope everyone of them finds the ‘magic’ that gives them a lifetime of happiness. 

P.S. In '86 we got the original handwritten score by Stephen Schwartz to work with and no individual band parts!  So lots of creativity was used.

Sketch of the 1986 band (Bill Pamplin on the left, Martin in the middle)

 

Lee Farman - (Player in 1986 cast, Director in 2023)

This was my first musical after I joined Pump House CYT and I fell in love with it due to its infectious music and a joy to perform as an ensemble show.  I even had the chance to go to a top magicians house to select and be taught the magic tricks to be used on stage (as well as some dodgy juggling).

I have seen many versions of the show over the years including the original cast of the 2013 Broadway revival in New York.

This is such a fun and flexible show and I hope the next generation fall in love with it as well.

 

Izzy Woollcot - (her Dad Stuart in the 1986 cast, his daughter Leading Player 2023)

It’s been really amazing being able to share this incredible experience with my dad! I have so many memories from when I was younger, sitting in the car, singing along to magic to do, whilst listening to my dad talk about all of his memories from the 1986 show! Now i’m the one on stage it’s going to be a really special moment performing the show and seeing him watch.

Song List

ACT 1

Magic to Do – Leading Player and Ensemble
Corner of the Sky – Pippin
Welcome Home – Charlemagne, Pippin
War Is a Science – Charlemagne, Pippin, and Soldiers
Glory – Leading Player and Ensemble
Simple Joys – Leading Player
No Time at All – Berthe and Ensemble
With You – Pippin
Spread a Little Sunshine – Fastrada and Ensemble
Morning Glow – Pippin and Ensemble

ACT 2

On the Right Track – Leading Player and Pippin
And There He Was – Catherine
Kind of Woman – Catherine and Ensemble
Extraordinary – Pippin
Prayer for a Duck – Pippin, Theo, and Catherine
Love Song – Pippin and Catherine
I Guess I’ll Miss the Man – Catherine
Finale -- Leading Player, Fastrada, Pippin, and Ensemble
Magic Shows and Miracles – Pippin
Corner of the Sky (Reprise) – Theo

Cast

Varvara Baranova
Lewis/Player
Evie Blake
Lewis/Player
Holly Brownsell
Player
Leo Chiappi
Pippin/Player
Eoin Cooper
Charles/Player
Amelia Davidson
Catherine/Player
Claudia Devine
Theo
Isabella Ghai
Fastrada/Player
Daisy Greenan
Player
Lewis Jackson
Pippin/Player
Ivy Kinsella
Player
Daisy Page
Berthe/Player
Lucy Pettifer
Catherine/Player
Hope Phillips-Rhodes
Player
Gracie Pugh
Leading Player/Player
Rebecca Rae
Player
Mary Robertson
Fastrada/Player
Jack Stevens
Theo
Sam Vail
Berthe/Player
Leo Varo-Neagu
Charles/Player
Izzy Woolcott
Leading Player/Player

Creative Team

Lee Farman

Director/Musical Director

Niamh Brewer

Choreographer

Sarah Chiappi

Choreographer

Evie Lilley

Production Assistant

Phil McCusker

Lighting Design

Daisy Aldridge

Lighting Operation

Jason Brameld

Sound Design & Operation/Lead of CYT Technical Youth

Martin Wheeler

Props & Front of House Rota

Fran Swallow

Lead Scenic Artist

Kate Kinsella

Set Painting

Katie Barrett

Set Painting & Costume Team

Vicki Pettifer

Set Painting

Mark & Katherine Davidson

Set Painting

Natasha, Gabriel, Kevin & Lottie Pugh

Set Painting

Chris Swallow

Head of Stage/Lead of CYT Technical Youth

James Cooper

Stage Manager/CYT Technical Youth

Daniel Shah

CYT Technical Youth

Sam Harrod

CYT Technical Youth

Jack Loison

CYT Technical Youth

Esther Hagger-Holt

CYT Technical Youth

Belle Parker

CYT Technical Youth

Joe Pilny

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Chris Peston

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Ben Mulcahy

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Bryn Lewellyn

Support for CYT Technical Youth/Guitar 2

Cat Humphries

Programme & Photography

Rosie Stoll

Publicity

John & Sue Sadie

Box Office

Catherine Farman

Box Office

Jono Pamplin

Percussion

Raj Bumia

Bass

Guitar 1

Simone Chiappi

Martin Smith

Trombone

John Pettifer

Trumpet

Bridie Pirie

Violin

Will Lewis

Reed 1

Aimee

Keyboard 2

Andrea Rae

Keyboard 2

Peter Dodsworth

Keyboard 1

Errol Shui

Keyboard 1

Julie Elvin

Costume Team

Helen Pajak

Costume Team

Nicky Bedford

Costume Team

Nidhi Saria

Costume Team

Julie Ghai

Costume Team

Jess Phillips

Costume Team

Meet the Company

Varvara Baranova

Lewis/Player
Varvara Baranova - Lewis/Player I play Pippin’s self absorbed, half brother Lewis! I’m 15 years old and this is the first production I’ve been in. I heard about Pump House from a good friend who invited me to watch her in Matilda last year. I thought the show was fantastic and I knew I wanted to be a part of it straight away. Working on Pippin was an absolute blast, from making friends, to learning how magic tricks work, you’re in for an absolute treat!

Evie Blake

Lewis/Player
Evie Blake - Lewis/Player

Holly Brownsell

Player
Holly Brownsell - Player This is first ever performance with The Pump House and my first musical show I have been in. My part in the show is Player. I joined this year and so far it’s been amazing! Everyone is so lovely and supportive. The work put into Pippin, the whole team, is incredible. I’m so grateful for getting to have this experience with the Pump House. I hope you enjoy!

Leo Chiappi

Pippin/Player
Leo Chiappi - Pippin/Player

Eoin Cooper

Charles/Player
Eoin Cooper - Charles/Player This is my first ever production with the Pump House. Working on Pippin has been nothing short of magical (pun intended). Everyone here has been friendly and helpful and I’ve had just as much fun offstage and in rehearsals as I have onstage. Sit back, relax and prepare for enthralment!

Amelia Davidson

Catherine/Player
Amelia Davidson - Catherine/Player I have been a member of the pump house for seven years now and have had so much fun in all my time here. Pippin is a fun and thrilling show, hope you enjoy!

Claudia Devine

Theo
Claudia Devine - Theo

Isabella Ghai

Fastrada/Player
Isabella Ghai - Fastrada/Player Being at the pump house for the last 9 years has been such an amazing experience me. The pump house has provided me with so much guidance and allowed me to grow my confidence and also make friends for life. I have made a forever family since i’ve joined here and i know that i will never forget the opportunities i have been given.

Daisy Greenan

Player
Daisy Greenan - Player

Lewis Jackson

Pippin/Player
Lewis Jackson - Pippin/Player Lewis has performed in several Pump House shows including Legally Blonde, Spamalot and The Adams Family.

Ivy Kinsella

Player
Ivy Kinsella - Player This is my first production with young adults I played miss honey in the youths production of Matilda and this one has been a blast to make also. So many memories have been made from this experience and I can’t wait to make more. This show would not be the same without the directors choreographers and crew so a huge thank you to them but for now sit back relax because we’ve got magic to do !!!

Daisy Page

Berthe/Player
Daisy Page - Berthe/Player fire, ferocity, and fantasy to study

Lucy Pettifer

Catherine/Player
Lucy Pettifer - Catherine/Player I play Catherine. I am in my sixth year at the Pumphouse CYT and I have loved every minute of it! This is my first principal role in a young adult performance and I cant wait until we open on friday night. Enjoy the show!

Hope Phillips-Rhodes

Player
Hope Phillips-Rhodes - Player

Gracie Pugh

Leading Player/Player
Gracie Pugh - Leading Player/Player I have been a member of the pump house since i was 11, being with them has been amazing and each show is so different and more fun than the last. Pippin has been an incredible experience as it’s not like your typical show and there’s many deeper and darker layers which you’ll discover throughout the production. Some of my other credits include: Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Scaramouche in We Will Rock You and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda.

Rebecca Rae

Player
Rebecca Rae - Player This is my first performance with the Pump House Young Adults and have found it an awesome experience. My favourite part of the show is Extraordinary - it's fun playing a chicken! I have performed in musical theatre since the age of 8 including playing Pugsley in The Addams Family and Narrator in Joseph. Thank you to all the wonderful people involved in making this such a great show.

Mary Robertson

Fastrada/Player
Mary Robertson - Fastrada/Player I play Fastrada. I’ve been a part of pump house for about five years now. I love it here and Pippin has been one of my favourite shows, the costumes, lights, tricks and songs are all brilliant and I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Jack Stevens

Theo
Jack Stevens - Theo

Sam Vail

Berthe/Player
Sam Vail - Berthe/Player

Leo Varo-Neagu

Charles/Player
Leo Varo-Neagu - Charles/Player I’m playing Charles in Pippin. I’ve really enjoyed working with new people this year and my friends from years ago who I knew in earlier productions with pumphouse. I hope you all enjoy the show!

Izzy Woolcott

Leading Player/Player
Izzy Woolcott - Leading Player/Player This is my 9th year with the pump house which is crazy! The pump house has been such a huge part of my childhood and has made me into the person I am today and I’m so grateful for it. I am very excited to be doing ‘Pippin’ as my dad was part of of the original 1986 cast, so it’s a really cool full circle moment. I hope you enjoy the show!

Lee Farman

Director/Musical Director
Lee Farman - Director/Musical Director

Niamh Brewer

Choreographer
Niamh Brewer - Choreographer

Sarah Chiappi

Choreographer
Sarah Chiappi - Choreographer

Evie Lilley

Production Assistant
Evie Lilley - Production Assistant

Phil McCusker

Lighting Design

Daisy Aldridge

Lighting Operation

Jason Brameld

Sound Design & Operation/Lead of CYT Technical Youth

Martin Wheeler

Props & Front of House Rota

Fran Swallow

Lead Scenic Artist

Kate Kinsella

Set Painting

Katie Barrett

Set Painting & Costume Team

Vicki Pettifer

Set Painting

Mark & Katherine Davidson

Set Painting

Natasha, Gabriel, Kevin & Lottie Pugh

Set Painting

Chris Swallow

Head of Stage/Lead of CYT Technical Youth

James Cooper

Stage Manager/CYT Technical Youth

Daniel Shah

CYT Technical Youth

Sam Harrod

CYT Technical Youth

Jack Loison

CYT Technical Youth

Esther Hagger-Holt

CYT Technical Youth

Belle Parker

CYT Technical Youth

Joe Pilny

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Chris Peston

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Ben Mulcahy

Support for CYT Technical Youth

Bryn Lewellyn

Support for CYT Technical Youth/Guitar 2

Cat Humphries

Programme & Photography
Cat Humphries - Programme & Photography I've been doing theatre photography with Rickmansworth Players and The Pump House since 2014. The youth shows are always great fun to capture and it's so rewarding seeing the cast members grow up in different productions.

Rosie Stoll

Publicity

John & Sue Sadie

Box Office

Catherine Farman

Box Office

Jono Pamplin

Percussion

Raj Bumia

Bass

Guitar 1

Simone Chiappi

Martin Smith

Trombone

John Pettifer

Trumpet

Bridie Pirie

Violin

Will Lewis

Reed 1

Aimee

Keyboard 2

Andrea Rae

Keyboard 2

Peter Dodsworth

Keyboard 1

Errol Shui

Keyboard 1

Julie Elvin

Costume Team

Helen Pajak

Costume Team

Nicky Bedford

Costume Team

Nidhi Saria

Costume Team

Julie Ghai

Costume Team

Jess Phillips

Costume Team

Rehearsal photos

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Original Broadway Cast of PIPPIN To Reunite For 50th Anniversary Concert At 54 Below

Pippin: The 50th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert will stream live on February 7th at 7:00pm ET. In addition to the live- streamed option, there will also be four in-person performances on February 6th and 7th at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. For reservations and information, visit 54below.com/Pippin.

We've got magic to do when 54 Below presents Pippin: The 50th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert. Legendary original 1972 Broadway cast members reunite to share stories and songs from the landmark Tony Award-winning musical, with its iconic score by Stephen Schwartz. You'll hear "Corner of the Sky," "Magic to Do," "I Guess I'll Miss the Man," "Extraordinary," "No Time At All," and more. Produced and directed by original cast member Walter Willison, with musical direction by Michael Lavine. Join us, for this once-in-a-lifetime event. It's time to start livin'!

Starring Tony Award winner John Rubinstein (Children of a Lesser God, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Candy Brown (Chicago, Grind), Cheryl Clark (Chicago, A Chorus Line), Gene Foote (Sweet Charity, Chicago), Joy Franz (Pippin, Into the Woods, Les Liaisons Dangereuses), Will D. McMillan (Pippin), Jennifer Nairn-Smith (Follies, All That Jazz), Pamela Sousa (Chicago, "Fosse/ Verdon"),Tony Award nominee Walter Willison (Two by Two, Grand Hotel),Tony Award nominee Leland Palmer (All That Jazz, Valentino), with Aaron Lee Battle (Bistro Award winner, Ain't Misbehavin' international tour).

Pippin: The 50th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on February 6 & 7 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm and streams live February 7 at 7:00pm ET. Livestream tickets are $25 ($28.50 with fees). Cover charges for the Feb 6 performance at 7:00pm are $65-$75 ($73-$84 with fees), with premium seats for $110 ($122.50 with fees).

Cover charges for the Feb 6 performance at 9:30pm are $45-$55 ($51-$62 with fees), with premium seats for $85 ($95 with fees). Cover charges for the Feb 7 performance at 7:00pm are $75-$85 ($84-$95 with fees), with premium seats for $125 ($139 with fees). Cover charges for the Feb 7 performance at 9:30pm are $65-$75 ($73-$84 with fees), with premium seats for $110 ($122.50 with fees). There is a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at 54below.com/Pippin.

Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00pm for the 7:00pm performance and after 7:00pm for the 9:30pm performance are only available by calling (646) 476-3551. All online and phone ticket purchases are subject to fees of 10% of ticket price, plus $1.50 facility fee.

54 Below is committed to the health of its performers, staff, and guests and has created a Safety Plan to ensure safe conditions along with optimum performing conditions. The new policies require that performers, production, kitchen, and dining room staff, as well as all audience members show proof of vaccination to enter the premises. Additional information on our safety protocols can be found here. 54 Below has installed improved air circulation and filtering systems as well as added plexiglass barriers between some tables. Based on CDC and New York State guidelines at the time of performance, safety protocols and seating capacity may change, and policies may be adjusted as is appropriate.

54 Below was founded as a place for the Broadway community to celebrate Broadway performers, both established and new, who sing not only the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook, but also new material intended for Broadway and off-Broadway stages. The club features fine dining and superb scenic, lighting, and sound designs entirely imagined by Broadway designers. For performers, writers, musicians, and more, 54 Below gives opportunities to advance their craft, expand their repertoires, and develop their voices in a way that is more personal, making them stronger as artists. It gives Broadway fans an opportunity to see their favorite artists in a different way, deepening their relationship and understanding of their talent.

A recipient of the 2022 TONY AWARDS Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. It is also a place for innovation in musical songwriting and performance. Collaborations born at 54 Below give rise to and help develop new theatrical projects and new musicals. In addition, its popular streaming video activities and audio recordings support these activities, helping to build a new Broadway audience worldwide, both in age and geography.

54 Below is one of the most in-demand performance venues in the city, presenting over 700 shows each year. Unique in its mission, it has become an indispensable member of the Broadway ecosystem, providing a place for seasoned and emerging artists to hone their craft, try out new work, grow their fanbases, and gather as a community. The management team includes Proprietors and nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, Creative and Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and restaurant General Manager Mandisa Boxill.

Located at 254 West 54th Street, the club presents live shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Tickets and information at 54below.com.

Thanks to...

www.stylographics.co.uk

Rickmansworth Players Costume Department

John Bullied (magic advice)

Past Pump House CYT shows

Honorary Life Members of the Pump House CYT

Karen Arnott, Adrian Barrett, Katie Barrett, Jeanette Behn, Sue Billington, Jason Brameld, Moya Brewer, Julie Elvin, David Fargus, Catherine Farman, Lee Farman, Elisabeth Gunter, Ursula Hodgkinson, Nizar Kanji, Michael Horniman, Sue Mascall, Sue McCall, Karen Rhodes, Jon Sadie, Sue Sadie, Robin Scarborough, Martin Smith, Chris Swallow, Martin Wheeler, Ian Woolcott

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