Emily Friberg and Helena Calder in Pippin [Inigo Woodham-Smith]

PIPPIN
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
3 stars

Stephen Schwartz’s Tony Award-winning musical Pippin initially feels an odd choice for a Christmas show – with its depictions of war, patricide and a peasants’ revolt – but an enthusiastic and dedicated cast largely pulls it off.

A troupe of travelling performers, led by Leading Player (a compelling Emily Friberg), sets the stage to tell the tale of a young prince’s ambition.

Pippin (Lewis Edgar), first-born son of Charlemagne (Oliver Wood), the Holy Roman Emperor who ruled with an iron fist from the late 8th to early 9th century, is searching for his place in the world. He tries fighting in his father’s holy wars, a stint on the throne and later works on the farm of a young widow, Catherine (an assured Mia Quimpo), and her young son Theo.

While Schwartz supplies a rollicking score, Roger O Hirson’s book feels surprisingly inert. Still, Amanda Noar offers spirited direction and choreography, and Clare Brice leads a joyful singalong to No Time at All. Hats off to MD Harry Style, and the concealed band are superb.

Pippin proves a tremendous showcase for these talented actor-singers, several making their professional stage debuts. It’s a musical that exhorts us to appreciate what we have and to find pleasure in the ordinary.

A classic Christmassy message after all.

Until January 11
upstairsatthegatehouse.com