1st Night Photos: Hodge Revisits Pippin at MenierDate: 8 December 2011 Mitch Sebastian's Menier Chocolate Factory revival of Stephen Schwartz and Roger O Hirson's Pippin opened last night (7 December, previews from 22 November 2011) where it runs until 25 February 2012. Patricia Hodge, who played Catherine in the original 1973 West End production (played at the Menier by Carly Bawden), joined the cast to celebrate their opening night. Other guests included Frances Ruffelle's daughter, singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle. With design and projection by Olivier Award-winning Sunday in the Park with George creative Timothy Bird, the production stars Harry Hepple in the title role alongside Ian Kelsey, Matt Rawle, Bawden and Ruffelle. The role of Berthe, currently played by Louise Gold will be portrayed by a rotation of actresses, with Caroline Quentin taking over from 10 January 2012. Billed as a "colourful, imaginative and darkly humorous coming-of-age story", the early Schwartz musical has a 70's pop score and was originally staged by Bob Fosse. Fosse's choreography is recreated in the musical by Chet Walker. TO SCROLL THROUGH ALL OF PIPPIN's 1st NIGHT PHOTOS, JUST CLICK ON THE "NEXT >" LINKS BELOW THE FOLLOWING FRAME. PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM. - by Andrew Girvan Related Content

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