Pippin opening set to mark return of musical theatre to Australia

November 20, 2020

The opening of the hit Broadway musical Pippin at Sydney’s Lyric on Tuesday is set to be the first large scale musical theatre production to open in Australia since COVID-19 led to theatres closing down in March.

Looking forward to the opening, Producer John Frost today advised “we’re so excited to bring Pippin to the stage as the first musical following the COVID shutdown.

“Everyone in this sensational cast and crew is thrilled to be back at work, bringing this exhilarating musical to life and opening up Sydney musical theatre again. Sydney is ready to celebrate and what better way than heading to the Sydney Lyric to enjoy this Tony Award winning musical which has thrilled audiences across the globe.”

Foundation Theatres and the Sydney Lyric have a detailed COVID Safety Plan to help keep everyone safe while at the venue, operating in accordance with the advice of NSW Health.

As Graeme Kearns, Chief Executive of Foundation Theatres, explains “we have detailed measures in place to assist with flow of patrons and to protect the health and hygiene of all who visit us. Our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that theatre is as safe as it can be, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Sydney Lyric.”

The Australian Premiere has been secured exclusively for Sydney by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Pippin plays exclusively at the Sydney Lyric at The Star from 24th November to 31st January.

COVIDSafe Measures
Foundation Theatres has a detailed COVID Safety Plan to help keep everyone safe while at the theatre, in accordance with the advice of NSW Health.

Key COVID safety measures for the PIPPIN at the Sydney Lyric Theatre are:

• Ensuring no one attends the performance if they or anyone in their party are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Face masks are mandatory (for ages 12 and up) at all times at the theatre.
• Ensuring every person attending registers using the QR code registration system positioned outside the theatre before entering.
• Deep cleaning, including anti-viral fogging, before the performance.
• Hand sanitisation stations located around the venue.
• Standard seating configuration will be operating in the auditorium. As patrons will be sitting alongside one another it is mandatory for people over 12 years of age to keep masks on throughout the performance.
• PIPPIN has not been sold to full capacity for any performances. Therefore if you are uncomfortable sitting directly alongside other patrons, notify the usher on the day as there is flexibility to move to vacant seats subject to capacity.
• Entry times have been staggered to encourage social distancing. Details will be emailed one week prior to your performance.

Click here for full details on the COVIDSafe guidelines.

Images: Pippin opens at Sydney’s Lyric on Tuesday (top) and the production's acrobat cast at The Star (below, credit: David Hooley).

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