Pip's Island is a children's media company based in New York that produces real-life immersive experiences for young audiences. [1] The company was founded in 2013 by siblings Rania and Rami Ajami, and Walter Krudop.[2] After its limited pop-up engagement in Chelsea in the winter of 2016, the Pip's Island experience returned to New York City in March 2019 in a custom-built, permanent location near Times Square for an open-ended run.[3]
Production
editDuring the experience, which lasts one hour, groups of up to fifty enter nine physical spaces, from a flying ship to a bakery, and help explorer Pip and his sidekicks, Finn and Pebble, to save the island from the villainous Joules Volter who has taken over the lighthouse, the island energy source. The audience moves through the tactile settings that combine live performance, puppets, animation and interactive challenges to complete.[4]
Reception
editThe show has received positive reviews in several publications including The New York Times.[5] In 2019, the show was voted as the Best Family Show in New York by the Off-Broadway Alliance.[6]
Pip's Island closed in 2020 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to restructure its operations and finances. Due to the pandemic's restrictions on in-person audience attendance it was unable to reopen and the property has since been sold.
References
edit- ^ Passy, Charles (May 1, 2019). "New Immersive Show Bills Itself as 'Sleep No More' for Kids" – via www.wsj.com.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Pip's Island Creates Immersive Theatrical Adventure". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "Pip's Island returns to NYC as a permanent attraction". Time Out New York Kids.
- ^ Graeber, Laurel (May 23, 2019). "7 Things to Do With Your Kids in N.Y.C. This Weekend" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Graeber, Laurel (January 8, 2017). "Review: Put on a Vest. Summon Magic. Beware of Moles. Save an Island" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (May 22, 2019). "What the Constitution Means to Me and Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof Among 2019 Off-Broadway Alliance Award Winners". Playbill.