Moana (Jr)

Moana Jr is just sixty minutes long so Joshua Mason, Creative Director, decided to precede the show with a tribute to Stephen Sondheim by singing some of his songs. There were ensemble and solo items which were all splendidly delivered by the senior members of the group. 

Disney’s Moana JR. is a musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film. Moana lives on the island of Motunui and is the daughter of the village chief. When the island’s crops fail, and against her father’s wishes but prompted by her Gramma Tala, she responds to the call of the ocean in order to return the long-lost heart of the goddess Te Fiti. Along the way, she meets Maui, a fallen demigod with an ego problem, and encourages him to join her in her quest. They embark on an epic journey and work through many tough situations, from greedy monsters, a vengeful fire demon and they learn many lessons about teamwork, friendship, and chasing your dreams.

I have never seen the film but did catch a glimpse of it last week and couldn’t help wondering how on earth Inspirations was going to achieve and replicate this on such a small stage at the Playhouse. But, the clue is in their name, ‘Inspirations’. With tremendous imagination on behalf of the production team and also from the audience, the sea became the children kneeling on the floor with arms moving and swaying (some standing when the sea became rough), and no problem - we were at sea! The boat’s sail was suddenly erected from behind a raft-like raised dais at the back of the stage. The fire demon wore a long black hooded cloak with flames sewn on around the bottom. The crab, Tamatoa, was two girls each holding a long stick with a giant claw on the end, again, great imagination. However, this only goes so far, you need good singers and dancers to bring the whole show to fruition and this we most certainly had. Madeleine Donovan excelled as Moana. She played the part with confident ease and was so delightfully endearing, coping well with the strengths and calmness of the character and beautifully singing the very tricky songs. Leighton Hendon’s acting skills together with his powerful singing voice came together to give an excellent portrayal as Chief Tui. His wife, Sina, was impressively played by Star Keen and Zara Warden was so graceful yet so purposeful as Gramma Tala. Eddie Waller brought the stage alive with his fantastic characterization of Maui. He had a superb balance of cockiness and humour and his rendition of the ‘rap’ section of ‘You’re Welcome’ was just terrific - what an exceptional talent he is. Good performances came from Antony Wood as Hei Hei and Daniel Hunt as Pug. Ruby Randle and Eve Hunt were superb as the crab, Tamatoa and Evie Davis-Pullinger were magnificently attired and sang gloriously, as Te Fiti. I feel I must mention all of the Ancestor Ensemble as they played such a pivotal role in the whole show singing and moving in excellently choreographed dancing, in true Polynesian-style when appropriate, their way through the many routines. They were all super-duper, so eager and so full of energy and they were, Dylan Ciceron, Leah Ringrose-Wickes, Bella Hendon, Daisy Holmes-Branaghan, Aurora Asher, Maddison Ringrose-Wickes, Lotie-Jo Kitchen, Mia Ringrose-Wickes, Delilah Burns, Alienor Frisquet-Hue, Maddison Oldfield and Wilf Burns. Costumes were very much in keeping with the setting and the lighting plot gave us some spectacular effects. I always enjoy watching Youth Productions as they are always full of such enthusiastic involvement and they bring such hope for the future of musical theatre. This show proved just that, so congratulations to Joshua Mason, the Creative Director, Matthew Szadura, Musical Director, Emily Skill, Choreographer, to the top-notch cast, and to everyone involved, and once again, thank you Joshua and your team for the most welcoming hospitality.

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