Suessical (Youth Production)

 This was the first time I have seen the magical musical Seussical and I can say after seeing this production from Rainhill Musical Theatre Company Youth,  I will be very happy to see it again, as this a was very entertaining, upbeat show and full of fun for the whole Family, co-conceived by Monty Python’s Eric Idle, and written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. It is based on the children's stories  set in the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss, and is mostly based on the story of “Horton Hears a Who!” where Horton discovers a speck of dust, which is  home to the Whos, he places the speck on a clover and decides to look after it, but he is made fun of by the other animals in the jungle. The only ones to believe him are Horton's bird neighbours, Gertrude McFuzz, and Maysie La Bird.We then go on an adventure with the mischievous Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Maysie La Bird and a little boy with a big imagination called Jo Jo, to the Jungle of Nool, the Circus McGurkus, and Whoville the tiny planet, along the way meeting lots of other marvellous characters. 
The production team of Director Samantha Moores, Musical Director Jessica Hope, Assistant Director Claire Jones, Choreographers Samantha Moores and Amy Balfour with Producer Pip Bradshaw, guided the young enthusiastic actors expertly as they all produce good entertaining performances which were full of life and energy. The show opened with an empty stage, apart from a large red-and-white-striped hat in the centre. A boy named Jo Jo - Niamh McNamara then comes into view and notices the hat and wonders who it belongs to. He mentions the Cat in the Hat- Mikey Rowan who then appears and tells the boy he has been brought to life by his "Thinks”. The cat then creates a world of characters called the "Seussian" and begins to tell a story about Horton the Elephant -Joseph McDevitt. Horton faces many trials and tribulations as he protects the Whos from a world full of dangers, which included  such things as a kidnapping and Horton is even put on trial, for the crimes of, talking to a speck, disturbing the peace, and loitering on an egg which had been left in his care by  Maysie La Bird -Rihana Mc Ewan,  but  Gertrude McFuzz- Georgia Nicholas  loves and admires  Horton and has faith in him  but is afraid he does not notice her because of her tail, which has only one droopy feather. But in the end Horton notices Gertrude and he finally convinces, the other animals that the Whos exist and makes them promise to protect the Whos, so Horton emerges triumphant after all. Other very entertaining performances and wonderful characters included, Sour kangaroo - Bethany Clarke, Small kangaroo - Maisie Riley, Mr Mayor- Georgia Shah, Mrs Mayor -Lilly Spencer.  I would love to mention everyone in the cast, but I do not want to miss anyone out, but all the cast supported each other very well, singing nicely to backing tracts, which is no easy feat, well done Musical Director and vocal coach Jessica Hope. The cast also performed the affective choreography by Samantha Moores and Amy Balfour very well, and everyone on stage looked as if they were really enjoying themselves. However, just a constructive comment it was a little hard to hear some of the dialogue at times, I am not sure if this was due to being sat near a speaker, but just be aware that diction should be clear along with good projection even if a microphone is used, but happily this did not affect my enjoyment of this fun show. 
Stage Manager Tony Dagnall and all the backstage workers and crew took on the creative opportunities this musical provided with excellent results as it was obvious that allot of hard work had gone into getting things just right, which included a good set, props and technical input, and innovative very colourful, costumes which added to the feel and authenticity of the production.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this very enjoyable feel good musical to the stage and thank you for inviting us we had a lovely time.

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