Seussical

This rather complicated story from the pen of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was a somewhat unusual and challenging choice for L.O.S. 's main autumn show.    However, because they can boast a real depth of talented players, many of them young or very young, together with a few highly experienced ones, the standard achieved vindicated the choice of show. Moreover, L.O.S. have a supreme production team once again in charge; John Harries Rees as Director, Colin Copestake as Musical Director and Louise E Wilson as choreographer, ably assisted by Karen Ward.

A stage set of four metal platforms, one high up and across stage at the back, a large central square one dominant up centre, with two smaller rectangular ones downstage left and right, carried the action throughout. With his usual skilful staging and clever use of lighting from the splendid Richard Pike and his team alongside the highly able Stuart Vaughan and his team on sound, John created the many Seussian worlds without the need for constant set changes and thus the show ran seamlessly from one scene to the next.

A huge plus for this show were the fabulous costumes designed and created by the amazing Michele Jordan. The costumes were so artfully designed for all the various characters. Horton the Elephant had large flapping grey ears and a grey outfit, for example; The Cat in the Hat had a magnificent red / white striped tall hat;  The marvellous feathers on the Bird Girls, Gertrude McFuzz and Maysie La Bird created stunning effects. Michele was ably assisted by Diane Pratt and Sarah B. Julie Rawson was on Wardrobe, with make up by Michelle with Heather Rigg.    Hair wonderfully styled too - was by Miss P Percookie and Miss A.Annee. Props were by Tracey Gillardand - the props were really well made. I loved the egg and the hatchling. All these painstaking ladies made a major contribution to the wonderful look of the characters on stage. From very many grateful comments I heard from company (and audience) after the show, these opinions were shared by all.

I will not outline the plot in this review, suffice to say that the programme's synopsis in fine (though clear) print was the most detailed I have seen.

There were many outstanding performers, none better than the totally charismatic, energetic and magnificent Matt Howes as The Cat In the Hat. I awarded him top marks in every category.        

Zoë Burton, at only fourteen, shone as Jojo. She clearly has talent and I will watch out for her in years to come.

Tom Paine beautifully captured the warm hearted Horton The Elephant and really was the character. Through all his troubles and trials we in the audience rooted for him. Clearly he is an accomplished actor / singer.

I loved the performance of Jo Cullen as the "one feathered tail" Gertrude McFuzz.   Her empathy with Horton when the jungle creatures turned on him, and her efforts to be noticed by him - Notice me Horton - were acted and sung with emotional power.

Helen Newhall at only sixteen showed maturity way beyond her tender years as Maysie La Bird and sang nicely too. Her scenes with the charismatic Bird Girls (Sammy Howlett, Philippa Kennedy and Philippa Stone)  - gorgeously clad in orange, green and white feathers - in "Amayzing Mayzie" and with The Cat in "How Lucky You Are (reprise)", graced the stage with some wonderful dancing.

Millie Jane Franks, puppet handed, was an excellent Sour Kangaroo. Her "Biggest Blame Fool" taunting poor Horton really caught the eye.

Jojo's parents Mr and Mrs Mayor, played by Barry Stevens and Jo Pandolfi respectively, were splendid and their song "How to raise a Child" skilfully enacted and well sung.

Paul Hyde gave us a formidable General Genghis Khan Schmitz, together with his  orderly "soldiers" in the military.

James Gaffney, Louis Hook, Ben Leed, Daniel Pitcher were the wicked and "monkeying around" Wickersham Brothers, clad in smart bow-tied waiters' costumes. Four likely lads these, with their "boy band looks" and polished group performance.

Gerald Taylor did well as The Grinch as did  Oli  Newhall as the judge, Yertle The Turtle.

A team of mostly young people played The Who, tiny and invisible to all save Horton. Their joint shout of "YOPP" being unexpectedly loud enough to be heard by all and thus save themselves. Their big scene and number was "Here On Who" in which they captured the hearts of we in the audience in charming style. The Who were:-

Isa Anderson                Molly Haynes
Peter Barnett                Amelia Hulbert
Amelia Cox                  Ann-Marie Martin Coles
Erin Gaffney                 Gabriella Pearce
Charlotte Harris            Lucy Stevens  
Rebecca Harris                                                                    

The musical content, especially bearing in mind the youth of many of the company, was of high standard. Two particular favourites of mine were Alone in the Universe (Horton and Jojo/Tom and Zoe) and Solla Sollew with some beautiful harmonies by many players. High praise then for Colin Copestake for achieving such a standard.  The vibrantly energetic dancing throughout was perhaps what will linger longest in the memory. Louise E. Wilson has worked wonders with this talented company who all looked, sang, acted and danced as though their very lives depended upon it.  John Harries-Rees as show director is a truly special show visionary and his seamless fast moving production, with pathos, humour and so much else besides brought this charming though complicated plot into a thrilling reality.

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