Seussical Jr

For those who don’t know …  Seussical Jr is a musical based on the children's stories of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who! while incorporating many other stories. After the Broadway debut of Seussical the Musical in 2000, it has spawned two US national tours and a West End production, and has become a production for schools and it was this incarnation that Spotlight Theatre School staged with great enthusiasm and gusto today.

This was the first time I have seen either variant of Seussical but having, in my childhood, a much cherished and very heavily thumbed ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ I was very familiar with the fantastical world that I was about to enter and was swept away to the Jungle of Nool and Horton the elephant's discovery of the Who’s in a speck of dust.

This was very much an ensemble production by a very young and talented cast.  George Young, Megan Holder, Caitlin Young, and Bradley Law drove the narrative throughout the production as the Cat in the Hat, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz and Horton the elephant.  Every team member brought their own individual personalities to their stylised roles and this was the joy of the production with mischievous monkeys, energetic kangaroos, distressed Whos and Jungle Creatures all adding the uninterrupted action which moved rapidly thanks to the simple but effective staging enhanced by sympathetic lighting, sound and key props.  

The costuming was also a highlight which allowed the audience to use its imagination - not being too literal, but highly evocative of the animals, whos etc. that were brought to life by the physicality of the cast.

The production team should be congratulated – all the characterisation was judged just right thanks to the work of Jess Hardy-Turner and movement from Bethany Wear which the cast clearly enjoyed delivering throughout the show.  Patrick McCrystal had ensured the cast had great diction alongside the backing track and the staging and props and costuming were all the better for their “home grown” nature.

Many congratulations all, and thanks for my first Spotlight Theatre School show..

Martin Holtom

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