Seussical the Musical

Seussical the Musical

Stage One 2000

17/4/25

This was my first introduction to the magical musical Seussical, music by Stephen Flaherty with Lyrics by Alynn Ahrens co-conceived by Eric Idle. It is  a complex mix of the Dr Seuss stories, this show is outstanding, the singing is strong with stunning harmonies and there are stand-out performances what an amazing performance from Stage One 2000 lay ahead.

The story centres around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo and all the invisible Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but also guard an abandoned unhatced egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes ‘his kind and his powerful heart.’ Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged, in a story that makes you laugh and cry. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude save the Whos, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool!

The original show was first performed on Broadway in 2000 a musical of two acts, has a pretty frantic pace, with musical number rapidly following musical number, with very little spoken dialogue, however what there is in rhyming verse, meaning the show is something of a whirlwind. However, the audience loved the message of this enchanting tale, the importance of imagination, loyalty and acceptance guaranteeing to send you home feeling all warm and fuzzy.

The curtain opens, we are introduced to The Cat in the Hat (Anna Phillips) who is the essence of mischief, fun, and imagination. The Cat stirs things up, causes mayhem, but always puts things right again. Cat helps Jojo (Daisy Vernon) a young Who with a wild imagination, who often gets into trouble for ‘thinking’ . The Cat encourages Jojo to discover the power of your own imagination as they both create the story for the show together. You just know your in for a very special musical experience, we were not disappointed.  (Oscar Sherwen) plays a sincere and instantly likeable Horton (an Elephant), with his keen sense of hearing can hear the microscopic citizens of Whoville, a city of human-like beings living on a fleck of dust on a mutated clover (I know it’s crazy). It was impossible not to root for Horton on his quest to save the Whos, as Cat in the Hat sneaked in and out of the action to excellent comic effect.

There are four principal characters The Cat, Horton, Gertrude, and JoJo, but this really is an ensemble show. All the characters work together to tell the story, each playing an important part. We have Gertrude McFuzz (Lily Criddle) She is in love with Horton and does what she can to get his attention. Then we have Mayzie LaBird (Amelia Carter) who manipulates anyone she can especially Horton, Sour Kangaroo (Ruby Thomas) the main antagonist and the cause of  Horton’s trouble, Mr. and Mrs. Mayor (Sam Darker & Emily Delaney) parents trying hard to raise a child with a big imagination,  The Wickersham Brothers (Alfie Greer, Roisin Cairns, Harry Cockrill , who get a kick out of causing mischief , Baby Kangaroo (Mollie Elliott) Sours feisty daughter and the Bird Girls (Awen, Annie, Sophie ,Chrisell and Mia who know all the goings on in the jungle, Grinch (Caleb Williams-Hunt) arguably the most famous Seuss character of all, General Genghis Khan Schmitz (Callum Bailey),head of the military school, Yertle the Turtle The judge who presides over Horton’s trial at the end of the show. (Stan Jones), Vlad Vladikoff a black-bottomed eagle who flies off with the Whos. (Sophie Jones/Sofis Da Silva Soares, Solo Cadet (Harry Darker), Court Recorder (James Harris). This shows performance is a true team production, too many to mention individually, the Solo Whos, Jungle Ensemble, Who Ensemble, you were all amazing.

Top hats off to Director Brenda Davies, balancing the humorous and whimsical with great success. Her casting was spot on, as was Callum Makin, Richard Lee, Clinton Ball and the production crew, lighting the talented Derel Boseley. Visually the show is, without doubt, spectacular; the set design is bright, colourful and very recognisably from the world of Seuss. Jenny Kings clever and vibrant costumes just splendid. The musical numbers, though not all memorable are really enjoyable and splendidly performed by the cast, highlights for me, ‘Its Possible’ ‘How Lucky you Are’ and ‘Solla Sollew’. Musical Director Sian James and the orchestra once again supported the production never overpowering the cast. The ensemble was incessantly energetic and never faltered to utter a line or make a move. Every number was polished and I particularly enjoyed the lively and efficient choreography, which is not easy with such a large and mixed ability cast. Well done to Ali Bently-Jones. I would like to congratulate Sophie Brown and Amelia Heyes (Listed Thing 1 and 2 in the programme) for your excellent scene /prop work for this production. Both dressed in bright Blue and Red with matching wigs, you blended wonderfully with the cast, you were faultless.Seussical is feel-good fun for the whole family, it transported us from the Jungle of Nool to a tiny planet of Who, a journey of laughter with plenty of wise words (and a few very silly ones) to take home. I somehow found myself welling up as the play ended with Horton pulling out a baby elephant with bird wings from Mayzie’s egg. This was an exceptional performance from Stage One 2000 youth society, which is now forty-one years old, they still keep in contact with many ex-members following their careers, one who is now in Mama Mia in the West End. One thing I will take away from this courageous show is Hortons words ‘a person is a person, no matter how small’.

Thank you for my invitation I really enjoyed this production, it was amazing in every way. Looking forward to the next production.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

 

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