Seussical

What a happy, wholesome show this is!

Seussical creators, Flaherty and Ahrens, took principal characters from several Dr Seuss books, mimicked his doggerel style and threw them together in various plot situations to produce the book and lyrics.

Director, Laraine Griffiths, saw this as a great opportunity for adults-down-to-juniors to perform. And they do. The singing is not always up to scratch and the chorus numbers (there are many) require more attention to articulation, but the well rehearsed choreography, unbounded energy and performance joy more than compensate for vocal limitations.

The ten-piece stage band deserves special credit. They provide great support to the actor-singers.

Tall and willowy Chris Vagg, ideal choice for The Cat in the Hat, tied the various stories together with great aplomb. Two birds and an elephant stole the show: Lauren Ware as Gertrude, the bird who wanted a more elaborate tail, got it, then found she couldn’t fly; Larissa Cartaxo’s Latin bombshell, Mayzie, threw herself into the big Latin numbers; and lumbered Horton, the steadfast elephant (Josh Whitten built a character we could love), with her egg while she flew off to enjoy the good life.

Dylan McLean shone as Jo Jo, son of the Mayor of Who and his wife, and has the good sense to avoid going to war. There are morals scattered throughout if we care to look for them.

This Dr Seuss is a tonic for all ages.

Jay McKee

Photographer: Brett Pearce