Hats off for Seuss play

11:10am Friday 9th May 2008

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Review - Seussical the Musical, The Waterside Arts Centre, 5 out of 5, by Julia Taylor

If your children didn't see Mother Goose in January, they've a second chance to enjoy themselves because Sale Nomads Theatre Club are presenting "Seussical the Musical" at Sale Waterside Arts Centre until Saturday.

Thirty catchy tunes are included in a lively production based on books by the American author, Dr Seuss.

Most people will recognise "The Cat in the Hat" Horton Hears a Who" and "Horton" hatches an Egg" combined in the musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Right from the start we see Cat in the Hat who acts as narrator and introduces us to the characters. Wearing a large, striped hat, Karen Garrattley keeps the show moving in a feline way.

Horton, the elephant becomes a leading light when he discovers a planet balanced on a speck of dust occupied by tiny people called Whos and befriends the smallest child, Jo-Jo.

On the night I went, Jo-Jo was played by Louis Estherby (on other nights by Joel Mallen).

I can't praise ten-year-old Louis enough.

He had stage presence, an expressive face, a clear diction and could sing well. I especially liked it when he sang "It's Possible" whilst sitting in a bubble bath.

But his mate, Horton, was ostracised for his belief in the Whos.

Things got worse when Horton was sold to a circus and taken to court where he was tried for, among other things, "talking to a dust speck"

On stage most of the time, James Goodwin played Horton with the correct amount of curiosity, sweetness and loyalty. James has a wonderful voice and never lost his American accent.

His grey, all-in-one suit with tail was just one of many imaginatively designed costumes.

As well as the costumes, I was impressed with the makeup and wigs, especially those worn by the children who danced and sang so beautifully throughout under Vicki Smith's guidance.

I also liked Beth Lancashire's Gertrude, a love sick bird who grew a new tail and her counterpart, Mayzie (Rachel Barrington) a neglectful mother bird who deserted her egg for the high life and tricked Horton into sitting on it.

All the soloists sang well and the chorus performed a range of musical styles to the accompaniment of an eight piece on-stage band.

With its large cast, intricate costumes and special effects Seussical the Musical is a lot more difficult to put on than you would think.

But the Nomads rose to the challenge.

This was one of the best shows I have seen this group perform. It must surely be in line for an am dram award.

Show begins at 7.30 on Thursday and Friday, 8th and 9th May and 2.00 pm and 6.30 pm on Saturday, May 10th. Ring 969 5140 for tickets.

Julia Taylor