Seussical The Musical

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed – 27th November 2018

★★★★

“Celebrating imagination and kindness, ‘Seussical the Musical’ is a truly joyful production that will delight all ages.”

“An unusual story will soon be unfurled,” promises the Cat in the Hat as he opens ‘Seussical the Musical.’ It’s the story we all know and love. There are tails that grow so big birds stop being able to fly, people so small you can’t see them and of course, the iconic Cat in the Hat, orchestrating it all.

Our story begins with “a think”, when Horton the elephant finds a dust speck with a planet of tiny Whos on it that he vows to protect. After all, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” This is a heart warming story of friendship, non-judgemental kindness and most importantly the resounding power of the imagination. Director James Tobias notes some of the many topics that the narrative discusses: “bullying, unrequited love, body insecurity” which are explored in an accessible and nurturing way. And this musical production of it is an absolute success.

The cast is spectacularly strong across the board, a cohesive ensemble who also find their own vivid individualisms. Amy Perry is the perfect Gertrude McFuzz, a one feathered bird with a fantastic voice, she immediately has her audience rooting for her. Scott Paige as Horton the Elephant is equally perfect – charming, kind and gentle. Marc Pickering plays the cat himself, playful and vibrant, flitting chameleon like between characters. Ngozi Ugoh as Sour kangaroo is also a highlight, a vocal powerhouse who shines with charisma.

The show is fantastically designed by collaborative team Justin Williams and Jonny Rust, with a clear emphasis on colour. The Whos all wear yellow and orange (costumes by Rachel Cartlidge), the set itself is painted pink, and every last detail has been factored into this aesthetic.

The music created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty mimics a range of musical styles, swing, jazz and of course classic musical theatre. I’m still humming some of my favourites today! Between songs though the piece can feel a little thin, and there is little scripting to allow us to get to know these characters when they’re not singing. At moments it feels almost medley like although the talent of the cast carry the production through.

Celebrating imagination and kindness, ‘Seussical the Musical’ is a truly joyful production that will delight all ages.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Adam Trigg

Seussical The Musical

Southwark Playhouse until 29th December

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue!

Old Fools | ★★★★★ | March 2018

The Country Wife | ★★★ | April 2018

Why is the Sky Blue? | ★★★★★ | May 2018

The Sweet Science of Bruising | ★★★★ | October 2018

The Trench | ★★★ | October 2018

The Funeral Director | ★★★★★ | November 2018

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

★★★½

“an incredibly promising production, entertaining and topical, that just requires some streamlining to fulfil its potential”

Devin (played by Hassan Govia who also wrote the piece) has just moved into his new apartment. There’s Veuve Clicquot to greet his four friends, as they arrive one by one. Everyone has to put slippers on and there’s no smoking indoors. But Devin’s newfound wealth hasn’t just upgraded his postcode, and the play examines the impact of money on personal relationships, romantic, familial and platonic.

It is a play that deals with race, class and money whilst still making its audience laugh. The news is also touched upon, regarding what it is and what it should be. Even Brexit is mentioned. It is certainly a play situated very much within our contemporary political and social context, without coming across as heavy handed or didactic.

Unshaded Arts is a theatre company who work to put on new plays that centre marginalised voices, co-founded by Cristal Cole, Hassan Govia and Chiedza Rwodzi. This is their first production as a company and it is a really strong start. The actors are consistently convincing across the board. Cristal Cole as Giselle, Devin’s sister, is a welcome late addition to the cast, arriving with an infectious pace and energy. Maria Yarjah as Joslyn and Natali Servat as Dahlia are equally strong and each cast member brings something different to the stage. There is something lacking in their overall coming together, but this is surely something that will tighten up over the course of the run.

Hassan Govia’s writing is engaging and nuanced and shows clear skill. Boujie does go on a little too long for a one act piece, and there are moments that feel unnecessary and border on the repetitive. However this is still an undeniably successful piece of writing that simply requires some editing. The intermediary musical moments do not work. The music is too quiet and the energy drops in these moments.

This is an incredibly promising production, entertaining and topical, that just requires some streamlining to fulfil its potential.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Alessa Davidson

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed – 27th November 2018

★★★★

“Celebrating imagination and kindness, ‘Seussical the Musical’ is a truly joyful production that will delight all ages.”

The show is fantastically designed by collaborative team Justin Williams and Jonny Rust, with a clear emphasis on colour. The Whos all wear yellow and orange (costumes by Rachel Cartlidge), the set itself is painted pink, and every last detail has been factored into this aesthetic.

Celebrating imagination and kindness, ‘Seussical the Musical’ is a truly joyful production that will delight all ages.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Adam Trigg

Seussical The Musical

Southwark Playhouse until 29th December

Last ten shows reviewed at this venue!

Drayton Arms Theatre

Reviewed – 22nd November 2018

★★★½

“an incredibly promising production, entertaining and topical, that just requires some streamlining to fulfil its potential”

This is an incredibly promising production, entertaining and topical, that just requires some streamlining to fulfil its potential.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Alessa Davidson

Boujie

Drayton Arms Theatre until 8th December

Previously reviewed at this venue: