I can see that you’ve got quite a mind for your age! 
Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage! 
Now, I’m here, there is no telling what may ensue 
With a Cat such as me, and a Thinker like you! 

In my last review (Alice in Wonderland) I spoke about the beauty of the imagination in creating strange new worlds. Well, anything Lewis Carroll could do; Dr Seuss goes ten steps further.

Seussical begins with a child reading a book on an empty stage, bar a red and white hat, in which she thinks up a cat who encourages the child to use the imagination to create wonderful worlds. These include the jungle dwellers of Nool and the Whos that live in a speck of dust which is protected by Norton the Elephant. Makes sense? No, but it is not supposed to. This is fantasy after all. I had no prior knowledge of this musical and very little more of the worlds of Dr Seuss. So much so, I will admit having to Wikipedia it all during the interval. I have only had to do that once before in a musical and that was American Idiot, with the music of one of my favourite bands in Green Day, therefore Seussical was in good company. What I will say, though, despite not having a clue until Act Two, I enjoyed every minute full of incredible performances beyond those expected for youth theatre ages with great voices, dance and acting. It is certainly a show I want to explore further with a cast recording; a sure sign that a production has hit the mark with me.

It is always good to see high levels of excellence, and these were clear throughout the entire cast. As The Cat in the Hat, we had Thomas Bastable who led the standards on show in all areas. Then, playing JoJo with fine voice was Tiffany Clarke; again such a strong voice. Horton the Elephant was Max Thompson with Molly Bastable (Gertrude McFuzz) and Nancy Minaker (Mayzie La Bird) and all three were up there in merit. I particularly, also enjoyed Sour Kangaroo (Casey Micheala) which took voice strength even higher along with an equally sassy Roo (Matilda Crump).

As I have said, the brilliance spread its way through the company, and these were Hannah Allsop, Makena Straker-Sharpe, Lucas Barker and Jackson Tomkys (The Wickersham Brothers), Clan Grayson (Yertle the Turtle), Stan Flyn-Jones (Vlad Vladikoff), Macy O’Donaghue, Ava O’Donaghue, Amelia Perry, Kiran Thevar-Ward, Meadow Power and Isabella Hale (The Bird Girls), Nathan Thevar-Ward (Mr Mayor), Isla Smith (Mrs Mayor), Taylor Sminer (General Genghis Khan Schmitz), Leo Locklin (The Grinch), Isabella Baker (Cindy Lou Who), Esme-Jean Forbes-Moore (Who Storyteller) with Eva Myers, Amel Zegnani, Benji Williams, Ruby Owens, Evie Roper, Emelia Forbes and Libby Sandle (Remaining Whos).

Top numbers for me were Oh Thinks You Can Think, Alone in the Universe and All for You. I did also thoroughly enjoy The Circus McGurkus, however my overall favourite was the tap dancing by torchlight during Havin’ a Hunch.

The creatives behind Seussical were Stephen Flaherty, music and Lynn Ahrens lyrics with both writing the book. The director was Stacey Harris with Joe Logan (Choreographer and Musical Director). They were both aided on production by Sarah Jennings (Production Assistant/Vocal Coach), Freddie Perry (Assistant Director/Musical Director) and Beth Gilbert (Assistant Choreographer). All can be proud of their work and that of the cast in this wonderful show.

I must also compliment Front of House. Always a good raffle and merchandise on sale to raise funds and having been invited to review, the VIP treatment of welcome pack, seeing if we were happy with our seats and the complimentary Magnums during the interval were appreciated. Smile are back very soon for their summer intensive and Carrie the Musical before taking on Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Check them out, you will not be disappointed.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos courtesy of Smile Musical Youth Theatre.