Every so often a show comes to town that brings something new, exciting and memorable and following its success with A Christmas Carol, the Playhouse has achieved this in quick succession, bringing another stunning physical theatre performance with, this time, children’s classic, The Cat In The Hat.
The colourful, information packed, show programme boasts on the front cover, ‘In Association With The National Centre For Circus Arts’ and they didn’t disappoint. Designed by Isla Shaw, the spectacular set, a huge black and white line-drawn house interior, hid a myriad of tricks and acrobatic climbing footholds to constantly thrill the mainly very young audience and their equally delighted grown-ups. A bad experience of physical theatre, at Sydney Opera House no less, has left me very wary of this hugely challenging genre but, Leicester producing theatre, Curve’s physically flexible and nimble cast made it look easy. Every hilarious tumble and balance were well-rehearsed and carefully choreographed to produce a visual display that can’t be captured on television. This was part of its success for technology obsessed children. The set could have been a giant television screen and at times you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a taping of a Saturday morning children’s TV programme.
The enthusiasm of the performers lead by brother, Boy (Sam Angell) and sister Sally (Melissa Lowe) never dropped for a second as they quickly gained audience participation in song and dance and (maybe a bit too much) audience water spraying (they got me four times) as they romped around all parts of the three-tiered theatre much to the obvious delight of the young audience. The original genius is in the writing by Dr. Seuss and this much-loved story was brought to life for the mainly well-read (to) children who obviously loved the book and had seen the film.
The anticipation of props was only outdone by the anticipation for The Cat (Nana Amoo-Gottfried) who made his first glorious appearance some ten minutes into the first thirty-minute half. True to the book, his black cat costume boasted a snaking curly tail and famous red and white tall hat that perched precariously on his tall frame. All performances were outstanding from The Cat to Fish in a giant rolling transparent bubble (Charley Magalit) who also sang with an amazing operatic soprano voice. Tumblers Celia Francis as Thing 1 and Robert Penny as Thing 2 almost stole the show in the second half with a hugely entertaining slapstick routine displaying skill and precision that was evident in the whole fast-paced show. The cast charmed throughout leaving my four-year-old companion as not the only child asking, ‘Can we see it again tomorrow?’
Reviewer - Barbara Sherlock
on - 12/2/19
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