This was my first visit to Woodend Mill in Mossley. I am no stranger to the company, Mossley AODS, but I am to their youth theatre, known as Next Generation, who are now (and have been for some time) based at Woodend Mill, where all their classes take place. The company has even built a theatre with raked seating and ample performance space and wings within their floor. It was this theatre I found myself at this evening, to watch the Junior group of Next Generation {I am uncertain of their actual ages, but am guessing between 10 and 14} in their production of 'Seussical'.
'Seussical' is an odd musical at best, as it doesn't follow one storyline from the pen of the Swiss-American poet, Dr. Seuss, but instead takes characters and storylines from several and mixes them altogether to make a storyline long enough to make into a full-scale show. It can therefore become quite confusing at times, and if you don't know your Seuss, it makes it even more difficult to follow. Fortunately I have seen the full musical a few times before and so was able to follow the story this evening. My companion on the other hand was completely new to the show, and was completely lost, not understanding even the basics of the plot. I think that I too would have been confused had I not had a prior knowledge. Why did we not understand it? Well, the first reason is probably that this was a shortened 'junior' version of the show, which cuts out most of the dialogue and some of the songs to make a one-hour child-friendly adaptation.[although the full length show is also child-friendly too on this occasion]. Perhaps in the so doing, the plot has become less clear. Which brings me to my second point. The direction. If the plot is not clear and easily understandable, then we must look to the director - in this case Abey Bradbury - to make the necessary signposting and throughline for the audience's comprehension; which sadly, in this case, she didn't. Perhaps a third consideration would be the costuming. Had the characters been given costumes more fitting to their characters - ie: The Cat In The Hat looked like the Seuss carton version; The Sour Kangaroo looked more like a kangaroo, and the two birds looked more like birds (with requisite tails and wings) etc - but the costumes didn't really help in his regard sadly; although I did like the idea that all the Whos were dressed in orange. Finally, neither of us understood that the large lollipop items being held throughout were supposed to be clovers! All this is such a shame, as the children themselves gave their alls to the show, and we would have loved to have understood their production much better than we did.
One more small problem this evening was the lighting. Several times through the show the principals were cast in darkness during their songs. I am uncertain as to why this happened, and feel sure it wasn't supposed to be that way, so hopefully that will have been rectified for any further performances.
Of course, none of this is the children's fault. I am not suggesting for one minute that it is. The cast of 25 youngsters were energetic, dedicated, passionate, and giving 100% all the way through. It was inspiring to watch them.
Starting the show was Jojo, the son of the mayor of the Whos, played here by a very confident and immediately likeable _*. Helping him along, jumping out of a Seuss book and then becoming a quasi-narrator character was another confident and personable performer, _* as The Cat In The Hat. It was a shame this version of the show didn't give her more to do, as she seemed to be sidelined every time she came on stage, which was odd.
_*'s Horton The Elephant carried the principal storylines of trying to save The Who (who live on a speck of dust on a clover), and incubating an abandoned egg for a wayward and star-struck bird. A sturdy, unwavering performance which meant that her quietude and calm determination gave all the other characters licence to run and dance around her creating a nice contrast and an interesting dynamic.
_* as Gertrude McFuzz, and _* as Mayzie La Bird, both impressed with their interpretations, and the two differing bird characters were brought out nicely. _*'s Sour Kangaroo-with-attitude and powerful singing voice was a joy.
The four Bird Girl backing singers/dancers worked nicely together and the whole ensemble impressed with both their singing and dancing. A highly energetic, fun show, of which all those on stage this evening should be very proud. There was lots of 'attitude', and everyone was focussed and completely in character the whole time, even when the temptations to acknowledge family in the audience were presented to them... so that again is very much in their favour. Congratulations.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.5.23
on - 23.5.23
_* = names removed at the request of the society.
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