By Conor O’Neill
The excitement is palpable, not surprising giving the number of kids packed into a full capacity Grand Opera House: sweets are going down as quickly as sugar-hyped kids are getting all in a tither as we wait on curtain up. Based on the 2005 movie produced by DreamWorks, the musical doesn’t veer too far away from the initial script. We are, of course, talking about Madagascar The Musical.
The whole wild gang are here: Alex the lion, played by Joseph Hewlett, and star attraction of New York’s zoo, along with his motley crew of friends. There’s Melman (Joshua Oakes-Rogers) the hyopchondriac giraffe, Gloria (Jarneia Richard-Noel) the hippo and of course, Marty (Francisco Gomes) the wanderlust-fuelled zebra.
Life is easy in the zoo, food on tap, adoring admirers, yet Marty is turning 10-years-old and going through something of a mid-life crisis. He wants adventure, he wants to roam the wilds of Africa. The others aren’t in on this plan and he decides to go it alone.
On hearing the penguins are planning an escape as they wish to return to their home in Antartica. The penguins are puppets, and the puppetry has young ‘uns and their parents in stitches. They bring the house down with their heart-pumping rendition of I Like To Move It.
Head of puppetry Emma Brunton and choreographer Fabian Aloise work in tandem with director Kirk Jameson who runs a tight ship and there isn’t one noticeable mistake. Hardly surprising given this is a touring West End production.
The song titles aren’t listed in the programme, but as expected all the lead characters have wonderful pipes with Richard-Noe as Gloria the hippo and Joesph Hewlett as Alex standing a few inches taller lung-wise than the rest of the troop.
The dialogue is slick and as the production has to keep up with fidgeting glucose-fueled children with limited attention spans, things are kept succinct and pacey. The dance sequences don’t disappoint either, and given the average age being massively reduced due to the amount of kids on board, the plot is easy to follow. There are no frights to frighten even the most timid of children, this show is suitable for all ages.
The only sense of threat is the introduction of leader of the lemurs King Julien (Karim Zeroual). For an eight-year-old this performance must seem to have it all: action, easily understood plot, big dance scenes and a thrilling ending. Fear not parents. There’s something for the adults too: you’ll admire the puppetry, Oakes-Rogers performance of Melman the giraffe, is a joy to watch.
Fortunately there’s also a brilliant band in the pit and under the tutelage of musical director, Darren John, the band furnish the plot with triumphant sounds. Starting a 7pm, the show – including interval where the sweet counter was for once busier than the bar – we’re out before 9 o’clock. Plenty of times to get the little ones home for bed on a school night/
Madagascar The Musical runs at the Grand Opera House up to and including Saturday, March 9th.
For booking details visit http://www.goh.co.uk or simply phone the box office on 02890 241919
ENDS
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