Review of Seussical at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York

It's been 30 years since I've been to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, and it really hasn't changed. It's an airy space with a wide stage and the sort of rake which keeps every seat leaf-free and with a great view of a primarily colourful and professional set. Welcome to Whoville.

As an almost middle-aged man with the vaguest of awareness of the complex or possibly just slightly bonkers work of Dr Seuss, I was most relieved to dodge an earful of gnarled American accidents. (A visit to the same theatre to see a production of South Pacific in the early 80s still occasionally wakes me up in a cold sweat).

Here, the man with the plan is a cat with a hat. Or to give him his full title, The Cat In The Hat. He is played with the sort of charisma that no 8-year-old boy has the right to have, charmingly overseeing proceedings with a mix of Willy Wonka and a young Alan Cumming, but with added (and impressive) treble range.

The staging delivers a coherence to the Pratchett-esque plot, and permits the audient to let a lot of the many words slip by and just enjoy the ride and the simple underlying message.

Seussical is a show that keeps the attention with its psychedelic set and gutsy performances, all supported by a live orchestra, or at least a bobbing head in the orchestra pit, depending on where you are sitting. It is a musical with a relentless musical drive. There is no pausing for chit-chat as an enthused cast appears and disappears, crowds and congregates to support the capable cat. Dancers who could actually dance, singers who could actually sing, and adult actors who could actually grow wacky facial hair. People (genuinely) of all ages.

The cat with the scat purs his links as Whoville showcases its array of performers - I really enjoyed the clarity of the punchy six-strong front- of-stage chorus who were right on the money to help knock things merrily along.

Seussical is a speedboat that you ride to the end of a show that doesn't overstay its welcome (as they might say in theatrical reviews).

It will most likely leave people of all ages with a smile on their face and at least one earworm and possibly two, for their troubles.

And hats off to the gentleman with the dickie bows at the door. 

Someday all theatregoers will be greeted that way once more.