Seussical

Helena College (WA). Directed by Kristen Twynam-Perkins. Musical Direction by Helena Jeffrey. Helena College Performing Arts Centre. 14-18 Aug 2014

While Middle School musicals are becoming increasingly common, to mount a full-scale musical in a small (three stream) school, is a major achievement.

I managed to catch a Saturday evening performance of Helena College's Seussical - the previous evening having to be abandoned due to a suburb-wide power outage. The cast had rebounded with joy and a professional attitude.

There was lots of effort and enthusiasm from this young cast, many of whom were performing in their first musical.

Roenan Bodenham has strong acting chops as Horton, working nicely with the likeable Cameron Watkins-Kerr as JoJo and a well energised Harrison Brandsma as The Cat In The Cat.

Taylor-Rose Price was a sweet-voiced, earnest Gertrude, contrasting gorgeously with the vocally mature Charlotte Anderson, playing Mayzie with brash sophistication. Sophie Mann made a very cute Sour Kangaroo with Sebastian Wood as her equally cute offspring. I particularly enjoyed the performance of Conor Robson as General Genghis Khan Schmitz.

A hard working ensemble brought lots of colour and life, with all of the actors putting thought and effort into their roles.

Bright, imaginative costumes and set art by students lent additional whimsy.

A band made up mostly of students added depth of sound and a high point was an improvised moment as The Cat allowed a tiny audience member to conduct the entr'acte.

Seussical appears to be 'show of the moment' with multiple productions scheduled locally in schools and community theatres. Helena College's Seussical was a joyful and well-directed incarnation of this great little show.

Kimberley Shaw