Seussical Jr.
St Mark’s Anglican Community School. Directed by Kristy Raymond. Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex. 23-25 Oct 2014
Seussical is clearly the show to do at the moment, with numerable productions recently in the west and at least another in rehearsal. This incarnation, presented by the Middle School students of St Mark’s Anglican Community School, was a high quality, great feeling production.
With a cast of sixty-seven Year 7 to 9 students, all bursting with enthusiasm, energy levels were outstanding and all of the cast knew where to be and had a great sense of what they were doing.
Jessica Watson had a lovely presence as The Cat in the Hat, while Chad Giraudo (who shares the role with Will Bastow) was centred and assured in the central role of Jojo.
Ben Del Borrello was a lovely Horton the Elephant with an appropriately unassuming, polished performance. He was nicely paired with professional 12-year-old actress Chloe Marlow, who owned the role of Gertrude, sang beautifully and delivered probably the funniest interpretation of this role that I have seen.
Julia Young as flamboyant Mayzie La Bird, led a top quality septet of bird girls. Strong voiced Hannah James was a powerful Sour Kangaroo, who stirred a fabulous group of Wickershams to action.
Mr and Mrs Mayor (Jordan Wickam and Bridget Smith) led a lovely chorus of Whos, while the Jungle Citizens, Circus Performers and Fish were all focused and strong. Lovely cameos by the Grinch and Yertle (Matthew Jankowski), Things (Emma Kent and Ciara Crockett) and end of show surprise package – Matilda Raymond (who shares her role with her brother Lochlan).
I’ve lost count of the number of times I have watched Seussical, but this production found some new ideas and fresh thoughts. I loved the tap dancing final number.
Costumes and sets were simple but beautifully executed and the quality of sound, lighting, makeup and hair and stage-management belied the heavy student involvement in these areas.
This production had a glorious community spirit, with a great feeling front of house and was a lovely celebration both of Seuss and the joy of performing. Congratulations to director Kristy Raymond and all at St Marks for a fabulous first Middle School Production.
Kimberley Shaw