Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Junior.
This one-hour production of Madagascar is delightful and genuinely entertaining for all ages. Remarkably, it was prepared and staged in two weeks.
Some thirty or so young people met on a Monday morning, were cast overnight, worked 9-4.30 in the studio of week one and moved to The Playhouse Theatre on the Monday of week two. Some of the young people were Exit Left students and others, singers or dancers from other schools. For some, this was their first experience on the stage. This theatre intensive offered an authentic means of engaging in storytelling, honing stagecraft, and working collaboratively to bring a high standard performance to the public.
The show never flags in pace or interest. The use of Broadway Media projections and vibrant lighting is visually engaging. The work of lighting designer, sixteen-year-old, Lara Storey, is especially evident in Be Cool and Steak. The projections (QLAB operated by another teenager, Mackenzie Williams) facilitated full use of the stage by the large cast. Well-chosen props are whisked on and off. Synchronised to audio tracks which were perfectly balanced with voices (aided only by floor level microphones) the story progresses unabated. Young audience members could not fail to be engrossed.
Contributing to the visual appear is outstanding makeup and costume design by Suzen Parnell. Facial features are highlighted to suggest the animal represented without compromising facial expression. The hair styling is also notable. Marty the Zebra sports a rigid striped mane while Melman, the giraffe, two erect ossicones. Melman wears patterned overalls, Gloria (the hippo) is in pink satin, and Alex the lion couples a backcombed mane with a fur vest. King Julian adopts the familiar headdress, epitomising all things cool in round glasses and Doc Martins. All characters are clearly identifiable.
Madagascar is well cast. Ensemble members fill the stage in big, choreographed numbers (I like to Move it) but all have a moment in the sun in various minor roles. The Foosa moved in a fluid and threatening manner, and the lemurs are riotous and colourful. The Lioness and Steak choreography is particularly enjoyable.
The principles are very capable. Emily Hiscock as Alex the Lion has a relaxed stage presence and strong voice. Lola Courtney (Marty the Zebra), Georgie Stringer (Gloria the Hippo) and Sasha Bennet (Melman the giraffe) give performances that are physically and vocally convincing, imbued with a great deal of humour. Jacob Tipping is charismatic as King Julian.
The efforts of these young people are inspiring. Expectations placed upon them to commit, learn, and meet an exacting standard can only be rewarded by self-confidence, skill, ongoing friendship and the knowledge that Hobart audiences have been charmed by their exertions.
Anne Blythe-Cooper
Photo Credits Exit Left
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