Starring: Nick Wilkinson, Chris Symon, Monique Clementson, Joshi Reinhold, Chelsea Kelly & Jenny Stewart
Producer: Showcase Entertainment Group
Venue: Clarence St Theatre
The Cat in the Hat leapt onto the stage at Clarence St Theatre delighting multiple audiences in a triple performance day which also marked the beginning of a nationwide school holiday tour. Children of all ages were spellbound from the moment the cast appeared on stage.
Dr Seuss’s book was first published in 1957 but the story has stood the test of time. For those who need a gentle reminder, the tale is about Sally and Conrad who are bored at home while being babysat by their fish. The Cat in the Hat arrives and chaos ensues as his mischievous sidekicks Thing 1 and Thing 2 turn the house upside down in their quest to play. When everything appears completely out of control, it becomes apparent that the sibling’s mother is on her way home. How will Sally and Conrad explain the utter mess the house is in?
Monique Clementson (Sally) and Chris Symon (Conrad) drew on their immense theatrical experience to perform the story with minimal dialogue. Their roles relied on action and physical comedy which Clementson and Symon delivered in spades, and they were charming as bratty siblings.
Joshi Reinhold played the fish. It took admirable skill as he was essentially a puppeteer with the loudest costume on stage (and incredible socks), but was able to pull focus to the fish when required and add to the overall spectacle as the fish navigated his way through the zany day.
Nick Wilkinson who played the Cat also directed the show. His stature, sense of the ridiculous, stage presence and ability to direct the audience at times was brilliant. As the tempo of the story increased, so did the action but it was all delivered in a slick and compelling manner using the full width of the stage.
Jenny Stewart (Thing 1) and Chelsea Kelly (Thing 2) were bundles of energy and a highlight for the children in the audience.
The crew worked hard throughout with multiple props, and sound and lighting effects. The set, props, costumes and merchandise are world class.
Attending the show was like falling into a Dr Seuss book then being swept up in a bizarre world that left the audience fully energised at its conclusion. The Cat in the Hat is jam packed with action, magical intrigue for children and laughs for adults. At 50 minutes long, performance is an ideal length for the little ones. The Cat in the Hat is purrfect school holiday entertainment, particularly if children are claiming to be as bored as Sally and Conrad.
The tour continues on to Napier, Wellington, Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Christchurch, Nelson, Palmerston North, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Auckland and Whangarei. Check Dr Seuss's The Cat in the Hat New Zealand for dates.
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