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Johannesburg - Seussical The Musical Jr offers some vital messages using music and comedy.
Next time you’re at a children’s theatre production, take some time to look around you at the audience and you’ll notice it’s probably as idyllic a picture as can be desired. There is no black and white, no male and female and no classism. In fact, this would be the perfect advert for a political party looking to bridge the various gaps that we have in society.
It’s as if the People’s Theatre’s production of Seussical Jr is aimed squarely at the US president elect, who is known for being intolerant of those who do not look or sound like him or share his values.
The production is based on a number of the much-loved Dr Seuss books, such as The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, If I Ran the Circus, Horton Hears a Who, all with a positive message. The cast masterfully executes a story about letting the audience know that no matter what we look like, big or small, short or tall, we are all humans and we deserve to be treated equally.
On opening night, Saxola Ketshengane played the Cat in the Hat and he was an absolute gem on stage as he danced and sang his way into the young ones’ hearts. His facial expressions, theatrical mannerisms and evident energy ensured that there was never a moment of dullness on stage. Gregg Pettigrew, as Horton the adorable elephant, also owned his character, making it believable that he is a kind and caring person in real life.
Resident directors at the People’s Theatre Keith Smith and Jill Gerard ensured that each and every cast member is matched to a character that they find easy to play. Kayli Smith played the quirky Gertrude McFuzz so well that you expect to find her being just as quirky at her local mall, complete with Doc Martin boots and long, pink socks. The over-the-top Mayzie was played excellently by Carmen Tromp, proving that she is a talent when it comes to children’s theatre.
Seussical Jr is a laugh-a-minute, interactive experience that does not disappoint from the minute the curtains open, right until the end. Humour, music and other people’s experiences are used as powerful tools to get vitally important messages across.
Event information about Seussical The Musical Jr:
Venue: People’s Theatre, Johannesburg
Monday to Friday, 9am and 11am
Saturdays, some Sundays and public holidays, 10:30am and 2:30pm
Tickets are R135 at Webtickets. This show runs until December 24.
