We might be in the minority but we haven’t read any Dr Seuss books yet. I didn’t have them read to me as a child so I guess they just weren’t really on my radar. Not really knowing any of the stories or much about them didn’t deter me from accepting a theatre invite of course, we’re simply bonkers about theatre and would go and see anything if invited!
The Cat In The Hat, one of the most famous (I’ve heard of it for sure) was the order of the day and adapted by Katie Mitchell has been made stage ready in all kind of wonderous ways!
Six actors, a lot of rhyme, a tremendous amount of clever wizardry with theatre skills and some fantastic music make up the spectacle and feast for the eyes which we had the pleasure to see today!
From the off Florence and her friend Zhane were giggling along and thoroughly seemed immersed in what was playing out on the stage!
The fish in the fish bowl provided the first lot of audience participation as the actor providing him with movement and voice brought him and his bubbles into the audience. Jimmy thought this was wonderful and clapped heartily along!
And then the cat, the cat in the hat came along and the girls were almost rolling around on the floor!
Mess, calamity, a smidgen of naughtiness wrapped up with love and the story makes perfect sense to a four year old who would just adore to get her house in such a state should her Mummy and Daddy ever go out and leave them for a rainy afternoon to get up to high jinx! (NOT that this would ever happen but this is fantasy right!)
The children loved it and I did too it has to be said! I do love a minimal approach to props which this had favouring 2D drawings from the book for most of the backdrop and clever unity with actors is another thing I always find myself amazed at when done well like this!
Thing One and Thing Two played by Jill Reagan and Andrew Beckett stole the show for me and were the characters the girls talked about on the way home!
40 minutes of pure fun, not a child with eyes pointed anywhere but the stage and plenty of happy looking parents! Children’s theatre doesn’t get much more enticing than that now does it!
The Cat In The Hat is on at the Greenwich Theatre from now until 23rd February.
The Cat in his hat providing some wonderful entertainment!
I was given complimentary tickets for the purpose of an honest review.
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