Animated characters of Madagascar: The Musical filled Dunedin’s Regent Theatre stage with colour and skilful movement yesterday afternoon, as characters performed in a high-energy show, acting out their adventures with fast-moving dance routines, laughter and great rapport with the many younger patrons in the audience.
The international production (Showcase Entertainment Group Ltd) produced by Layton Lillas and Brad Thomson had no local input, and attracted a sell-out audience at the 2pm performance and was heavily booked for 5pm. So many children recognised and related to the characters, and I noticed avid attention from most throughout the 70-minute show.
This was a musical I knew only by name, but with Max, my young co-reviewer, I easily followed the plot with its upbeat tunes and humorous commentary, and was really entertained by the characters, a group of animals who left their New York Central Park Zoo home to end up in the wilds of Madagascar.
The cast of 12 included Alex the Lion (George Hiku), Marty the Zebra (Iosia Tofilau), Melman the Giraffe (Joshy Reinhold) and Gloria the Hippo (Jessica Ruck Nu’u) plus a group of mischievous penguins who create confusion and humorous diversions.
Innovative choreography, ingenious puppetry with non-stop attention to detail, plus excellent vocals and harmony throughout were paramount in bringing credibility to the characters.
A backdrop of New York was replaced by a jungle view and the animals being transported in cages was a very believable scene. There was no sign of the Foosa and the characters all reached Madagascar safely.
Many short songs advanced the plot — such as We’re Going Back Where We Belong, Birthday Song and King of Madagascar.
The final scene with I Like To Move It brought many happy young patrons to their feet to join in.
An excellent programme contained photos, word-finder and pages to colour in — certainly a childhood souvenir and memory to cherish.
Review by Elizabeth Bouman
