Laura Caldow, Ben Thompson and David Ricardo-Pearce (puppeteers) and Simon Paisley Day in Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at The Old Vic, London. Picture: Manuel Harlan
The Lorax continues at The Old Vic, London until 5 November.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Dr Seuss’s The Lorax could have been written yesterday, such is the currency of its subject matter. The environmental fable – actually written in 1971 in the early days of the global green movement – resonates today even more powerfully than it did over 40 years ago, amplified by the fact that we’re living through unprecedented climate change… change as predicted by the clairvoyant Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel).
Watching the return of the staged version by David Greig (book) and Charlie Fink (music and lyrics) at The Old Vic also gives the impression that the ink’s still dry on The Lorax’s endlessly imaginative rhymes.
Director Max Webster’s theatrical retelling is breathtakingly fresh and vital, and with its inventiveness, humour and beautiful production values, it’s a must-see show for the whole family.
The story recounts the life of The Once-ler (played with delight by Simon Paisley Day, returning to the role from the show’s first outing in 2016).
This gormless green dreamer, shunned by his family, wanders to a beautiful forest and chops down a multicoloured Truffula tree. This attracts the attention of The Lorax – a sprite-like creature that “speaks for the trees” – and despite the Lorax’s reproval, the two become friends.
Desperately trying to seek his fortune and impress his family, the Once-ler inadvertently knits his way to financial success by fashioning the fluffy tufts from the Truffula tree into a thneed – a multifunctional scarf/shawl/snood fashion accessory that becomes all the rage.
In satisfying demand, however, the Once-ler breaks his promise to the Lorax about not cutting down trees and – egged on by three lawyers-cum-Pointer Sisters (the excellent and showstopping Wendy Mae Brown, Kerri Norville and Ellena Vincent) – decimates the forest, wiping out the habitat of the Swomee Swans and Bar-ba-loots that live there.
The Lorax is, behind his walrus-like yellow woollen moustache, a bloated orange puppet designed by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes. He’s brought convincingly to life by Ben Thompson, Laura Caldow and David Ricardo-Pearce; the latter also provides the voice, which is rich and resonant and the perfect fit for the paunchy tree-watcher.
The Lorax is such a wonderfully compelling character that, despite the obvious puppetry, you fully accept him as a living, breathing member of the cast. With just a few simple gestures and carefully placed sighs, you get that he’s a despondent, crotchety but lovable lefty – it ain’t easy being green (or orange)…
The rest of the company fill in the other roles – most created by adaptor Greig from Seuss’s poem (which is also modernised with references to selfies, Twitter and the like). There’s not a weak link in the company, although giving a particularly well-received performance is Michael Ajao as Small Ed.
The ensemble also take to their instruments, providing the music throughout the show, ably supported by the off-stage Richard Coughlan (bass) and Joe Evans (drums).
Fink’s music, if unmemorable, is nicely pitched and spans a wide range of styles, keeping the audience engaged and amused. Each song works in the moment and benefits from the inventive arrangements by Phil Bateman.
For a kids’ show, they’re richly woven and intelligent tunes. At least they are when you can hear them: the sound balance could be better, and I struggled to catch many of the lyrics.
In any case, the music is upstaged by Rob Howell’s crazily inventive design, and Jon Clark’s lighting, which faithfully brings Dr Seuss’s iconic drawings to dazzling reality.
Yes, this is a kids’ show but it’s got plenty to amuse the adults – most of whom will have grown up with the original book. That such a colourful, vibrant show should silence a theatre-full of kids – laughter aside – is a testament to its timeless quality and powerful moral.
Four-year-old Fred, who sat through the two-hour 20-minute show enraptured, fully grasped the environmental message and left the Old Vic determined to plant an apple tree in the garden. There can be no better praise…
Craig Glenday
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