The Old Vic will celebrate Earth Day next month with six live-streamed performances of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.
Part of the popular Old Vic: In Camera initiative launched last year as a means of bringing live performances back to the prestigious venue, the production will feature Hamilton’s Jamael Westman as the Once-ler with Audrey Brisson (Amelie The Musical) joining two members of the cast of the 2017 production of the show, David Ricardo-Pearce and Ben Thompson as The Lorax. The cast will also include Chanelle Anthony, Aretha Ayeh, Richard Katz, Melanie La Barrie and Silas Wyatt-Barke.
Adapted for the stage by award winning playwright David Greig with music and lyrics by former Noah and the Whale frontman Charlie Fink and designs by multi-Olivier Award winning Rob Howell, the live-streaming of director Max Webster’s Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the much-loved book.
Announcing the latest In Camera production, The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus said: ‘We first presented our hugely popular production of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax back in 2015 and I still regard David Greig’s dazzling adaptation as one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
“It’s a hugely entertaining and urgently relevant parable about how all of us, adult and child alike, can play our part in saving the planet. We are aiming to bring that full production back to The Old Vic but in the meantime, this stripped-back version for our fundraising Old Vic: In Camera series is a timely way of sharing this perfect tale of a global catastrophe followed by joyous renewal and rebirth.”
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax will be live-streamed for six performances from 14–17 April 2021 with tickets priced from £10-£40. A limited number will be available at each price band and whilst all ‘seats’ offer the same view (from the comfort of your own home), The Old Vic is asking audiences to choose the ticket price they can afford in return for access. Those planning to watch together on the same device only need to book a single ticket and every performance will be audio described and captioned and available to stream live from anywhere in the world.
Schools across the globe will be able to watch the In Camera: Playback performances free of charge on Earth Day, 22 April. The playback performances will be available at 9.30am, 1pm and 7pm (BST) via Zoom. Capacities will be limited and allocated to eligible schools on a first come, first served basis. Schools will be able to book in advance from 29 March.
Commenting on the inclusion of The Lorax in the Old Vic’s On Camera programme, the president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises said: “We are honoured that The Old Vic is bringing Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax back to the stage for fans around the world, including thousands of students who will have access to the production this Earth Day for free. It’s perfect that so many people will be able to watch this beautiful production as The Lorax marks its 50th anniversary.”
The Old Vic: In Camera series of live-streamed lockdown theatre was launched in June last year and continues to be made possible with the support of The Old Vic’s principal partner Royal Bank of Canada and previews partner PwC.
Angela Thomas
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