Marc Pickering’s mischievous Cat in the Hat will lead the line-up of fantastical characters taking over the Southwark Playhouse in a major new production of Seussical The Musical this Christmas season.
One of the stars of the popular HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire, Pickering who previously appeared in the Southwark Playhouse’s The Toxic Avenger will be joined by Scott Paige (Eugenius, The Other Palace) as Horton the warm-hearted Elephant, and Amy Perry (Bananaman, Southwark Playhouse) as the humble Gertrude McFuzz.
They will be joined by Katie Paine (We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre) as the vivacious Mayzie La Bird alongside Ngozi Ugoh (The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) who will play Sour Kangaroo and Anna Barnes (Cats, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre) who plays Jojo, a ‘thinker’ with a wild imagination.
The cast is completed by Daisy Steere (42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Adam Dawson (Spring Awakening, Hope Mill Theatre), Robbie Fell (Song, Pulse Films/BT), Rhys Benjamin (Bring It On, Pleasance Theatre), Marianna Neofitou (Grease, Leicester Curve) and Sarah Spence (9 to 5 The Musical, Performance Preparation Academy).
Presented by the inventive Immersion Theatre, the larger-than-life creations of Dr Seuss will be brought to life in a production which will run from 22 November until 29 December 2018, with a press night on 27 November.
Commenting on the cast, the show’s director, Immersion’s James Tobias, said: “Finding a cast who are able to bring these fantastical, over the top characters to life whilst retaining their truth, heart and integrity is, in my opinion, one of the
key ingredients to the success of a show like this.
“I could not be more thrilled with the company we have assembled and feel immensely privileged and excited to be working with such exceptional talent, on stage and off, to create an unforgettable experience for audiences of all
ages this Christmas.”
With choreography by 2018 Off West End Award winner Chris Whittaker, the production’s creative team includes set designers Justin Williams and Jonny Rust, sound designer Nico Menghini and casting director Harry Blumenau.
Co-conceived by Monty Python favourite Eric Idle, who played the colourful Cat in the Hat in an early read-through of the show in the late 1990s, the feel-good, family-friendly musical was written by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Anastasia).
Featuring a host of much-loved characters, the musical version of Dr Seuss’ enduringly popular work takes its audience on a magical journey from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkas and the tiny planet of Whoville.
The show originally opened on Broadway in November 2000 and made its London debut at the Arts Theatre in December 2012.
Angela Thomas
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