Reviewed by The Magic Hatter
If you’re just lion around this half-term, you could check out the mane event at York Theatre Royal – Madagascar the Musical. But is it roarsome, and worth the lion’s share of your family time? (Did you spot those subtle puns?)
Based on the 2005 DreamWorks animated film, the story has been adapted for the stage and is currently touring the UK. We were welcomed to the jungle on opening night, and here’s what we thought…
It’s a Jungle Out There
In a show that takes several days to install at each venue, it’s clear that this is a large-scale production for the Selladoor Family team. Audiences are transported to the Central Park Zoo, city docks, subway, a ship and the jungles of Madagscar through theatrical magic and inventive staging. Crates surround the stage, and open up revealing characters and scenery throughout. A slick lighting design, moving set-pieces, foliage and flora all help transform the space.
Animal Magic
Clever and creative puppetry brings all manner of jungle animals (oh, and penguins!) to life. Melman the towering giraffe is particularly impressive, with an elongated neck reaching new heights (sorry!) in puppet design. I’m reminded of shows such as The Lion King and Avenue Q (not for children!) where I quickly look past the puppeteers and voice actors, focusing on the expressive well-animated characters as if they were real. Whether manipulating a monkey or p-p-picking up a penguin, the action is tight and polished.
But of course, it’s the human counterparts that add the real jungle juice. King Julien, played by Jo Parsons, excels with his comic timing and steals the show in the second act, milking every nuance of the film favourite. An ingenious costume design sees the lord of the lemurs waddle around the stage, pulling off some absurd tricks and physical comedy gags.
Elsewhere, Antoine Murray-Straughan’s zebra Marty is effortlessly cool and clearly enjoys the horseplay. Timmika Ramsay’s hippo Gloria belts out songs with gusto, and is feisty and fun. Jamie Lee-Morgan cowers and quivers as neurotic giraffe Melman, and the audience can’t help but feel for the timid tree-chomper.
2016 X-Factor winner Matt Terry plays Alex the Lion, the king of the jungle with a taste for steak! He should take ‘pride’ in his performance, with a strong singing voice and likeability to match. A firm favourite with our littlest cub!
Many of the performers play multiple roles seamlessly, and the cast has great chemistry on stage. This is an ensemble performance, with all creatures great and small pulling together.
Jungle Boogie
For a musical adaptation, the show is unfortunately lacking in truly memorable songs. The numbers were all performed with high energy and dazzling choreography, but rarely stayed with me after curtain down. Best Friends I can just about remember, but the others faded quickly. The exception is of course I Like to Move, Move it – which features not once but twice, and has much of the audience up on their feet bustin’ some crack-a-lackin’ moves!
At 40 minutes either side of an interval, the show is shorter than many musicals but generally holds the attention of young audience members. With tickets up to £40 each though, this is more expensive than pantomimes and similar shows lasting several hours.
We attended with two sons, aged 5 and 2, and both were captivated by the animal antics. Our 2-year-old in particular excitedly leapt from his seat and belly-laughed often! And the toilet humour, fart jokes and slapstick ticked many boxes for our eldest.
Turning an animated animal tail (sorry, tale!) into a fully-fledged musical stage show is no small feat, but the creative team behind Madagascar the Musical have created a fun and funky production that fans of the film will love.
Tickets are selling fast so if you want to go you’d better…yes, that’s right…move it, move it!
MAGIC RATING 
VALUE FOR MONEY 
OVERALL 
Madagascar The Musical runs until Saturday 2nd March at York Theatre Royal. Tickets from £25.50 with family tickets available, book online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Disclaimer: Tickets were provided for the press evening of this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
Review Wizard 