Book: Kevin Del Aguila
Music and Lyrics: George Noriega and Joel Someillan
Director: Kirk Jameson
Madagascar the Musical has burst onto the stage at Royal and Derngate in a spectacular display of colour and
excitement.Drawing its inspiration from the beloved 2005 Dreamworks animation, the show is a true buffet of theatrical wizardry. The story revolves around Marty, a zebra with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, and his companions: Alex, a lion reigning over the New York Zoo; Gloria, a lively hippo; and Melman, a neurotic giraffe. After a birthday wish a catalogue of errors ensues and the animals find themselves navigating the bustling streets of New York before getting captured and then moved to a sanctuary in Africa. However, the cunning penguins of the New York Zoo have other ideas and end up crashing the boat into the lush paradise of Madagascar.
Designer Tom Rogers has done a stellar job of taking the key elements of the movie, in particular, its angular animation style and applying it to the set and costumes within this show. Coupled with the exquisite puppetry design of Max Humphries, Madagascar encapsulates all of the magic of the movie.
The set features a dynamic structure of stacked wooden shipping crates that open and slide to unveil the puppet characters, provoking an exhilarated response from the young audience. A standout moment in the production is when the main characters find themselves in their shipping containers, a visually stunning sequence that seamlessly integrates Rogers’ practical set design with Howard Hudson’s understated yet effective lighting design.
The formidable quartet, comprised of Alex (Joseph Hewlett), Gloria (Jarneia Richard-Noel), Marty (Francisco Gomes), and Melman (Joshua Oakes-Rogers), truly embrace their roles, clad in gorgeously authentic padded jumpsuits fashioned by Tom Rogers. The four of them are an electrifying team, each showcasing a remarkable vocal range, flawless dance skills, and impeccable comedic timing.
Oakes-Rogers excels in portraying the physical comedy of Melman with his anxious demeanour and effortless movement in his elaborate costume, complete with a full puppet rig strapped to his shoulders. The children are in fits of laughter from the moment he is wheeled on stage with his vet cone. Richard-Noel exudes a delightful sassiness that captivates the audience, and she maintains an infectious energy despite wearing a heavy costume. Her no-nonsense approach plays beautifully against the arrogance of Hewlett and the flailing of Oakes-Rogers bringing the whole story together. Hewlett and Gomes are an outstanding duo, stealing the spotlight in every scene as they prance and prowl around the stage. Gomes has the most physical track as he portrays Marty’s unrelenting inquisitiveness in his search for adventure. He is in constant motion, whether that is on a zebra print treadmill or doing the high-impact jumps within the musical numbers, Gomes’ sassy portrayal is working that stage. Hewlett by contrast is more controlled in his delivery. His carefully flexed and placed movement is almost balletic. Hewlett portrays Alex in a careful and considered way, masterfully reflecting Alex’s carefully crafted persona as ‘King of New York Zoo’. As a character, Alex is very self-aware, and Hewlett has lovingly cultivated that into his physicality onstage. Not a paw is set out of place.
The true experts in the room, the children, roar with laughter and wholeheartedly applaud, especially during the moment when Alex bites Marty on the backside and pretends to count his stripes. The delightful sound of children’s laughter and cheering echoes throughout this production but never so loudly as whenKing Julien (Karim Zeroual) bursts onto the stage on his knees and delivers a high-energy performance of I Like To Move It Move It accompanied by the talented ensemble cast. This moment is like a carnival with the cast delivering one of Fabian Aloise’s incredible high-impact routines and the audience throwing just as much energy back towards the stage. The cast of twelve has impressive versatility, seamlessly transitioning between multiple characters and handling intricate puppetry, all while coinciding with swift set changes. Kirk Jameson has masterfully directed and presented a polished show that creates the perfect family-friendly atmosphere.
Madagascar The Musical is an exhilarating and entertaining experience, combining the playful art of puppetry, infectious humour, and breathtaking visual design. The performance leaves the audience howling with laughter, with many rising from their seats to join the lively dance finale The show is bonkers and it knows it! The perfect way to start the summer holidays.
Runs until 21 July 2024 and on tour
The Reviews Hub Score
A perfect show for the summer holidays!
