- Age
- 5+
- Running Time
- 1hr 45mins
Overall Score
Rating Overview
Rating Summary
From Screen to Stage: Madagascar Roars into Plymouth and embarks upon it’s new UK Tour!
Madagascar the Musical is back and roaring right into centre stage. Matineé Dog were delighted when we were invited by Theatre Royal Plymouth (who co-produced this wonderful, colourful production of Madagascar: The Musical) to attend and review this new production that is set to wow families up and down the country until at least August 2024!
The Jungle Escape
“Join Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria on a Hilarious Escape”
A cute monkey opened the show with the usual “Switch your phones off, but threatened the audience with throwing poop at them if they were caught” the kids roared with laughter and we knew from that moment that this show was going to be magical for the youngsters all around! A somewhat excessive overture started the show (noting there was no live band).
The plot begins in New York City where the animals are captive at Central Park Zoo with Marty played by the zesty Francisco Gomes dreaming of life in the “Wild” captures your heart from the start. Alex the Lion played by the wonderful Joseph Hewlett who has velvet tones and fantastic moves (just like a Cat! if you know you know). Melman who is played by the talented Joshua Oakes-Rogers captures the role in a magical way that will have you smiling throughout the show. Jarneia Richard-Noel brings a whole new life to Gloria the Hippo with moves to get you all tapping your feet along.
This show really is “UTTERLY DELIGHTFUL, and FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY“.
A Journey to Madagascar
The second act once again opens with a lengthy entr’acte which to us feels out of place in a musical that has no live band/orchestra. The set is lavish, colourful and is a delight for the eyes every inch of the stage is filled with colour and light. The fourth wall is broken by the lighting that sweeps across the audience many times along with puppets that interact with the audience at multiple times throughout the show.
Karim Zeroual brings King Julien to life with such magic, from the moment he shuffles onto the stage to the moment he takes his bow he captivates you. “Move It, Move It” one of the most memorable moments from the DreamWorks movie is no let down, it swings into action with comedy and colour!
The choreography was impressive with puppets and actors in perfect unison throughout the show, you would struggle to see such perfect timing in some west end productions especially adding the weight and compexity of some of the costumes. There were times when microphones were not in sync which made it difficult at times to hear the words but this certainly did not make the show any less magical. The songs were fun, though not overly memorable. All I can hear whilst I type this review is “Move it, Move it” leaving most of the other musical numbers however impressive a little lack lustre.
Technical Brilliance
“Spectacular Staging and Puppetry”
The staging, set and puppetry were top class, you can clearly see the effort that has gone into this new production and the puppets especially were incredible! Costume, lighting, special effects and the choreography bring this show smack bang into 2023! A show for all ages, family friendly and the most magical moments were seeing the kids in the audience roaring with laughter with the occasional adult joke going straight over their heads made it all the more impressive, a show that really is for ALL! The show also has a really wonderful message at its heart “TRUE FRIENDSHIP” shines through for all and makes you think of those who are close.
A Roaring Success! Madagascar the Musical Thrills Plymouth
Overall, the show really was a roaring success (pardon the pun), now get me that steak! It’s fun, colour, joy and magic really shines through! Good luck to the cast and crew for the rest of the tour and we hope to see you again soon!
Get Ready to Move It, Move It! Experience the magic of Madagascar: The Musical yourself and book your tickets now, in Plymouth until Saturday 28 October 202! and then embarking upon its UK Tour coming to a theatre near you soon, check out the tour schedule here.
