This AYT production was smooth, slick, energetic and engaging. Director Georgia Broomhill and MD Serena Martino-Williams have schooled their cast carefully in characterisation and singing, and choreographer Alana Shepherdson made the whole show move with sparkle and verve. The result: a quality performance showing a sound sense of theatre.
The cast for this performance, complementing Georgia Broomhill’s colourful set, was universally lively, convincing and true to its Dreamworks origins.
Nathan Stafford excelled in the role of King Julian. He combined strong acting with clear and confident singing and enlivened all his scenes with energetic physicality. Joshua Spiniello as Alex the lion and Ryan Vandermyle as Marty the zebra worked very well together and with the other cast members. Their song Best Friends was wonderfully lively and catchy while Marty’s heartfelt Wild and Free was very moving.
Other leads to impress were Zali Sedgman as Melman and Erin Sowerby as Gloria, while Allisa Tacono, Kate Neville, Kiara Linke and Alessia Charman played the quartet of independently minded penguins with attitude coupled with some lovely part singing.
As a whole the cast was unified and focused. They raised the roof with the big production numbers, especially I LikeTo Move It which had the attentive audience of children singing along and bopping, some out of their seats.
To keep such a demanding audience of youngsters concentrating and engaged in the action for the full hour is a glowing tribute to the efforts of the whole company.
