‘I Like to Move it Move it!!…’ Madagascar the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley 25.09.2018.
My first ever viewing was that of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, which led to a love for everything theatre! Tonight’s viewing I am sure, has led to many youths felt the same!
Madagascar the Musical has currently been stalking in the theatres in its first UK tour, based on the 2005 DreamWorks animated film of the same name it tells the story of 4 zoo animals, Marty the Zebra who dreams of the open wild, Alex the Lion – the King of New York City, Gloria the sassy Hippo and Melman the hypochondriac Giraffe! With Marty’s wish known by his friends they pursue a day in the wild and away from their enclosures, though all does not go to plan when they find themselves stranded on Madagascar with a little unwanted help of 4 pesky Penguins!
One things for sure is this a great family outing, from the very start the kids were loving what they were watching! With the vibrant set and some amazing puppetry its hard not to come away impressed with what you have seen. So many varieties of puppetry was used throughout the show designed by Matt Humphries, although the performers performed along some of them your eyes are constantly on the puppet! Along with the puppetry were the four many characters each performed by actors with some impressive designed skins that they dance with ease in, along with the performers was the role of King Julian who took the form of a lemur as an actor on his knees – if you have seen Shrek the Musical, it was very Lord Farquard. which was understandable being that this was created by the same people! Each of the characters were loveable in their own way, mainly due to the performers portraying them!
Cast:
Alex – Matt Terry
Marty – Antoine Murray-Straughan
Melman – Jaime Lee-Morgan
Gloria – Timmika Ramsay
King Julian – Jo Parsons
Ensemble (Penguins, Lemurs) – Shane McDaid, Matthew Pennington, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles, Victoria Boden.
Matt Terry the X Factor winner leads the cast as the loveable King of New York Alex the Lion, originally voice by Actor Ben Stiller, Matt brings Alex to life and along it a voice to roar about. His many songs portray his voice well, especially with some belts within some numbers. But not only can he sing, he can ‘Move it!’ even in the thick designed skin, His best friend Marty played by Antoine Murray-Straughan also does not trot out of time and I am sure many children did not know a zebra can dance just like he could! They really were a favourable pair that I’m sure all the kids loved.
Jaime Lee-Morgan takes on the health fanatic Melman, performing as half puppet upon his head and half man he was great within the role, his partnership with the ever so sassy Gloria played by Timmika Ramsay were great to watch. You could not deny that Jo Parsons won the hearts of the audience from the moment he stepped, or should I say kneeled onto the stage as King Julian, from the singing of the well known number of the show ‘Move it’, to the well known dance steps of the floss and dab and cracking one liners you could see he was in his element and thoroughly enjoying the role he was playing. 
Although this show may not be for all ages, it is perfect for families and children. Parents will enjoy the show but mainly enjoy their children’s eyes light up with the magic that is brought to life on stage. A fun show that is a perfect introduction to theatre to the youth and I highly recommend it!
Madagascar the Musical plays at the Churchill Theatre until Saturday 29th September, for all ticket information go here (take note that performance times start at 17:30 mid week for an 1 hour and 40 min performance inc. Interval). It will then continue on its UK tour until June 2019, for all dates go here.
