Cat in the Hat at St George’s Hall Bradford Review
Cat in the Hat
St George’s Hall, Bradford
6-8 May 2015
Reviewed By Sarah Woodhead
I was under the impression that this show was to be at St Geroge’s Hall in Bradford however it turned out to be at the more intimate venue of The Studio on a first come first seated basis. My twins dragged me right onto the 2nd and they sat with their cat in the hat t-shirts waiting to watch the performance.
I really liked the venue but it seemed a bit more like going to a school production than the theatre. There was no brochure, no merchandise, no details on the cast, just come in and sat down and wait for the show to start. The kids in the front were unaware of the book but knew the film as did the girls either side of me and the boys behind us. I think more adults knew the story books and more kids knew the film. It’s was nice to speak to the parents sat around us as some music played before the production began. My sons who are 3 know the book and the film and enjoy both. I think the story at their age is easier to follow than a full movie.
The young audience was from 3 to about 8 years old and their laughter was proof they were loving it. The cast did not resemble those that were on the poster.
The set is a replica to the illustration in the book and the familiar Dr Seuss fashion. I loved it. The only let down for me for the set was the dress of the mother stuck on the kite string, it didn’t look as the other props or the book illustration (no pink spots as stated in the book), It’s no biggie to the kids though just me. Then towards the end when cat returned we never saw the clean-up machine that he rides, just a grabbed hand.
The 5 man cast worked well and consisted of Sally and her brother who look as close to the book as adults dressed as kids could and it worked it looked so cool and they narrated mainly together.
The Cat did not have quite a long enough tale or wonky enough hat, but that’s a lifelong fan being picky.
Although not as zany as would have expected he sounded just right.
The limelight and excitement of the Cat’s first appearance was kind of taken away by the two cast member (who later became the Things) dressed as small versions of the Cat in The Hat who were hurrying about creating mess and moving the set as Sally and her brother played prior to the Cat’s first appearance. The two small cats really confused my children who know the book very well.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 had wobbly wigs, Thing 2 almost lost his and made a fast recovery the white logos on their costumes were pink. I guess they don’t wash well.
However their expressions and laughter was spot on and they were cheeky and will although I expected more acrobatics.
My favourite cast member was the puppeteer who played the fish, she had a fish hat on and painted eyes and a hand puppet of a fish that she fit onto a bowl or a pot.
She handled the role well as the adult voice while mother was away and got very involved in the story. The performance grasps the attention with all the crazy antics, the perfect timing and laughter, loud clear voices and sound effects and an awesome slow motion scene. It was well acted, perfectly put together and totally enjoyable from bubbles at the start to the crazy bike ride round the audience finishing with a load of crazy balloons and beach ball throwing all while Thing 1 and Thing 2 caused chaos.
This is definitely worth watching, the performance totally met my expectations and it was wonderful to see the pages and illustrations of a classic story book my children and I know so well and love come to life.
One not to miss.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost £13.50 (booking fees may apply).
Cat in the Hat is at St George’s Hall in Bradford until 8 May 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01274 432000.
St George’s Hall. Bridge St, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1JT | 01274 432000
