Reviewed by Amanda Hayes
After making up a picnic and a quick change out of school clothes we headed off to the amphitheatre at The Hawth in Crawley for the production of Doctor Dolittle. The production was being performed by Illyria, a touring theatre who did an amazing performance of the Emperor’s New Clothes last year, so we couldn’t wait to get there.
The performance follows the story of Hugh Lofting’s series of Doctor Dolittle books written way back in the 1920’s. With the books being adapted into films across the year’s most adults and children are familiar with the man that can talk to the animals. Doctor Dolittle starts his career as a human doctor but gets disillusioned by his patients and after accumulating a growing number of animals he realises that he likes them more than people. When his sister starts demanding that he chooses between her and the animals, Polynesia, his parrot starts speaking to him and suggests he should be an animal doctor not a human one. Doctor Dolittle keeps the animals, his sister leaves and his journey as a vet begins.
The strong characters in Illyria’s performance really bring this show to life and the animals are brilliant, my 5-year-old especially loved the dog! There are so many different animals in this production from rats to sharks, it’s amazing. The production is a musical and is all sung in the most incredible rhyming, it must have taken so long to write. Filled with humour Illyria’s production of Doctor Doolittle will appeal to all ages and the audience was completely diverse with several large family groups. With plenty of jokes for adults and children everyone was thoroughly entertained. There is a strong moral to the story too with the Dr saving animals from being mistreated.
We have had the pleasure of watching a performance in the amphitheatre before and it adds a wonderful backdrop to a show. In a wooded clearing the stepped area means everyone has a perfect view of the stage and the actors can move around the audience should they desire. I really recommend watching a performance here, don’t forget to bring chairs, blanket and a picnic and settle in for an entertaining couple of hours that feels a million miles away from the standard theatre experience.
I highly recommend Illyria’s version of Doctor Dolittle whether you are looking for an evening out for a family, a couple or a group of friends you will have a brilliant time, there is no greater accolade than my son stating “It was great mum, can we go again next time”!
Rating: 5/5
Illyria is currently touring the UK with Doctor Dolittle, for more information and tour dates visit www.illyria.co.uk.
For other shows at The Hawth in Crawley visit hawth.co.uk or call the box office on 01293 553636.
The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Sussex, RH10 6YZ | 01293 553636
