Madagascar The Musical at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend Review

Reviewed by Claire Turner

The 6 weeks school holidays are drawing to an end and we had one last treat for my 6-year-old son – a night at the theatre for his first ever musical!

Madagascar The Musical is currently at The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend and my son couldn’t have been more excited for a special night out with Mummy and Daddy.

We parked down on the seafront (free after 6pm) and we reached the top after climbing 99 steps! We collected our tickets and programme and decided to purchase a booster seat (50p from the kiosk – we had a long queue as everyone ahead of us was getting snacks and drinks), we then found our seats and we were ready!

Marty and the penguins opened the show and from that opening moment it was one giant party on the stage. The adaptation from film to musical was just brilliant.

The costumes and puppets were fantastic – our favourite was Melman the giraffe which incorporated Jamie Lee-Morgan dressed up in a costume with a long necked puppet head – so creative.

The cast were all amazing, Matt Terry (X Factor winner 2016) played Alex the Lion (my sons favourite character from the film and the show!) his singing was great and his dance moves not bad either! In fact, all the choreography was great – the ensemble with the penguins and the lemurs had a great stage presence and their voices together with the rest of the cast filled the theatre. Timmika Ramsay who played Gloria belted out her songs wonderfully.

When King Julien appeared on stage I don’t think my son stopped smiling and laughing – that type of uncontrollable ‘I can’t help but laugh’ laugh! He was engaged the whole time and sang along to the iconic song ‘I like to move it’.

The show was a great length (1 hour 45 minutes including the interval) and when we were leaving I asked my son how many stars he would give the show – his answer “infinity stars – I loved it!”

We would 100% recommend this show – with or without children you will have a very enjoyable evening.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £22.50 to £45 (booking fees may apply).

Madagascar The Musical is at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend from 3-8 September 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135.

Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA | 01702 351135