MADAGASCAR The MUSICAL - Canberra Theatre

 

The cast of "Madagascar the Musical"

Book by Kevin Del Aguila – Music & Lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someilann

Produced by Layton Lillas & Brad Thomson – Directed by Nick Wilkinson

Musical Direction by Nick Braae – Choreography by Sonja McGirr-Garrett

Costume Design by Tina Hutchinson-Thomas – Lighting Design by Sam Moxham

Puppet Design by Martin Jago & Jon Coddington  

Canberra Theatre April 22^nd & 23^rd, 2025 – Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS

Based on the DreamWorks animated film series, “Madagascar the Musical” follows the adventures of Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, and Marty the zebra, who, bored with life in the New York Central Park Zoo, decide to escape and explore the world beyond.

After outwitting the zookeepers and assisted by a quartet of penguins they achieve their goal but bewildered by the big city eventually find themselves shipwrecked in Madagascar, where King Julien befriends them.  

Performed by a cast of thirteen actors, some of whom portrayed up to five different characters, both animal and human, the storyline may have been difficult to understand for those not acquainted with the source material.

Although the young audience enjoyed recognising familiar characters, engaging with the songs and dances, and admiring the vibrant scenery and lighting, despite the lack of detail, more focus on characterisation could have made the production more memorable for the intended audience.

It was often difficult to identify the animals because the actors relied heavily on their costumes, without mimicking the animals' movements or behaviours.

Lochlan Erard as Alex the Lion in "Madagascar the Musical". 

Locklan Erard offered an engagingly athletic interpretation of Alex the Lion, even if his exuberant movements were more suggestive of a monkey than a lion. Jessica Ruck Nu’u charmed as Gloria the hippo, although her costume bore scant resemblance to a hippopotamus.

Despite having to walk on his knees to portray King Julien, Matt Henderson’s costume offered few clues as to King Julien’s species, although Samoan actor, Iosia Tofilau’s white and black striped costume guaranteed that there was no mistaking that he was playing the zebra, Marty.

 Jeremy Hinman was most successful in creating a memorable character by embracing the opportunities offered by his towering, part-puppet costume to portray the lovable Giraffe, Melman.

Iosia Tofilau (Marty the Zebra) - Jeremy Hinman (Melman the Giraffe) - Lochlan Erard (Alex the Lion) - Jessica Ruck N'u (Gloria the Hippo) plus the Zookeepers in "Madagascar the Musical"

Excellent settings, engaged ensemble performances, catchy soundtrack and choreography combine to make this production excellent school holiday entertainment.