Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Production Photos ©

Dr Seuss is loved in our household, Wacky Wednesday is a personal favourite, and some of the wonderful Seuss characters and quotes even found their way into the decorations at my wedding reception. So you can imagine my excitement to hear that the Broadway hit Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical  was coming to The Alexandra and just in time for Christmas!

The show is well known for breaking box office records on Broadway and becoming a much loved musical to audiences across America and this is the first time that the production has been on stage in the UK. This 2019 production is based on the show originally created by 3-time Tony Award winning director, Jack O’Brien. Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason and Music by Mel Marvin. The musical features songs such as You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch and Welcome Christmas. Narrated by old Max the Dog, we are told the popular story of the mean and scheming Mr Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, as he decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos.

We have to talk about the creatives behind this production. The set design by The UK creative team features Matt August as Director, Set Design by John Lee Beatty, Lighting Design by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Costume Design by Robert Morgan and Richard John is Musical Director. The designs were extraordinary and everything that you would come to expect with the works of Dr Seuss. The characters and eccentric world of Dr Seuss leapt off the pages of the book that we love and into the auditorium of the Alex theatre. From the over the top hairdos and costumes to the carefully crafted props, the world of Dr Seuss came to life in this production.

The role of the ultimate cute Whoville child, Cindy Lou, was played by Isla Gie in this particular show. Gie lit up the auditorium with her natural stage presence and beautiful charm. She didn’t just melt the Grinch’s heart but she melted the hearts of the Birmingham audience with one of the biggest cheers of the night for her performance of Santa for a Day. The Grinch’s trusty dog companion, Young Max, was played by the soothing vocalist and energetic Matt Terry. Terry had the children giggling as he pounced around the stage as young Max.

The green mean scheming machine, Mr Grinch, was played by the extremely talented Edward Baker-Duly. Baker-Duly was magnificent in this role, which almost seemed tailored to him, with his impressive operatic vocals and confident stage presence. The auditorium was full to the brim with laughter from children and adults alike and proved that this production had found the perfect Mr Grinch.

Highlights included the wonderful performance by Steve Fortune as Old Max as he narrated the popular story with energy and charisma. I absolutely adored Fortune’s performance of You’re a mean one Mr Grinch which captured the entire audience with his fabulous vocals. The Whoville cast were outstanding and the harmonies that they created left a lasting impression. This wasn’t a company that you would forget as you left the theatre.

We had an amazing time drenched in the magical atmosphere of this festive production. I say drenched as we got drenched with the snow machine during a Whoville number which is something we won’t forget in a hurry. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is the Christmas show that you cannot miss. With its bright costumes and phenomenal set designs, it breathes joy, life and holiday spirit which could brighten the darkest of days and gloomiest of nights. This is the ultimate festive outing to get you in the mood for the holiday season and would turn any Bah Humbug into a festive cheer.

DT

Theatretastic rating 5/5:

We say: “This production made me buy a one way ticket to Whoville and I don’t plan to return! A festive triumph!”