Madagascar A Walk On The Wild Side

As we took our seats for the show, there was a buzz of excitement from the audience, which seemed to range from 5 years old to 85, all looking forward to one of their favourite cartoons being performed live. What they witnessed was an ultra-high-energy production that is as technicolour bright as the original 2005 cartoon film, full of wonderful tongue-in-cheek over-the-top performances, precision puppetry, and a wonderfully simple yet dazzling set.

Those familiar with the film will know the story of Alex the lion, king of the urban jungle, who is the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. Along with his best friends—Marty the inquisitive zebra, Melman the hypochondriac giraffe, and Gloria the hip-hop hippo—they have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity at the zoo before an admiring public, with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape—with the help of some prodigious penguins—to explore the wide world outside the walls of their zoo. Caught wandering around the city, they are put onboard a ship to be rewilded in Kenya. Sailing to a new life, the penguins take over the ship, and the four friends wash up on the island of Madagascar, where they run into and help King Julien, king of the lemurs. 

The star of this production is CBBC television presenter, theatre performer, and finalist of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 Karim Zeroual. He appears here as the loud, brash King Julien, king of the lemurs, a real audience favourite who is played just on the right side of the creen. He is joined on stage by the talented quartet of friendly animals: Joseph Hewlett (Alex), Francisco Gomes (Marty), Joshua Oakes-Rogers (Melman), and Jarneia Richard-Noel (Gloria), each portraying their character perfectly. Supported by a small but perfectly formed ensemble who each cover various parts as well as breathing life into various puppets. Laura Marie Benson, James Hilton-Foster, Ella Howlett, Connor Keetley, Brogan McFarlane, Gabriel Hinchcliffe, and Aidan Harkins

Creatives include direction by award-winning Kirk Jameson, choreography by Fabian Aloise, musical supervision by Mark Crossland, puppet design by Max Humphries, and puppet direction by Emma Brunton. 

First hitting the stage in 2011, I was surprised it had taken me so long to catch this heartwarming show about real friendship, and at just 2 hours long, what a wonderful taster for the magic of theatre and the perfect entertainment for children of any age. My granddaughter and I were both in fits of laughter at the cartoonish antics, and there were even one or two adult jokes that passed over the heads of the children. At times, the stage seemed so full that I forgot it was such a small cast. There is also a chance in the finale for audience participation, and let’s face it, who doesn’t like the opportunity to ‘Move It’?