REVIEW | The Lorax, The Old Vic (Online)

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

The Lorax

The Old Vic

★★★★★

The Old Vic have provided a treat with its fifth of the theatre’s productions to be streamed live from an empty theatre. David Greig’s 2015 adaptation of Dr Seuss’s The Lorax has been revived for the digital stage for four nights, but it certainly deserves a longer period to be adored by many more audiences. The fable based on a 1971 children’s book portrays the dangers of unfettered capitalism and destruction of nature, of which seems poignant in the importance of doing our bit for the planet.

The result of this filmed production is joyous and perfectly curated for the audience through frames that tell the action in circles and bubbles. There is some loss in the “bigger” picture of the stage but this filmed show plays with different technical elements that support the storytelling of Seuss’s whimsy and complex rhyming schemes. The foundations of the story are expanded and sprinkled with modern, topical references and a upbeat selection of songs, courtesy of former Noah and the Whale front man, Charlie Fink.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

The production moves at a comfortable speed and in just under two hours you are transfixed by the way in which The Old Vic has brought this story to life on the stage, even with Covid measures intact. The control of the narrative is superb and enables younger audiences to understand Seuss’s story well. The detail from Rob Howell’s vivid design enables the terrible effects of The Once-ler’s actions to come to life right in front of our eyes. The circular viewpoints allow multiple images to come to the forefront at the same time. There are moments throughout when that is taken away and we can enjoy a vast screen place, ideal for moments like Drew McOnie’s choreography which needs this platform to provide its full affect.

The cast are sublime in this production, each delivering the quirky and uniqueness of Seuss’s storytelling. The Lorax, who is controlled by 3 puppeteers (Audrey Brisson, David Ricardo-Pearce and Ben Thompson) who have each enabled this poignant character come to life; oozing emotion and character that draws you right in.

Collectively the entire small cast do a fantastic job at bringing this story to life when it has been so stripped back for this streamed production. It’s one production I would definitely like to see in the flesh someday. The Lorax is one of the pieces of theatre that will give me the biggest impacts over the course of this year, as well as easily reminding us of the fragility of our planet and its importance to our future generations.

A superb job from The Old Vic!

You can keep up to date with the latest news and performances from The Old Vic by visiting their website here.