Judith Kerr’s The forgetful Cat takes to the stage for the first time ever in this brilliantly entertaining and funny adaptation of the beloved Mog books. The bestselling Mog stories are a part of many childhoods and have waited 50 years to be brought to life on stage.We were invited to see Mog The Forgetful Cat adapted for the stage by the The Wardrobe Ensemble at The Old Vic and it was worth the wait!
Sixty minutes full of dancing, singing and meowing this production is as entertaining for the adults as it is the kids.
Let’s start with the set – It’s clever, simple and effective. A kind of open wooden doll house with a moon, sky, trees and neighbourly houses. I was impressed as soon as I saw it. Sometimes with children’s theatre the set design is a bit sparse and simplistic. As soon as you see the set you realise you’re about to see a professional production.
Mr Bunce played by Tom England, opens with his funny cat motif jumper and enthusiastic voice. It’s a bit panto and over the top. At first I was worried the show was going to carry on in this way. Luckily it was just to get the kids involved and engaged before the real performance began. England carries the show well from then on.
The show starts, much like the book, introducing us to the Thomas family. The set lights up and the Thomas’s walk on in lovely bright cotsumes. It is a warm and familiar tale of family life. Mr Thomas played by Ben Vardy stole the show with his witty one liners and hilarious song about his favourite chair. Mrs Thomas played by Kerry Lovell has a very funny number about her drive to the V.E.T or Veee, eeee, teee. Nicki and Debbie played by Jesse Meadows and Maria Goodman have exactly the right energy and innocence of the two kids.
Mog played by Georgina Goodchild was our lovable hero with wonderful facial expressions and fluid feline movements with the help of movement director Catriona Giles. The costume was not quite as I’d expected. They have decided to go against an exact replica of Mog but still, it’s a cat nevertheless. Goodchild manages to express the thoughts and feelings of Mog very well considering she only meows throughout the entire show. A great debut performance.
The pace of the show is perfect. Not too fast so the kids can easily follow but not to slow to bore them. No shouting and over the top acting either which I see a lot of in children’s theatre. A really nice tone and performance level.
It’s a clever, well thought out show. I walked away chatting with other adults around us about how good it was. The kids loved it too and were mesmerised from start to finish. It was surprisingly quiet throughout the auditorium until the very end of the hour when concentration was waning.
If you’re heading to Edinburgh for the fringe make sure you go and see it. It’s essential viewing for any little’uns.
Next Performance dates: Edinburgh Fringe, Underbelly – Bistro Square, McEwan Hall – Aug 3-15, 17-20, 24-27.