Guest Reviewer – Suzanne Hawkes
My grandson has only just introduced me to Moana – a brilliant Disney cartoon about a Southsea island people whose home is threatened by an angry monster, a feisty princess who is driven to seek adventure and a quirky demi god who is both the cause of all the trouble and the answer to it.
But with seaborne adventures, underwater sequences and various transformations to contend with I was fascinated to find out how Co-Op juniors were going to put this all on stage.
But put it all on they did – and what a triumph. In a delightful production full of humour and pathos a young cast of over thirty sang and danced their way through the story, ably directed by Thomas Haigh with choreographers Ellena & Harriett Bacon.
Sensibly using minimal set blocks which transformed into island platforms, seascapes and boats to give changes of levels, there were also well created projections at the back showing us where we were in the story and providing some of the visual effects.
The costumes were excellent – especially those of the ancestors, and the dancers who formed the living ocean.
But it was the performers who made it happen – and credit must go to the three leads – Adriana Bussandri Morais as the determined Moana, Summer Cullingford as tricksey Maui and Matilda Borrett as a very sympathetic Gramma Tala.
The songs in this production are quite challenging – but the cast were well drilled by Musical Director Nigel Virley and did not disappoint. Especially memorable were ‘Your Welcome’ and ‘Shiny’ – a brilliant rendition by Leo Bensusan as Tamatoa the crab – and his entourage .
Congratulations to everyone involved. It was a pity that the show was only on one day after all that hard work, and I would urge you to go and see anything else Co-Op Juniors do in the future. They are amazing.
Co-Op Juniors will be performing again very soon with their production of Rent – Schools Edition at the New Wolsey Theatre – 2nd – 5th July
Visit the New Wolsey Theatre Website for more details and to book.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 