SELL-OUT crowds took their collective hat off to a memorable production as the works of Dr Seuss were transformed into a spectacular musical.
Close to 100 students, from years 7-11, took to the stage and worked behind it for a performance to remember at Barnard Castle School.
After a successful dress rehearsal before Barnard Castle Preparatory School pupils, the curtain rose on Seussical the Musical for a four-night extravaganza.
The 90-minute show took delighted audiences on a surreal journey of song and dance through the imagination of the celebrated children’s writer Dr Seuss, where the Cat in the Hat stood shoulder to shoulder with Horton the Elephant and the Grinch.
Show director and Head of Drama Scott Edwards said he was keen to include as many students as possible from across all the year groups and almost a quarter of the school had been involved in the production.
Casting occurred last November with rehearsals kicking off with a flourish in January, taking place six days a week.
Jamie Fawcett played Horton the Elephant, with Kira Meikle as Gertrude McFuzz, Charlie Appleyard as JoJo and The Cat in the Hat played by Joe Johnston. General Schmitz was played by Head Boy Tomas Valdivia Araya and Mayzie La Bird by Esia Forsyth.
“It is a really challenging piece, which I remember being part of when I was younger, and it is one of my favourites,” Mr Edwards said
“All the students have worked incredibly hard and the performances were all amazing. It’s fantastic to see students from every year group working together and supporting one another – it’s lovely to see the older students mentoring the younger year groups, and for those in Year 7, it’s a really aspirational experience.”