As the latest visitors to Whoville, SOUTH WALES LIFE spent a fantastic afternoon at the Motorpoint Arena watching HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – THE MUSICAL. The show may be finishing its time in Cardiff tomorrow but we’ve checked and there are some tickets left. We tell you this because you really don’t want to miss it. Let our readers share their thoughts with you…….
We completely agree with them. It was everything you’d want, and expect in a festive show, polished, colourful, great music, terrific cast. The good guys in Whoville are really, really good and the bad guy (Mr Grinch) is really bad, but secretly we all love him.
It really is an ensemble piece and that includes the people we can’t see, technicians, wardrobe and the band all go to make this one real colourful Christmas treat. It was slick and yet had a feel of spontaneity, mainly down to The Grinch and his interaction with the audience.
Being of a certain age it was a joy to watch Griff Rhys Jones, who makes a darn good old dog and Matt Terry the young pup. As for Mr Grinch himself, Edward Baker-Duly, he is spectacular and gives Jim Carrey a run for his money.
Below is our original feature, just in case you are new to the world of Dr Seuss.
Every Who in Whoville liked Christmas a lot – every person in South Wales (well, most of us) likes it a lot too. There is one old meanie though who can’t stand it, in fact, he hates it so much he’s in Cardiff to steal it away. Oh yes, that mean one, Mr Grinch is in town with the multi-award winning show HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – THE MUSICAL.
There have been reported sightings of the Gruesome Greenie around Cardiff. Whilst we can’t confirm these, the video evidence appears to be fairly conclusive…..
The stage musical based on the Dr Seuss story will tour the UK for the first time later this year. It’s here at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff till Sunday. It’s only going to five locations before setting up Christmas camp in Manchester, so we’re thrilled it’s with us here.
We’re even more excited as Comedy legend Griff Rhys Jones will star as Old Max, alongside X-Factor winner Matt Terry as Young Max and Edward Baker-Duly as the world-famous mischief maker, The Grinch.
The musical, which has a book and music by Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason, has previously run in America, including a couple of spells on Broadway. The original show was a massive hit, breaking box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway. Since then just over two million people across the States have seen it. Now we’ll finally get to see what all the fuss is about.
What is so special about this and any of the Dr Seuss tales, as cookie and crazy as they are. As bright and psychedelic as he imagined them, they are full of heart and love. Non more so than HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. There is of course real familiarity in the tale, not only from the book and movies but the songs too. Featuring ‘You’re A Mean One Mr Grinch‘ and ‘Welcome Christmas’, we’ll be singing and laughing along (and maybe booing a little) from start to finish. Click on the title and listen to Tyler The Creators version of Mean One from last years movie. It’s a cool old song that one.
The sets in the musical are truly magnificent. Along with the costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations’ they promise to ‘transport us away to the whimsical world of Whoville. It’s heart-warming, hilarious, magical and, of course incredibly festive – despite Mr Grinchs’ best efforts.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS is at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff till Sunday the 24th of November. We checked out some of the reviews from the States and unanimously they said ‘GENIUS’ for adult and kids. For details and tickets CLICK HERE.
