Bright, lively and very colourful - and that was just the opening number! This nonsense tale about the tiny people (The Whos) rescued by a tender-hearted elephant is intertwined with the doings of non-maternal good-time bird Mayzie, an under-feathered bird Gertrude and a boy whose 'thinks' get him into both trouble and magical places. And because this is Dr Seuss of course, the Cat in the Hat has his nose into everyone's business.

Beset by opening night problems due to an accident on the M25 considerably delaying the lorry with some important show gear, I congratulate the whole team on the success of their first night.

The many small children in the cast were both well rehearsed and appealing. The Schmitz cadets certainly made their marching mark under a strict General (Colin McGinnis) and the dancers at McElligot's Pool created their own delightful under-sea world.

Kevin Hayes positively bounced everywhere as the ubiquitous Cat in the Hat - dressing appropriately for each occasion and contributing his own style of delivering lyrics. His Wednesday night JoJo was young Amy Hayes, who set about her starring role like a real trouper.

Stuart Norris gave Horton the elephant an Eeyore quality, empathising with JoJo with whom he duetted in one of the show's most memorable songs Alone in the Universe. Vicky Terry's sassy Mayzie captured the character's live-for-today attitude and Amanda Miller, who co-designed the set with Ben Ruddock, used her impressive vocal powers to create Sour Kangeroo - with attitude. Macy Bird was her delightful Roo.

More good vocals were supplied by the Bird Girls - Phoebe Dunster Sarah Ioannou and Lindsay Smith with Natalie Cave charming her way into Horton's heart as Gertrude - the bird who yearned for a long feathered tail.

Excellent monkey business came from the Wickershams with Serwah O'Neill, Sue Reader and Katie Wookey creating magic moves. Mike Williamson added to the tale as The Grinch and Bill Woodland and Hayley North as The Whos Mayor and Mrs Mayor worried both for their planet and their boy.

Directed with panache and a seasoned eye for the show's theatricality, Gill Miller had Steven Geraghty's musicality as MD and her daughter Corin Miller to contribute some notable choreography.

Theo Spring

4 stars