Review ! Seussical the Musical By Smile Musical Youth Theatre 2026

Going into this production completely blind, having never seen Seussical before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect—but from the moment the curtain rose, Seussical the Musical transported the audience into the wonderfully imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. The stage exploded with vibrant colours, eye-catching costumes and a beautifully designed set that felt as though the pages of a Dr. Seuss book had come to life before our eyes. It was, quite simply, a “whizz-bang, grin-and-go” kind of evening.

Bringing together many of Dr. Seuss's most beloved characters, this joyful production was packed with energy, humour and heart from start to finish.

Leading the way was Thomas Bastable as the Cat in the Hat, delivering a wonderfully zany performance full of charisma and mischief. His chemistry with Tiffany Clarke as JoJo was a delight to watch, with the pair perfectly capturing the magic and imagination at the heart of the story.

Molly Bastable was superb as Gertrude McFuzz, showcasing an outstanding singing voice alongside cute expressive facial expressions that brought the lovable bird to life, with a very long tail to tell. Max Thompson was equally impressive as Horton the Elephant, portraying the gentle giant with warmth and sincerity, creating several genuinely touching moments that tugged at the audience's heartstrings.

Nancy Minaker shone as Mayzie La Bird, once again proving why she is such a captivating performer, combining flawless vocals with confident acting. Casey Micheala commanded the stage as Sour Kangaroo, her powerful voice filling the theatre with ease, while Matilda Crump was utterly charming as Roo, delighting the audience with her impressive gymnastics and sweet vocals.

No Smile Youth Theatre production would be complete without plenty of laughs, and Taylor Simmer certainly delivered them as General Genghis Khan Schmitz. His booming military-style vocals, exaggerated cartoon-like movements and impeccable comic timing had the audience laughing throughout.

The entire cast deserves enormous praise. Every performer gave their all, with energetic dance routines, strong ensemble singing and boundless enthusiasm making this a true team effort.

Special mention must also go to the creative lighting and impressive special effects, which added another layer of magic and helped immerse the audience in this colourful fantasy world.

Overall, Seussical the Musical is a wonderfully fun, uplifting and imaginative production that perfectly showcases the incredible talent within Smile Youth Theatre. True to their name, they once again sent the audience home with huge smiles on their faces, a great performance by all involved!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Smile Musical Youth Theatre

Next production 

Carrie - The Musical

Friday 21st August 2026 I 7.30pm

Saturday 22nd August 2026 I 7.30pm

The Dormston Theatre,

Mill Bank, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 1SN.

https://www.smilemusicalyouththeatre.co.uk/shows