The political message in this 45 minute show for under 7s is laid on thickly. Beware of crude indoctrination masquerading as educative entertainment. Yes of course we need to save endangered animals and to conserve the jungle but absurd, outdated stereotyping of the sort of people who once killed animals for taxidermy is hardly likely to get the message over to young children.
Moreover, there are zoological and biological solecisms. Snow the White Lion is eventually rescued. If she really is the last of her species how did she come to be pregnant?
I winced at the rhyming of Guatamala with koala too. Sorry, folks. But koalas live in Australia.
All this is a pity because the songs are jolly and varied in style from Calyspo to rap to ballad. These will already be known to children who attend Perform classes for 4-7s.
All seven members of the cast are strong singers and there’s some nifty movement (choreographed by Frank Thompson). In particular, Darren Hart is a bit of a show stealer as the bouncy, jokey Cheetah.
And Lotte Collett’s costume designs are inspired – just enough animal hints to make us believe in them. Sharron Ballard as Eeli the elephant, for instance, is all in grey with a trunk protruding from her chest – she creates an elephantine ambience by moving it with her hand.
Review by Susan Elkin