Review: The Lorax, Old Vic: In Camera

Source: Dr. Seuss's The Lorax | Behind-The-Scenes - YouTube

If someone says to you "Think of a family story about protecting the environment", what would come to mind? Ferngully perhaps? Or Wall E? Or if the kids were a bit older, maybe Avatar or Princess Mononoke? 

Well, another one that I imagine would come to people's minds is Dr Seuss' The Lorax, and with Earth Day AND the 50th Anniversary of the classic book coming up around the corner, it seemed the perfect opportunity for the Old Vic to bring back it's production as it's next In Camera. 

The Old Vic are seemingly hoping to bring back the production to it's full glory some time after theatres have fully reopened. The last time it played, it picked up an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment & Family in 2016, but ultimately lost to Showstopper. 

Now while I originally thought this was going to be a straight play adaptation, David Greig's version does actually feature some songs (so I guess it does count as a musical). They're written by Charlie Fink, the frontman of band Noah & the Whale. They may not be the most standout thing about the show, but they do bring a bit of extra charm and are fairly harmless. 

Source: Old Vic: In Camera – Dr. Seuss's The Lorax | The Old Vic (oldvictheatre.com)

But what is the most important thing is the story and the central message that comes across. The story follows the conflict between the Once-ler, a young man looking to make his fortune, and the Lorax, a creature who "speaks for the trees". As these two characters clash, the environmental impact gets more and more devastating. 

Now I will hold my hands up and say I have not read the book so cannot comment on how faithful an adaptation it is/isn't. But the main core of the story is one that we can all resonate with and take to heart without it being too preachy. 

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better. 

It's not"

It's something that we have been hearing a lot more recently, as awareness of our carbon footprints and what it does to our planet is higher than ever, and we really do seem to be at a "crunch-time" moment. What the heart of the Lorax is about is to make us aware of our actions, and show us how small steps can make big change (whether for better or worse). 

Source: Old Vic: In Camera – Dr. Seuss's The Lorax | The Old Vic (oldvictheatre.com)

As with the other In Camera performances, this was filmed over Zoom with cameras at several angles photoshopped in together, so it may be understandable to think that this is a pre-recorded performance rather than a live one. Out of all of them so far though, this one is where I think the editing works the best. 

As it is a children's story, there is an opportunity to get creative on how the audience can use their imagination a little more, so it can get away with the various camera angles photoshopped together. 

What also works are the designs of the props and staging done by Ben Chipperdale and Rob Howell - a lot of them, including the trees, are made out of carboard. During scenes such as the Once-ler on his travels at the start of the show, we are shown a simple drawing of roads and a bike drawn on cardboard sheets. 

It's just the same as playing make-believe with your toys when you were a child, or at least certainly brings back that sense of wonder and imagination. And with the cardboard road in the background and the Once-ler or his family "travelling" along in the foreground, it really works for this kind of piece. 

Source: Old Vic: In Camera – Dr. Seuss's The Lorax | The Old Vic (oldvictheatre.com)

Leading as the Once-ler is Jameal Westman (Olivier nominated for Hamilton), alongside a group of story-tellers that includes Melanie La Barrie (Dick Whittington) and Audrey Brisson (The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Amelie). Brisson was also one of the puppeteers for the Lorax himself, wonderfully brought to life as if he just jumped from the page. 

For families, I highly recommend this one - a lot more than the 2012 animated version. I can see why this was the Dr Seuss' favourite out of all the stories he wrote - imaginative and creative, but with a deep heart that will make us all think. 

The Lorax is running for just a couple more performances, ending on 17th April. You can purchase your tickets here: Old Vic: In Camera – Dr. Seuss's The Lorax | The Old Vic (oldvictheatre.com)