Purr-fect role for a Dakota Fanning-obsessed actress!
Dr. Seuss book The Cat in the Hat bursts to life on stage at Birmingham Rep this month. Melissa Lowe, who plays Sally, tells Post Life about the mad-cap family show
The Cat in the Hat is such an iconic book; did you read it as a child?
Yes, I vividly remember reading it at school – it’s just such a great book for young kids because it’s easy to follow but is full of these bonkers characters and rhymes that stick in your head. I remember loving the film too; I was obsessed with
Dakota Fanning (who played Sally). It’s really cool to now be in the show myself, playing Sally and bringing so much life to it.
How has it been to take Dr. Seuss’ story and put it onto the stage?
We’ve been able to create such a wild show from what is, essentially, quite a simple story. One of the first things we did in rehearsals was flips and tricks with Thing 1 and Thing 2 (played by Celia Francis and Robert Penny) which was a really good way to build trust straightaway. We’ve just had the best time making it and I think that really shows on stage too. If we’re having fun, the audience will enjoy it too.
It’s been brilliant to see the kids get so excited to see us. I love hearing them say things like “Sally’s so cool!”, it’s such a great feeling to know they’ve had a great time.
Have any of the audience reactions really stood out to you?
“There’s a lot of audience participation in the show and the reactions are different every single time. Kids are the most honest – and best – critics so we always know we’ve got it right when we see their faces and hear them screaming with laughter. When we perform some of the more daring tricks or make the house messy the kids call out with genuine concern! It’s great to hear they’re genuinely invested with the story and the characters.”
What’s your favourite part of the show?
I have so many! It would have to be one of the physical moments because they’re so much fun – there’s a really comic scene where we’re trying to move a mattress and it never fails to get lots of laughs.
I also really like the beginning of the second half, there’s a really lovely moment where the kids (Sally and Boy) really come into their own. The Boy, played by Sam Angell, has a sparkly unicorn and fairy wings and I come on with my lab coat, camoflage shorts and hair up. They’re just kids exactly as they want to be which is brilliant and so pertinent to the world today. You can absolutely enjoy yourself and have an amazing time as you are.
The show is made in association with the National Centre for Circus Arts. How has it been learning all of the tricks?
I was actually a cheerleader for a football team when I was younger and I still dance now too which goes hand in hand with being able to pick up all of the acrobatics. I was a bit of a crazy child when I was younger; I’d pretty much do anything and try anything!
The Cat in the Hat is at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from February 26 to March 3. To book tickets visit birmingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 236 4455.