There are two Mogs in our book collection at home, whose stories we love equally, but it’s Judith Kerr’s enormous-eyed, slightly bewildered Mog who we’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for. So, the Wardrobe Ensemble’s Mog the Forgetful Cat had quite a high bar to reach, but it reached it effortlessly with a nostalgic, outstretched paw.
We’re warmly invited into the Thomas family home by our host and narrator (Tom England), and Mog (Georgina Goodchild) soon arrives through the cat flap, into a colourfully drawn world, much to giggles of excitement from the audience. From there, we’re taken on a journey as she ventures through the seasons, combining a number of Mog’s best loved tales with songs and humorous, physical theatre.
On-stage musical accompaniment “Bother that cat!” is provided by ‘Larry’ (show musical director, Max Gallagher) who stole the show for me on a few occasions, not least when declaring his love for Squidgy the hamster: “I love youuuu Squidgy!”
Other highlights included the trip to the V.E.T. (we have to spell it in our house too) where the owners really did look like their pets, as the actors switched between the two with a clever use of hats—a nifty device used throughout—and two-sided costumes.
Laura McEwen's set design is enchanting—as if a small person had taken a felt-tip to their beloved dolls' house—and is as functional as it is appealing. Mog has room to climb, hide and make her entrance, while the moving parts transport the audience indoors and outdoors as the seasons change.
Mog packs quite a bit into her year, but ultimately, despite the rumpus she causes, her family love her very much. The production embodies everything children’s theatre should be: feel-good, but unpatronising and heartfelt without being worthy.
My six-year-old co-reviewer’s mind was slightly blown as we emerged blinking back into the sun. The pressure of naming her highlight was a bit much, and so her summary as she tucked into her post-show ice cream was just: “I loved all of it”. Couldn’t have put it better myself.