StarCentral Review: Madagascar The Musical Delivers Roaring Fun for the Whole Family

From the team that brought us Shrek The Musical and Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, Madagascar The Musical roared onto the stage during the July school holidays as part of its 2025 Australian tour — and it’s every bit as vibrant, cheeky, and joyfully chaotic as the beloved DreamWorks animated film it’s based on.

For 75 minutes, audiences are transported from the bustling Central Park Zoo to the far-flung shores of Madagascar, following the much-loved quartet of animal friends: Alex the Lion (charismatic and Broadway-bound), Marty the Zebra (full of energy and wanderlust), Melman the Giraffe (neurotic yet lovable), and Gloria the Hippo (warm, sassy, and grounded). Of course, no Madagascar story would be complete without the scene-stealing King Julien, who delivers every ounce of flamboyance you’d expect — and plenty of opportunities to “Move it, Move it.”

This stage adaptation is pitched perfectly at preschool and primary-aged children, though there’s enough charm, visual spectacle, and sly humour to keep parents entertained too. Director Nick Wilkinson’s vision balances high-energy performances with moments of genuine heart, while Kevin Del Aguila’s book and the infectious score by George Noriega and Joel Someillan keep the action galloping along at a pace that never risks losing the littlies’ attention.

A Feast for the Eyes and Ears

Recreating animated characters as living, breathing stage creations is no small feat, especially when those characters are upright, talking, singing, dancing animals. Here, the costume and puppet designs deserve high praise. They are stunningly faithful to the original film’s look, right down to Alex’s mane, Marty’s stripes, Gloria’s tiny hippo tail and perky ears, and Melman’s perpetually nervous expression. Cleverly applied makeup gives the performers human facial expressions while retaining the cartoonish appeal of the source material.

The use of puppetry is particularly impressive, especially with the cunning penguins. Operated by multi-talented puppeteers who act, sing, and dance alongside their web-footed alter-egos, these puppets weave seamlessly into the action, from covert operations in the zoo to commandeering the ship that ferries our heroes to their new home.

Melman’s design deserves a special mention: the actor controls the long, bespectacled giraffe’s neck and head via a double-string stick mechanism, creating an oddly endearing and comical effect as the head bobs and turns independently while the performer sings. King Julien, meanwhile, is delightfully short in stature yet towers in personality — his comedic timing and physicality earning some of the loudest laughs of the night.

High-Energy Choreography and Musical Moments

The choreography is clever, considering the physical limitations of some costumes and puppets. Every performer throws themselves into the movement, from Alex’s big Broadway-inspired numbers to the penguins’ snappy routines and, of course, the irresistible “Move it, Move it” finale that had the audience clapping and grooving in their seats.

The music is lively and rhythm-driven, filled with toe-tapping beats and sing-along refrains that young theatregoers will hum for days afterwards. Even in quieter moments, the songs carry a playful warmth that keeps the energy bubbling.

Family Entertainment Done Right

At its heart, Madagascar The Musical is a story about friendship, freedom, and finding your place in the world. The ensemble cast — including two versatile swings — never misses a beat, ensuring that even the simplest of plot points are carried with charisma and a sense of fun.

Whether you’re revisiting the animated classic or discovering it for the first time, this production offers a colourful, high-energy escape into a world where lions dream of the spotlight, zebras long for adventure, and lemurs throw the wildest parties on the island.

By the time the final curtain falls, you’ll feel as though you’ve been on your own little holiday — one filled with laughter, music, and a cast of characters who prove that life is better when you embrace your wild side.

Madagascar The Musical is a Showcase Entertainment Group production, featuring a book by Kevin Del Aguila and music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan. Directed by Nick Wilkinson.