THE world of Dr Seuss has stood the test of time for more than 50 years and the nonsense characters he created have established themselves worldwide.

The recent film Horton Hears a Who has brought attention to Dr Seuss’s characters to a whole new audience and the award-winning Essex Group present Seussical, a musical adaptation by Monty Python legend, Eric Idle, at the Towngate Theatre this week.

The Cat in the hat, Horton the elephant, the Sour Kangaroo, the Grinch, the people of Nool, and the Townsfolk of Who, so small they live on a speck of dust, are just a few who have been brought to life in the musical inspired by the characters from the books.

The Essex Group, with cast of more than 50 local young performers, impressed with their heart-rending performances in Les Miserables last year at the theatre, in St Martin’s Square, Basildon, and return from Wednesday.

Gary Sullivan, producer and director for the group says: “Seussical is now the third most performed musical in America.

“It’s fast becoming the new kid on the block here in the UK and although not as well known as Les Miserables, the Sound of Music or other popular favourites, the Essex Group are delighted to be rolling it out for local audiences.

“While childlike and full of all the magic of the stories, the musical is played out by our cast in human form, taking on the names of the characters as they sing and dance their way through the rhymes and nonsense stories that have made the Dr Seuss books so popular.”

Tickets are £14 for adults, £12 concessions with a special family ticket available at £48.