THE Compass Theatre, Ickenham, will stage Encore Theatre Company’s first musical, Seussical the Musical, from the October 2-4.

This West End and Broadway musical was originally conceived by Monty Python’s Eric Idle and award-winning duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

It is a complex mix of many of Seuss’s most famous books, including Horton Hears a Who, The Butter Battle Book and The Cat in the Hat.

Encore’s production is directed by Karen Bulfin and choreographed by her daughter, Abigail.

Coincidentally, the Green Room of the theatre is named after Karen’s mother, Annette Sands.

In 1992, Mrs Sands formed Encore as a philanthropic cabaret group to raise money for charities and to entertain residents in care homes and hospitals.

The company disbanded for a short time but reformed after her death in 2010.

A vocal group, Encore Voices, was initially set up, but this was followed by Encore Theatre Company, which has a cast of 33 for Seussical.

They include 11 members of Encore Junior Voices, the company’s new initiative for cultivating young talent, aged 10-18.

Tickets are £10 and are available from the box office on 01895 673200.

For more information, visit the website: www.compasstheatre.co.uk