Cats

The creative team more than excelled themselves by exploiting all that energy and talent into an explosive knock-out blow over the footlights into the audience: new director Paul Goldsmith captured the whole ethos of the piece and encouraged and directed each single cat into a special character that was maintained throughout the action and forming part of the integral teamwork;  new choreographer Dominique Tonitto worked miracles with all that stylised movement and disciplined energy imaginatively well synchronised for the company numbers and individually well-tuned for the principals suitably in character, assisted from the company by Maisie Dolman (who also doubled as Grizabella); and Helen Curson was her expected professional musicality and every note disciplined, every word heard and understood in this very difficult score; and the orchestra well controlled and not overpowering under the baton of Dave Cowie. This whole production was something very special from the DOSYTCo company and worthy of the sell-out week. Loved all the myriad costumes (Dereham Theatre Costumes), and that imaginative makeup from Sophie Blanks, each very individual and bringing out character features of the players.  And as for that set under the leadership of Chris Smart, well how fitting and exciting with the cats climbing and sliding amongst the fittings, lighting enhanced the whole feel of the production and the sound worked.

So where does one begin with this amazing cast so full of talent and energy: the whole production quite took the breath away with the full-on presentation by every child, whether a named role or part of the ensemble, all were important, vital and confident in their character cat-skin, a very special show which gave all the ingredients of workshops and development into such a polished performance, all involved should be congratulated.The Company ‘Jellicle Cats’ set the high standard for the whole evening, great to see how disciplined and yet joyous in movement filled with energy, and all that projection for words in music; as I said, it is the Company and teamwork that is important for the group. We all have our favourite moments and songs from the cats, and this is not to say that others were any less good, just a personal choice.  Adam Jones as Munkastrap had much to say and act and show personality in ‘The Naming of Cats’. ‘The Old Gumbie Cat’, led by  Lauren Matwij as Jennyanydots with Adam Jones, Rachel Elvin, Emily Scarlett, and Matilda Jones was fun and a study of cats and behaviour.  The Rum Tum Tugger of Sam Mckay just exploded on to the stage with phenomenal energy and huge diction, where did this very small child get this character-full representation? And lurking through the shadows and awaiting her later moments, Grizabella from Maisie Dolman in great character.  Josiah Blake as Bustopher Jones the ‘cat about town’ really showed personality and style for the role, and accompanied by his many companions. What timing and rapid movement and gymnastics, plus those personalities and vocal qualities and diction, Thomas Wilson-Gotobed and Rebecca Ludkin were a perfect duo of stars as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser, really something special to watch.  In dignity and in control and using measured tones, William Rodwell as Old Deuteronomy took command of the stage to order the other cats into some format of behaviour. And Act 1 finished into this amazing kaleidoscope of movement and joyful song for those Jellicle Cats on the night of the full moon.  Into Act 2 opening with Old Deuteronomy and Jemima (Esme Findlay), and what a finely realised character we got from Gus the Theatre Cat (Ryan Standing) with his tales (great acting skills) and remembrances, and encouragement from Jellylorum (Matilda Jones), highly entertaining. To Growltiger’s Last Stand and the ‘Ballad of Billy McCaw’ led by Gus and Growltiger (Milo Milton) with Company, and followed by that waist-coated railway cat Skimpleshanks (Reuben Elvin) with a perfectly developed characterisation, and these numbers much enjoyed and put over so well by the company members and obviously enjoying every moment. And each audience member waited for ‘Macavity the Mystery Cat to be there (Zak Barham) and tale told by Bombalurina (Rachel Elvin) and Demeter (Emily Scarlett); and followed by the excellence in dance and movement of Megan Norgate as Mister Mistofelees and vocals delivered in style by Sam McKay and the Company.  To the moment that most people wait for: Grizabella from Maisie Dolman (the night I visited, but double cast by Franky Goodfellow), with introduction from Jemima (Esme Findlay), this is ‘the song Memories’ and how well it was presented her character study, with truly excellent vocals, poignant and emotional acting in what will be Maisie’s final show with the company, certainly a memory for all present as she ascended the spiral staircase into the Heavyside Layer, a performance to relish.

However, what is remembered is the commitment of the entire cast in never letting up on the concentration of this difficult and wordy piece with quite complex musical score plus all those well timed and fast movements delivered in style and fun: this is very much a ‘team’ piece and very inter-dependent on all members of the Company to deliver, and they did and should all be congratulated.

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