CATS

Many societies will have perused the recently released well known ‘CATS’ musical, with an idea of presenting it and then thought unsurprisingly…too complex for us….. the casting, the music, the dance, not to mention the rights holders restrictions - cannot replicate in any way, set, wigs, costumes, dance routines and publicity of the original!

WSM OS obviously looked at the show and thought that all those problems were simply opportunities not to be missed and went ahead with a production. Thank goodness they did!

The society members in all departments obviously supported the decision 100% and my goodness it showed. It showed in the impressive and very unique and usable set… a derelict building instead of a rubbish dump. The staging team who designed, built and painted and then worked the set on the playhouse stage, are to be admired and congratulated.

It showed in the results from the whole team of dedicated designers, wigmakers, tail makers, costume makers and mask creators who must have given hours and hours to the task resulting in a superbly costumed cast, you have my congratulations and my admiration of your skills.     

It showed in the intelligent lighting which supported the cast with every move and emotion and included impressive special effects and it also showed in the sound reproduction which enabled the orchestra to balance with the company singing perfectly.

Then we come to the cast…perfect casting in every single role, each being a talented performer dancer, singer and actor,  and a team of extraordinarily  accomplished acrobatic ‘kittens’ who added such delight to this all singing, all dancing, all acting,  company.  The direction and choreography was skillfully created by Adam Ludwell, who with an impressive CV of previous work molded the CATS Company into the perfect dream team. But, this show is almost operatic with its ‘sung through’ style and the totally integrated music under the direction of Richard Lennox was superb.  The sound from the orchestra was a delight in itself, beautifully controlled by Richard, enabling every member of the cast to give of their best. The soloists were outstanding and the company singing was some of the best I have ever heard.

‘CATS’ created and performed by WSM Operatic Society, was very close to a perfect amateur production and with full houses at every performance, the atmosphere on the Friday night was electric… the audience had come to enjoy an experience not too often seen on the amateur stage, and they were not disappointed!

Very well done and congratulations to everyone concerned with WSM OS CATS…. There were no ‘stars’ because everyone who contributed in any way, was a ‘star’. This was a totally inclusive production from a very talented and hard working society. You deserve your success.

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