CATS

Cats is based on the book of Poems by T.S. Eliot "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" with the award winning music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen.  The Lyricist's were Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, with additional material by Richard Stilgoe, and absolutely no spoken dialogue. 

Cats premiered 11th May 1981 in the New London Theatre.  Each cat has its own special character we have mischievous cats, mysterious cats, the nasty kind, the naughty ones, kind hearted ones and the sassy tom cat.  It all takes place  in a larger than life Fairground, the playground of the cats.  They all come out to play one special night of the year "The Night of the Jellicle Ball".  They tell their stories in turn, in song and dance for their Leader Old Dueteronomy, and he must choose one of the cats to send up to "The Heaviside Layer".

The energy, vitality and enthusiasm of this production was outstanding from start to finish.  Grizabella, (Sharon Whitehead) now quite old, who's coat has lost its lustre, sang Memory beautifully and when she went up to the Heaviside Layer it was quite magical.  Their was an excellent character portrayal from Paul Bennett as Asparagus/Bustopher Jones.  Mister Mistoffellees , (Sam Jackson) oozed confidence as he danced and performed his magic tricks.  Old Dueteronomy (David Lockwood) sang with gusto as he protected his team of felines.  Rum Tum Tiger, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Victoria, Munkustrap all the named cats gave exceptional performances.  The principals were enthusiastically supported by a superb team of cats all with excellent stage presence.

The Choreography for this production was fantastic, fluid,  graceful, athletic movements.  The set, almost in the round worked perfectly, the lighting and special effects were brilliant.  The complimentary Orchestra never intruded on the performers singing.

This deserves a big WOW - it was purr-fect

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