Cats

CATS.... a musical presented by Rainhill Musical Theatre Companies Youth Group at Rainhill Village Hall on Friday 15th November, 2019.

Anyone who knows me will know that I just love attending and watching young people on stage, but to get them there, usually takes involvement/commitment from adults... adults who are prepared to give of their time to develop and nurture the skills of our young people and also it takes established societies who are prepared to ‘stick their necks out’ and form a youth section, the rewards from which can be amazing and make the future of that society safe!  Rainhill Musical Theatre Company is one of those societies that have taken that step and are blessed with many talented adults who are prepared to give of their time in the development of youth ....so let me take this opportunity to congratulate all those concerned and especially those involved with this production; Samantha Moores (Director/Producer), Amy Balfour and Sam Moores (Choreographers), Jess Hope (Vocal Coach) and the many other society members who have given of their time and helped in any way shape of form to put this youth production on stage, your efforts have been rewarded! 

This musical is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  The show is set in and amongst a junkyard playground.  It is so easy to forget that there is a story behind this spectacle – where cats come out to play and tell their stories to their wise leader who must then choose one cat who will ascend to ‘The Heaviside Layer’ and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

It was evident from the moment we reached our seats and saw the preset stage that a huge amount of attention to detail had been given by the production team. The set was perfect in its detail with a skip, rubbish, boxes, scaffolding, pipes, cable reels purposely arranged for maximum theatrical effect; hidden entrances and exits points strategically placed for ease of movement, so many congratulations to Tony Dagnall (Stage Manager/Set Designer), Chris Gibb, Les Dagnall and John Horley (The Crew) for all their efforts....well done guys!

From the entrance of the first ‘cat’ until the dying phrases of the last song, this young cast were ‘PURRFECT’! The opening number was dramatic and wonderful to watch (as was the opening to Act 2) and set the tone for the entire show. This show is very much an ‘ensemble piece’ with individual character cats coming forward to tell their story and disappearing into the crowd again. Everyone on stage gave of their best and tried to stay ‘feline’ throughout, even the ‘Kittens’, who all looked like they were having the best time ever and who worked so hard.  Having mentioned the ‘kittens’ and this is in no way being detrimental to any of the other kittens because they were all amazing....but Sienna Lankertis, aged just four...the tiniest kitten of them all just ‘stole my heart’!  She had the biggest smile ever which never left her face even when older brother Jacob gave her a nudge! She really was having the time of her life, her dance moves, hardly choreographed I would suggest, were ‘amazing’.... oh to be young again!

As previously stated, everyone on stage gave of their best and there were some truly great performances and some wonderful prospects for the future! I probably should not start naming individuals for fear of doing injustice to others, but I feel it would be remiss of me not to take a chance and mention MY four personal favourites and I’m sure if you ask anyone else in the auditorium that night, then they would have their own favourites, so here goes...

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate two great young dancers... Poppy Trigwell and Liam Spencer who played the roles of ‘Victoria’ and ‘Jennyanydots / Macavity’ respectively!  Both had great stage presence and both ‘shone bright’ when involved in dance.
Well done you two....

Secondly, we had two very ‘mischievous’ felines in ‘Mungo Jerry’ and ‘Rumpleteaser’ played by Iris Wall and Maisie Riley respectively.  There was great chemistry between these two...always in character even when not in the ‘spotlight’, full of fun, stage presence aplenty, great mannerisms and I just loved there rendition of ‘Mungo Jerry and Rumpleteaser’ a highlight for me!

Next, was Lilly Spencer who took on the roles of Rum Tum Tugger and Skimbleshanks.  I thought Lilly looked and sounded a little nervous to start, but that quickly disappeared, her confidence grew as did her ability to portray the characters she was playing.  A good singing voice, good stage presence, good movement, an all round good performance, one to be proud about ...well done Lilly!

Finally, the ‘Show stealer’ for me was Rhianna McEwen who took on the roles of ‘Grizabelle / Gus’.  This isn’t the first time I have mentioned Rhianna in a review and I am sure it won’t be the last!  It really is great to see the development and growth of this young lady who has stage presence aplenty, bags of confidence and a singing voice to die for.  She sang a ‘duet’ with Aaron Savage (who sang his part wonderfully well) in Act 2 - ‘Gus the Theatre Cat’... an amazing rendition bettered only by her solo renditions of ‘Memory’ especially the one in Act 2 which brought the house down and rightly so!  Be ever so proud Rhianna and Rainhill Musical Theatre Company adult females beware! 

Lighting and Sound had a few issues, but as we know, Rainhill Village Hall isn’t the easiest place to light or put sound into... so well done to Les Dagnall and Dave Murray for their efforts and I know the Company will continue to work to improve both elements wherever and whenever possible. Costumes were excellent and apt and enhanced the production...so congrats to Pip Bradshaw, Ruth Gibb and Karen Wood for all their efforts.  

Once again thank you so much for inviting my wife and I, we thoroughly enjoyed the show and a special thanks to Keith Marsh for looking after us again....see you all again soon!

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