CATS Young Actors Edition

After a delightful Act 1 cabaret style show from the Springtime Singers, the majority of whom are all part of KLYP, the cast quickly donned their costumes, liberal amounts of grease paint, fluffy ears and gloves, ready for the Jellicle Cats to come out and play for Act 2.

The opening number set the tone for the rest of the show, which was well directed by Sharon Fox and musically directed by Samantha Ashby. The simple yet effective set, featuring a couple of street lamps, steps for different levels, and some black cubes, provided an ideal backdrop. As 33 young performers graced the stage, their impressive feline costumes added to the visual spectacle. It was evident that meticulous attention had been paid to character development, movement, and choreography. Kudos to all the creatives involved for delivering a remarkably slick performance.

Whilst KLYP says the youngest was 7, I was sure that some of the younger performers from Springtime Singers had sneaked in as kittens, holding the hands and being looked after by the cats. A nice inclusive touch. Whilst sometimes the stage felt busy, it was a  great experience for them and a show like this can be as inclusive as you like!

Those familiar with CATS will know, several of the named cats are all vying to reach the ‘Heaviside layer’. For some of these CATS, they sang about themselves and for others there was a soloist singing whilst they acted/danced the story. This adaptation, perhaps tailored for young actors, seamlessly integrated everyone into the production. We were given a generally harmonious blend of powerful vocals for a youth production and captivating dance moves. Each contributor added to the ambiance, resulting in a convincing performance.

Alexander Simpson, portraying both Old Deuteronomy (‘OD’) and the loveable Rum Tum Tugger, delivered two distinct characters. His portrayal of OD exuded old-man charm. Thalia Mason, in the roles of Munkostrap and Asparagus, stood out with strong vocals and an almost-narrator-like presence. Bella Guyatt (Rumpleteaser), Rose Stewart (Mungojerrie), and Chantelle Verdad (Bombalurnia) flawlessly embodied their lead dancer roles, maintaining unwavering characterisation throughout. Bella is one to watch – such stage presence. Finally, Saffron Krill’s rendition of ‘Memory’ evoked echoes of Elaine Paige’s iconic Grizabella, showcasing remarkable vocal maturity as she soared to the climactic ‘belt.’ Truly impressive!

The remaining principal performers—Natalie, Amelia, Chantelle, Isobel, Freya, Jack, Verity, Alice, Liv, Alyssa, Lily, Codey, Emily, Leon, and Keanna—radiated confidence in their individual cameos. Their collective presence ensured that the audience departed having thoroughly relished the enchanting journey into the world of the Jellicle CATS.

Well done to everyone involved, and it’s truly heartening to see KLYP (along with Springtime Singers) nurturing an environment that fosters great theatrical talent for the future. I look forward to seeing some of these folk in The Sound of Music later in the year.

Phil Melia

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