CATS (youth)

This production was a first for CAOS, their first ever full youth production and what a first it was! CATS is based on the poems of T S Eliot, has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is essentially a dance show, difficult for adults to take on board let alone a very young cast. Every one of the 37 young people on stage engaged with their feline characters and gave the audience an endearing production with some very special moments.

CATS is very much an ensemble show and the whole cast are to be congratulated but there were many very good individual performances and I was particularly impressed with Munkustrap (Dan Burlison), Rum Tum Tugger (Sam J. Scott), Grizabella (Morgan Cutter), Gus (Oscar Petre)  Mungogerrie & Rumpleteaser (Ellie Choake & Mya Stewart) Mr Mistoffelees ( Mia Southall) and Old Deuteronomy (Kathryn Leonard).Every single performer gave us a cat with personality and individuality as well as good vocal performances. The entire cast were on stage for the majority of the performance and moved seamlessly from one number to another, performing some very big dance numbers , my personal favourites being “Mungojerrie and Rumpeteaser”,” Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat”, “Mr Mistoffelees” and “The Jellicle Ball”, great energy throughout and super choreography.

The costumes, wigs and makeup were excellent, each cat being different and I understand some of the wigs and costumes were made by parents, wow.  The set although simple, was an ideal setting and the star cloth and moon set it off beautifully, this together with a lighting plot which complimented the numbers all added to the performances and overall production.

Congratulations to Kirstie and Lee and their army of support for putting together such a super show which I’m sure will live a very long time in the “Memory” of the young people and audiences alike.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.