Cats Youth Group Production

Oh where do I start with this wonderful production!

This musical has long been a favourite of mine, I have seen it professionally 6 times including the original West End Production before all of these performers were born. This production was every bit as good as any of the professional versions I have seen.

It requires a committed production team who start with casting such challenging roles as all bar two members of the cast have to be able to perform many styles of dance and sing without sounding like they are out of breath as vocally many of the numbers are as challenging as the dance numbers. Gary and Simon ably assisted by Billy Pretsell as Assistant Director and Mark Frost as Assistant Choreographer had clearly chosen their cast with care but had drilled them to perfection on both dance and music too. All this whilst each cat had their own personalities to “purrfect” and most were on stage or in the auditorium for the whole show having to keep up their characterisations which were faultless.

The set and staging looked fantastic with a thrust stage where the cast performed their dance routines. Seating was on three sides of the stage which again presents a set of different issues so that the audience don’t miss any of the action. The entrances and exits worked wonderfully well with cats appearing from behind and through trap doors at different intervals. The lighting plot added to each scene and was expertly put together. The band were at the back of the stage behind the scenery but sounded great under the guidance of Simon.

The costumes and make up were absolutely stunning, again each kitty had a completely customised costume and wig with feline ears, tails, socks and paws. The make up for each cat looked spectacular and finding ways to adhere microphones to each was another problem which the society overcame.

I loved Ellie Reynolds and Mary Platts rendition of “McCavity” which comes straight after a very energetic dance number. Their vocals and routine looked and sounded fabulous.

Dominic Dunne had a wonderful tone as both Bustopher Jones and Old Deuteronomy and Jordanne Woodward had the difficult task of performing the best known number of the show in “Memory”. But perform it she did and beautifully so with passion and vulnerability. The counter singing by Millie Cunliffe as Jemima on this number sounded lovely too.

Frank Williams was lovely as Gus and ably assisted in the vocals by Abey Bradbury who told us of Gus’s story. Beatrice Hewitt-Lee was beautiful as Victoria-white cat and her ballet moves were well controlled and enthralling.

Katherine Farrow put in a cute striking tap performance as Jennyanydots and Robert Ahern was brilliant as Skimbleshanks which was one of my favourite numbers.

Tom Davison as Mungojerrie and Ellie Birtles as Rumpelteazer were fabulous as the acrobatic thieving cheeky kitties and George Griffiths as Rum Tum Tugger charmed the audience with his lovely voice and swagger and style.

Lewis Rimmer was brilliant as Mr Mistoffelees dancing and conjuring his way in one of the other key numbers in the show.

Rhys Nuttall as Munkustrap was not just a fabulous dancer but is also responsible for telling the story in many numbers including the difficult Pekes and Pollicles song with its difficult lyrics and timing. He commanded the stage and had fantastic diction which allowed the audience to follow the story.

Every single one of these performers is to be commended for fabulous vocals, stunning dance moves and acting feline all the way through. Most of the audience were exhausted just watching them. The whole society pulled out all the stops to pull off this difficult show but the Direction and Choreography created by Gary and his team were simply breathtaking and stunning creating a piece of theatre that I will never forget.

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