Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “CATS” is a stunningly colourful and athletic musical that audiences, young and old, thoroughly enjoyed on Sunday evening’s performance.
Upon walking into the theatre, we were greeted by the backdrop of an alley, scattered with fantastical depictions of trash or lost items. Festoon lights were hung around the stage and across one of the bannisters above the audience. Many platforms and footholds were around the stage, which gave the cats many places to enter scenes, hide, and leap from.
While a good portion of the show included basic white wash lighting, flashing lights/strobe, pyrotechnics, and different coloured lighting created the desired effects and were appropriately timed. Costumes and Makeup were stunning and thoughtfully crafted, and I could hardly take my eyes away from the intricate details and grungy aesthetics.
As someone who had not seen CATS in person before, I was unaware of the more interactive aspects of the show. Occasionally, some of the cats would enter the audience via the front two rows. They would play with the strap of someone’s purse, bump paws with audience members or serenade them. It was an interesting way to break the fourth wall and keep people engaged. Those who book their seats close to the stage should be made aware of this ahead of time.
All dance routines were highly polished and were done to seem effortless. In between routines, each cast member maintained their character by including feline mannerisms in their recline. Dance intervals featuring the White Cat (Claudia Hastings) and Mr Mistoffelees (Tim Haskayne) were especially memorable and very impressive. As well as their poise, apparent professionalism and acrobatics, support from the remainder of the cast really brought each of the performances together seamlessly.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed songs such as “Mr Mistoffelees,” “The Rum Tum Tugger,” “Gus: The Theatre Cat,” “Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat,” and of course, the much beloved “Memory,” and its reprises. All vocals were fantastic and blended well, with notable mentions to Des Flanagan (Rum Tum Tugger), Jarrod Draper (Munkustrap), Mark Vincent (Old Deuteronomy) and Gabriyel Thomas (Grizabella). It is a highly enjoyable experience to see cast members have fun doing what they do best, committing to their roles in such a way that seems effortless.
From the costumes to the effects, everyone who plays a role in making CATS what it is did a fantastic job, and I highly recommend this production.
To book tickets to Cats The Musical, please visit https://catsthemusical.com.au/.
Photographer: Daniel Boud
