December 14, 2006
Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Theatre Company present an excellent show for Christmas theatre-goers of all ages. There is a storyline: cats meet to decide who amongst their number is to be chosen by Old Deuteronomy for rebirth. The relative merits of the nominees are discussed and, eventually the most deserving is chosen to journey to 'The Heaviside Layer' and be reborn.
The story is, as is true of many musicals, incidental. What the show is all about is a celebration of athletic dance, well performed songs and enough glitz and glamour to keep Liberace happy! From the opening prologue about Jellicle Cats, through 'Memory' and 'Macavity', and to the final instruction on 'The Ad-Dressing of Cats', the audience were held and entertained by a splendid ensemble performance.
Energetic and skilfully performed dance routines were cleverly intertwined with Lloyd Webber’s scoring of T.S.Eliot’s poetry. What always impresses me about successful musical performances is the way that energy is spread evenly between singing and dancing. This show is no exception. Stand out dance performance was by Zak Nemorin and Sarah Meade as Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer. Their gymnastic exuberance really captured the spirit of mischievous moggies and delighted the audience. Finest singing of the evening was the emotion laden 'Memory' by Dianne Pilkington as Grizabella – the faded outcast. A beautiful voice used to fantastic effect.
Lighting and set were most effective, shown to best effect in 'Mr. Mistoffelees' when coupled with the necessary flashes and bangs to complete the evening’s entertainment. I’m sure the show will continue to delight the holiday audience and I would advise people to see it if they fancy a good night’s entertainment. Schools break up soon, so the evening audience is likely to get more raucous as the run goes on – all the more fun, I should say!
The story is, as is true of many musicals, incidental. What the show is all about is a celebration of athletic dance, well performed songs and enough glitz and glamour to keep Liberace happy! From the opening prologue about Jellicle Cats, through 'Memory' and 'Macavity', and to the final instruction on 'The Ad-Dressing of Cats', the audience were held and entertained by a splendid ensemble performance.
Energetic and skilfully performed dance routines were cleverly intertwined with Lloyd Webber’s scoring of T.S.Eliot’s poetry. What always impresses me about successful musical performances is the way that energy is spread evenly between singing and dancing. This show is no exception. Stand out dance performance was by Zak Nemorin and Sarah Meade as Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer. Their gymnastic exuberance really captured the spirit of mischievous moggies and delighted the audience. Finest singing of the evening was the emotion laden 'Memory' by Dianne Pilkington as Grizabella – the faded outcast. A beautiful voice used to fantastic effect.
Lighting and set were most effective, shown to best effect in 'Mr. Mistoffelees' when coupled with the necessary flashes and bangs to complete the evening’s entertainment. I’m sure the show will continue to delight the holiday audience and I would advise people to see it if they fancy a good night’s entertainment. Schools break up soon, so the evening audience is likely to get more raucous as the run goes on – all the more fun, I should say!