While its short two and a bit week run at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre might be a contributing factor to its sales, the current Australian tour of Cats is set to be performed approximately nine times a week to an almost packed audience. I say this as I have a relative looking to catch the show before it moves on, and recently using the QPAC website to find a seat which isn’t right at the back of the theatre has proven to be a challenging task.
But whether it is the short time in Queensland, the allure of anthropomorphic cats dancing on stage, the following this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic has garnered over the decades or the opportunity to see Australian songstress Delta Goodrem perform on stage which has drawn people in to see Cats… the final experience will come down to just how good the show actually is.
With an Australian cast behind it and the amendments made in the new London Palladium version providing something for newcomers and veterans alike…. how does Cats fare? Read on to find out.
Storyline / Character Development
The London Palladium version of Cats retains most of the original storyline and progression of events. It follows a congregation of “Jellicle Cats”, who come together one night a year for the Jellicle Ball. It is at this event where their elder, Old Deuteronomy, chooses which cat will be able to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn again. With many cats vying for this prestigious role, much of the 2 hour 40 minute show is dedicated to introducing the distinct and creative members of the tribe. This includes but is in no ways limited to the tap-dancing Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger whose song has been changed into a modern rap number in this version, and Gus – who reminiscences the old days of theatre. While the procession continues, it draws the attention of Grizabella – “The Glamour Cat”, who draws disdain from the Jellicle Cats. With each cat bringing their own style to the show, viewers are treated to a variety of songs which are by no means locked into one specific genre.
All this in mind, Cats is a stage musical which I consider to be all about the music and its characters rather than the story. Therefore, should you be after a show which presents a deeply touching or ever-present plot, my recommendation would be wait until next month when the London Palladium production of The Sound of Music begins. But for those who don’t strictly need a storyline to justify their trip to the theatre, viewers do tend to learn quite a bit about the personality or history of each cat during their particular number.
Performance / Music
One of the big draws to this Australian production of Cats is that renown Australian songstress Delta Goodrem has taken on the role of Grizabella. I found the up-beat and faster-paced songs such as “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats” and “Magical Mr. Mistoffelees” more to my enjoyment. However despite this, the highlight of the night still had to go to Goodrem’s performance of “Memories” in both the first and second acts. It was a song which sent shivers down my spine; presenting pitch-perfect vocals, great instrumentals and an overall emotional and heartfelt experience. With a variety of songs from rock and rap to classical, there was something on offer to suit many different tastes in music.
With something in the ways of 30 different felines present in Cats, it was great to see that the cast was of a consistently high standard when taking on these roles. From Holly Meegan (Jennyanydots) who presented some impressive tap work in “The Old Grumbie Cat” to Brent Osborne (Mungojerrie) and Dominique Hamilton (Rumpleteazer) who delivered so much life to the song “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer”, it was hard to find any issues with the casting choice. While this is something one would expect from a show titled “Cats”, there is something very appealing about how, when the cast were not impressing the audience with their triple-threat skills, they were still able to immerse the viewer in the setting by taking on feline mannerisms as they sat on and moved about the stage.
While I can praise the cast, a mention must also go to the orchestra, who managed to provide the pleasing and varied tunes throughout the entire show. Unfortunately, and this might simply be based on where I was seated, I found the music to overpower the vocals on several occasions during my sit-through.
Costuming / Set
One of the main charms about Cats is being able to watch dozens of professional performers sing, dance and act whilst dressed up as cats. The costuming department did not disappoint in this production, with each cat having a clearly defined and high-quality costume/make-up ensemble, making them easily identifiable to the viewer when they are on stage.
As has become characteristic with the Cats stage musical, the set design is reminiscent of an abandoned junk yard, with many different nooks for the cast members to emerge/leave from during the show. While the actual set remains fairly static, a good variety of props are used which fit the junk yard setting – most notably the makeshift train created during “Skimbleshanks”.
Final Words on Cats
Considering the show is well over three decades old now, it is clear that there is much in Cats which has helped keep it running and successful for all these years. While I would have personally liked a bit more plot development, the time I spent watching this performance did leave me feeling immersed in the unique world of the Jellicle Cats. Complemented by a cast who were fantastic felines and a strong assortment of songs, it proved to be a great night out at the theatre. Now if only they could add a couple more shows into the Queensland season…
