MUSICAL
THEATRE
Book by T.S. Eliot; Music by
Andrew Lloyd Webber; additional material by Trevor Nunn & Richard Stilgoe; by
Young Australian Broadway
Chorus (YABC)
at National Theatre, St.
Kilda, until Jan 25, 2020
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars:****
Review also published in Herald Sun in print only on Wed 22 Jan 2020. Pics: Kit Haselden Photography
YABC_CATS_Left Mungojerrie-Matthew Casamento_Right Rumpleteazer-Adeline Hunter |
Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s enormously successful musical, Cats, is the ideal vehicle for these youthful,
talented performers who hurl themselves
heart and soul into Robert Coates’ production for the Young Australian
Broadway Chorus (YABC).
Lloyd Webber, Trevor
Nunn and Richard Stilgoe based their rather flimsy
narrative on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems, Old Possum’s Book of Practical
Cats, but added plenty of lively music, songs, and quirky, feline characters.
The tribe of Jellicle
cats lives and frolics away from prying human eyes. On this night in the Jellicle world, Old Deuteronomy
(Harrison Dart) will choose one cat
to be reborn into a new life on the Heaviside Layer.
The clever design (Dann Barber) sets this production
in a dilapidated theatre, and the cats wear extravagant, vivid costumes (Sean
Rentero), with tattered Edwardian gowns and top hats mixed with 1920s flapper
frocks and kitty make-up.
With 80+ in cast
and orchestra, all aged 8 to 18 years, Coates’ direction is imaginative and
deft, and the vivacious energy of this youthful chorus is undeniable. Like
their animal counterparts, these felines are alert and nimble, with Jacqui
Green’s effervescent choreography being a highlight.
Occasionally,
the stage seems overcrowded, which is to be expected when you are - well - herding
cats.
Cast of Cats YABC |
Suzannah Bourke is compelling as Grizabella, the former
Glamour Cat who is now shabby, stooped and grizzled, and her powerful soprano does
justice to the moving song, Memory.
Praise goes to other leads, including: Kristen Robertson as Jennyanydots;
Patrick Rogers as Skimbleshanks; Matthew Casamento and Adeline Hunter as acrobatic
duo, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer; Tim Bland as Gus the Theatre Cat; Declan
Ahern as magical Mr. Mistoffelees; and Nathan Derix-Brown as villainous, elusive
Macavity.
Cats has adoring
fans worldwide, although its critics believe the flaws outweigh its successes. People
love or hate Cats, but die-hard fans of the stage show should be delighted with
this energetic production.
by Kate
Herbert
Grizabella-Suzannah Bourke |