Cats (Youth Production), Jan 18, 2020 ****

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