This revival of Cats is both magical and utterly bonkers in equal measure but, most pertinently, a welcome reminder as to why the OG mega-musical became such a worldwide phenomenon.
In the atmospheric setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bizarre but beloved show charts the fortunes of London’s felines, gathered beneath the Jellicle moon, hoping for their chance to ascend and come back to a new life.
Cats, based on the 1939 poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by TS Eliot, has always worked from an extraordinary premise. It is the type of show that would surely reinforce negative stereotypes of musical theatre to its sceptics - but to fans of the form, it is pure celebration.
Sami Fendall’s minimalist set, like almost all elements of the piece, comes into its own in Act II as the sun sets on Regent’s Park. The combination of costume, set and Jessica Hung Han Yun’s spectacular lighting design is an impressive feat.
While director Drew McOnie’s choreography during Act I contains hits and misses, come the second half, the audience is completely captivated by what is essentially a stunning dance performance. The entire ensemble works tirelessly throughout to create a genuine theatrical spectacle.
There are several standout performances but none more so than Taziva-Faye Katsande, covering Rachael Wooding as Grizabella. For those unfamiliar with Cats, its 11 o’clock number ‘Memory’ surely transcends the piece itself. Katsande, who graduated from Bird Conservatoire just weeks ago, gives one of the most exquisite performances of a solo number in recent (pardon the pun) memory.
The audience held its collective breath for much of the showstopping number, before erupting into wild ovation. Katsande may have been deputising the role by an unfortunate quirk of fate for Wooding but, be in absolutely no doubt; a star has been born in Regent’s Park this summer.
Other highlights include Matthew Caputo (playing Skimbleshanks), Danny Nattrass and Briana Craig (Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer), while Jet Yau wows as Mr Mistoffelees, holding the audience’s gaze in a starry performance that features more than its fair share of pyrotechnics.
Cats ignites in Act II and answers the question of why. Why did Lloyd Webber turn this offbeat collection of poems into a smash hit musical? While Act I is disjointed and even frustrating, its second half demonstrates its credibility. The arrival of Melanie La Barrie (Old Deuteronomy) brings an extra gravitas to the piece.
In fact, from the very first number of Act II with Gary Wilmot as Gus, the theatre cat, the entire piece picks up, culminating in Katsande’s ‘Memory’ but not before the sublime staging of the Macavity (Dionte Lodge) fight scene.
It is not Lloyd Webber’s greatest show, nor his greatest score, but this revival of Cats is a subtly modern take on what is now surely one of musical theatre’s most iconic museum pieces.
Cats is playing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 19th September. For ticket information, see here.
Review: Tom Ambrose Photos: Mark Senior