When TS Eliot penned a series of poems about cats in the 1930s for his godchildren, he could never have imagined the life form they would take on.
Fast forward more than 40 years and Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats had been adapted into a musical masterpiece by admirer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
If you’ve never had chance to see the production during it’s 30 year reign, it basically takes the audience into a world of cats who meet once a year at a dump for the Jellicle Ball, which is presided over by Old Deuteronomy.
It is he who will decide which of the cats can travel up to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.
Sound basic? Well there’s more to the show than that. In fact it’s a feast for the eyes and ears.
The production is one almost uninterrupted dance sequence – except for the scenes staring Old Deuteronomy (Kevin Stephen-Jones) and Grizabella (Marianne Benedict) – covering an array of styles from tap to modern.
Perfectly executed, the feline moves and vocal performances, in particular The Company performances, are flawless and captivating from the outset.
Like one lucky feline, the show itself has been reborn. The Rum Tum Tugger, played brilliantly by Marcquelle Ward, now raps and does street dancing, for example to cater for the more modern day audience.
The second act introduces some of the more seemingly popular cats - including the uplifting Skimbleshanks, the railway cat (played by Lee Greenaway).
This is followed with a sensual performance of Macavity, a mysterious and fearful ginger cat who is always up to no good.
Finally, Shiv Rabheru’s gives a magical portrayal of the clever Mr Mistoffelles including an impressive dance solo.
Benedict is simply mesmerising as the once glamorous cat Grizabella, offering a truly moving and spine-tingling performance of the iconic Memory which will leave you close to tears.
Add to this some fabulous costumes and makeup, clever set designs and a stand off with some Siamese cats and it’s no wonder theatre-goers return to see this production again and again.
