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| Greg Sollis (Skimbleshanks) Brittney Gould (Exotica) Kelda McManus (Sillabub) Photo: Craig Burgess |
Presented by
Free Rain Theatre
ANU Arts
Centre until 22nd July.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Cate
Clelland’s decision to set this production backstage in a run-down theatre,
instead of the usual garbage dump, is just one of many inspired touches
which help breathe fresh life into this most curious of musicals.
Based on T.S.Eliot
poems about a meeting of a tribe of cats to choose which cat will ascend to the
Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life, “Cats” is something of an acquired
taste. But this fine ensemble production,
with its well-staged set pieces,
imaginative costumes and makeup, clever choreography and talented cast, captures
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s surreal world so successfully, that it’s not difficult to
understand why so many people find this
musical a magical experience. .
The slight
storyline is told through a series of songs and dances and Free Rain Theatre
have assembled a superb cast of talented performers for whom choreographer
Laura Pearce has devised spectacular and entertaining routines which echo the
original Gillian Lynne choreography, showcase the strengths of her excellent
dancers, and flatters her singers.
Vocally Impressive
throughout, particularly during the chorus items for which Lisa Keen’s superb
band produces exactly the right sound, with excellent sound design which insures that the
lyrics are clearly heard throughout, and a series of magical moments, add to
the pleasures of a production which is a credit to all concerned and a
compelling demonstration of the strength of talent presently on show in
Canberra.
(This review appears in "CITY NEWS" 12th July Edition)
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| Members of the CATS cast Photo: Craig Burgess |