Review: CATS The Musical
Image: Josh Piterman joins the cast of CATS.
More than thirty years after its international debut, CATS the musical returns to Sydney with an all-Australian cast for its 2015 revival––with spruced up choreography and new music. A teeming, oversized junkyard spills out of the stage as the Jellicle cats take over the Capitol Theatre on the night of the Jellice Ball.
“It still has that authentic CATS feel, nothing in that sense has changed, there’s just some little extra things…if you’re a fan of the show you’ll notice the changes in a really good way,” explained Josh Piterman, who takes on the role of Gus the old theatre cat (aka ‘Growltiger’). “I think Andrew [Lloyd Webber] has a deep love for the piece, he wouldn’t be going back to it all the time if he didn’t love it so much,” he added.
CATS can be enjoyed on three levels––firstly for the spectacle, the gorgeous vision of the staging and costuming; for the form, the level of competency and talent of the performers; and the story. While the relentless singing (although flawless) may make it difficult for some to comprehend the larger plot, just settle in and enjoy all the various sub-plots about the many and varied Jellice cats (and if Act I is slightly too morose for your taste, hang around for the uplifting second act).
While Delta Goodrem taking on the role of former glamour cat Grizabella has been hotly publicised, this appearance is only brief, the rich talent of the other performers taking centre stage for the main part of the show (notably, Matthew McFarlane as the commanding Munkustrap––and a questionable ‘hip hop’ update with a rapping Rum Tum Tugger, pulled off by Daniel Assetta). That said, Goodrem is gripping when she creeps onto the stage, and on opening night her rendition of ‘Memory’ summoned tears even from those most indifferent to her pop music career.
Piterman himself overwhelms when he erupts into a newly-penned Italian aria for one of the most fascinating origin stories, the infamously rough pirate Growltiger, serenading his ladylove Griddlebone (proving the talent that has seen him tour with the Ten Tenors).
Overall, CATS is an unmissable spectacular for fans of felines, with new joys for audiences who have seen its previous incarnations, and satisfaction for those of us wanting to finally experience a musical they have seen referenced in popular culture their entire lives. (AM)
Until Nov 29. Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket. From $74.90. Tickets & info: ticketmaster.com.au or catsthemusical.com/australia
