This my favourite STAGE musical. It was my first three-dimensional theatrical experience, by which I mean that the barrier between performers and audience is broken. Many of the cast come on stage through the audience, and venture out at various moments. When I first saw Cats, I was disconcerted when one of the cast stroked my back before going on stage, and it must be quite unnerving to have someone in character a couple of feet away from you staring at you and reciting The Naming Of Cats. The character of Macavity appears in the circle a couple of times. Cats is also the only musical I have ever seen where a character remains on stage throughout the interval (Deuteronomy), and members of the audience can talk to him.
The music, singing and dancing are all wonderful. Critics complain about a lack of plot, but the experience of seeing Cats live is so magical and moving that plot is irrelevant. The emotion of seeing it live means a recorded version can never do the show justice. I don't think anyone should see the video/DVD without first seeing the show live, as they could be disappointed. This also means that much of the choreography has been adjusted on the assumption that performers remain on stage throughout.
Having said that, the cast on the video/DVD comprises some of the most memorable performers of Cats over the years. Elaine Paige is the only acceptable Grizabella, and Ken Page is an excellent Deuteronomy (I preferred Brian Blessed, but he's too old now!!!!). The inclusion of John Mills means that Gus is played by someone of the right age, but it also means that the Growltiger sequence is excluded (John Mills could hardly transform himself into a young, bounding 'cat'!)
The dancing is stunning. Some of it is very sensuous. Youngsters won't get those nuances, but heterosexual men everywhere should fall instantly in love with Veerle Casteleyn's gorgeous eyes (one pleasant aspect of seeing the cast in close up!).
This is a fine way to remember the show (apart from the above cut), but not a good way to see it for the first time. I know it's quite difficult to find since it closed, but it is on tour in the UK (hopefully other productions are touring around the world). I've just seen it again (Wimbledon Theatre, the third time I've seen it). If the show is in your area, go and see it, and watch this video/DVD afterwards.
The music, singing and dancing are all wonderful. Critics complain about a lack of plot, but the experience of seeing Cats live is so magical and moving that plot is irrelevant. The emotion of seeing it live means a recorded version can never do the show justice. I don't think anyone should see the video/DVD without first seeing the show live, as they could be disappointed. This also means that much of the choreography has been adjusted on the assumption that performers remain on stage throughout.
Having said that, the cast on the video/DVD comprises some of the most memorable performers of Cats over the years. Elaine Paige is the only acceptable Grizabella, and Ken Page is an excellent Deuteronomy (I preferred Brian Blessed, but he's too old now!!!!). The inclusion of John Mills means that Gus is played by someone of the right age, but it also means that the Growltiger sequence is excluded (John Mills could hardly transform himself into a young, bounding 'cat'!)
The dancing is stunning. Some of it is very sensuous. Youngsters won't get those nuances, but heterosexual men everywhere should fall instantly in love with Veerle Casteleyn's gorgeous eyes (one pleasant aspect of seeing the cast in close up!).
This is a fine way to remember the show (apart from the above cut), but not a good way to see it for the first time. I know it's quite difficult to find since it closed, but it is on tour in the UK (hopefully other productions are touring around the world). I've just seen it again (Wimbledon Theatre, the third time I've seen it). If the show is in your area, go and see it, and watch this video/DVD afterwards.