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REHEARSALS are in full swing and entering the final weeks for the Music and Stage for Kids’ (MASK Theatre Company) latest production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical Cats, writes Stan Szecowka.
The Bahrain Rugby Football Club is now the scene of much frolicsome feline fun each Friday as almost 100 ‘cats and kittens’ run rampage as they prepare to stage the all-singing, all-dancing family show.
“Cats is suitable for all ages, so we urge people to come and see our kittens prance and our teenage cats preen,” said dramatic arts virtuoso Lydia Martin. “Discover the answer to the question: ‘what is a Jellicle Cat?’ and learn the correct way to address a cat.”
Audiences are set to be dazzled by choreographer Faten El Gredly’s delightful dance sequences and get the opportunity to meet Old Deuteronomy and the Magical Mr Mistofeles.
They will also have the opportunity to listen to the dulcet tones of Bahrain favourite Anna Thompson Hall giving an emotional rendition of the famous showstopper Memory.
The West End and Broadway musical will premiere at the rugby club on December 10 and will run for three nights.
Obtaining a licence to perform the classic composition has not been the smoothest ride. Large-scale shows, like Cats, are expensive to licence and since they are still being performed professionally in London and Broadway, licences are not always granted to youth or amateur groups. Lydia said: “I am delighted we were able to secure Cats, it’s going to be a wonderful show.”
She also thanked Alosra for agreeing to be one of the main sponsors. “Alosra has loyally supported MASK since their outset in 2009 and it is with great pleasure that we are able to renew this relationship each year,” Lydia added.
“Many thanks must also go to the rugby club who are allowing us to use its venue and to Maestro Music who is also supporting the show.”
All profits from Cats will be donated to Think Pink Bahrain and towards the Inspire Scholarship Fund set up to enable talented students from financially-disadvantaged families to study the performing arts. The theatre company will also be collecting donations of food for Feed the Need and the Uplift Project which supports migrant workers.
* Tickets are now available from all Al Osra supermarkets and the rugby club. Show fans can also buy tickets online at a newly launched website www.inspirebahrain.com priced at BD7 and BD10. For more details, contact 39047734 or email catsinbahrain@gmail.com
