Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
If you’d have asked me whether I was a cat or a dog person, I’d always have answered with the latter. However, after witnessing this stunning performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic by the MASK Theatre Company last weekend, I might have to reassess my answer.
It’s clear no effort was spared for the production, with almost 100 children (and a sprinkling of adults) adorned in cat costumes and make-up as they sang, danced and pranced across the stage.
Cats is the story, told exclusively through singing, of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as ‘the Jellicle choice’, where they decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
Such a whacky cast allowed diversity in the ages and costumes of the group, but everyone came together in tune and in sync for melodies such as The Naming of Cats and The Song of the Jellicles which had those in attendance humming and bobbing along.
The quality of both the choreography and the vocals was incredible all through the show, particularly considering how young and likely nervous some of the performers were and Elena Shokry, playing Rumpleteazer, is a voice to look out for in the future.
Anna Thompson Hall brought the house down (and jaws to the floor) with an impeccable rendition of the famous showstopper Memory, which left many an audience member reaching for the tissues.
I shudder to think how many hours of meticulous rehearsals went into the production, but I tip my hat to director Lydia Martin for her work getting all the whiskers into shape and choreographer Faten El Gredly for getting all the tails pointing in the right direction for a flawless performance.
I took a seat near the back so I could get as full a view of events as possible, and I’m glad I did as it afforded me a chance to take in the intricate backdrops and props on the stage, which were incorporated into the actual musical really well.
Not only that, but it gave me an opportunity to hear the production crew’s conversations and hushed whispers to the rear, and it made me realise just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make sure lighting, sound and performer cues are hit right on time.
MASK continues to outdo itself (I argued last year that it would be impossible to top their take on Peter Pan, yet here we are), so I cannot wait to see what’s in store for us next time around.
So, Kristian, are you now a dog or a cat person? Why, CATS of course!
– Kristian Harrison
