You’re back for your 40th anniversary. You’re a show for the bucket list. But you know what? It’s hard to know how to respond when we’re asked whether you’re worth seeing – because the answer greatly depends on how much the person asking already knows about you.
Going to see you without any context would probably feel like falling head-first into a surreal fever dream. Specifically, one in which people are dressed as cats (that are occasionally dressed as dogs), and where characters are endlessly introduced with great urgency and importance then never seen again, and where cockroaches tap-dance superbly for no discernable reason.
But for anyone who’s already survived through this fever dream at some point over the past 40 years (bonus points for anyone who survived the movie-version) – the answer to whether you’re worth seeing is a resounding “Yes”. Because let’s be honest, no one ever came to see you for your plot. We’ve come for your outstanding choreography, timeless score, and general spectacle.
And what a spectacle you are! Your setting, the annual Jellicle Ball (in which the Jellicle leader will pick one Jellicle cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn into a new Jellicle life) – is the backdrop against which each cat is introduced. Gabriyel Thomas, as Grizabella, is tasked with singing your signature song, ‘Memory’. She handles the build-up towards this iconic moment brilliantly. Then when we eventually get to those few soaring notes we’ve been waiting for… well, there’s the feeling of an audience overcome with emotion. And a few sniffles to prove it.
You’ve otherwise got all the other characters we know and love – who all love to sing about themselves and each other, and ponder their names. Everyone from Gus the Theatre Cat (Todd McKenney), Old Deuteronomy (Mark Vincent), Rum Tum Tugger (Des Flanagan), Jennyanydots (Leigh Archer), and more. Many more. In fact, there are a total of 11 cats that spotlight their respective introductory numbers. (Which, in a show that runs for two hours, leaves little time for anything else, really).
Thankfully for us, your cats have been remarkably cast. Not only can they all sing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s alternatingly powerful and comedic score to perfection (never mind that we can’t understand a word of those poetic T.S. Eliot lyrics) – but they dazzle us with their unique talents during their respective solos. Archer leads those cockroaches to tap-dancing excellence. Flanagan exudes charismatic energy. Vincent proves he’s an operatic powerhouse.
And for those of us who appreciate the skills of a great ballerina but aren’t a fan of sitting through a ballet – you’re our perfect show. Axel Alvarez, as Mr Mistoffelees, does a perfect ‘Conjuring Turn’ (that’s 24 consecutive fouettés en tournant, according to the Cats Musical Wiki). Claudia Hastings, as Victoria the White Cat, makes us feel that ballet must always have been meant to be performed in the style of cat.
However, it’s your ensemble numbers that are the most fun to watch. Your choreography, originally done by Gillian Lyne, but updated slightly in this production, is a complex and unique fusion of styles. Incorporating classical ballet, modern, and jazz – all influenced by heavily stylized cat movements. It’s utterly captivating.
It’s also not constrained to the stage – you’ve got cats frequently prowling through the audience for a closer look at (or sniff of) the humans. This interaction, along with some cleverly designed stage effects, lighting, and sound throughout, amplify our whole experience – particularly in the intimacy of a venue like Theatre Royal.
Yes, Cats, while we’re aware you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of catnip, you sure know how to make the rest of us smile. So, going back to our response on whether you’re worth seeing, we might elaborate to, ‘Yes. But do watch some version of the show beforehand – even if it’s on YouTube.’ Because once that fever dream is out of the way, we’re well rewarded with a truly joyous and magical ride from start to end. It’s a purr-formance well worth ticking off that bucket list.
With love,
Cats the Musical is showing at Theatre Royal Sydney until 6 September 2025 before showing in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane.