Review: CATS, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

When walking down the London streets and noticing a cat, there is a chance that it’s a stray. Perhaps it is lost. Or perhaps it is on its way to Regent’s Park to be a part of the Jellicle Ball. That is where the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS is currently playing, promising both a new and faithful rendition of the classic piece of musical theatre. 

The current production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, is so feline in its choreography and movement. From the way they stretch, to the constant walking on all fours, it’s easy to stop seeing actors and start seeing odd looking cats on stage. The choreography, which maintains the smoothness of the movements, is energetic, distinct, and clear. There is no doubt as to when the cats are fighting, flirting, or on high alert. The individual cats are also able to express their character traits even in moments of group choreography, which is an amazing feat. The standout in this case is Rum Tum Tugger (Jaydon Vijn), who is at all times moving and dancing in the most sensual way a Jellicle Cat can.    

The costumes, designed by Sami Fendall, and makeup, designed by Guy Common, is another new aspect of this production. The cats are dressed in a mixture of athletic wear and high fashion, mixing texture and shapes that don’t resemble much a cat save for the ears and tails. They are distinctive enough to recognize each character and give more personality than a simple cat costume could. The makeup is similar, being less theatrical and more conceptual. It is a new look that does its job fantasticly. The only exception is Gus the Theatre Cat, who, given the themes of his song, resembles the old style. 

Fendall’s set, accompanied by lighting work designed by Jessica Hung Han Yun, has a distinctly urban and industrial feel, giving off the vibes of a London street in the middle of a park. The moon is central to the stage, being present in the massive centre set piece, and the moving light that signals the arrival of the night and the Jellicle Ball. In a way, this sense of passing time is also helped by the open nature of the theatre itself, as you can see the setting sky. The use of light in the show is fantastic, especially when it uses its backlight to create silhouettes of the dancers. The Macavity sequence stands out as a visual delight thanks to this technique. 

The cast is packed with talent. All the cats shine on their own and become recognizable, not just those who have a song. The most important cat for the Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy (Melanie La Barrie) has an astounding stage presence, even when she isn’t the tallest or most physically imposing presence in the cast, and wears her heart on her sleeve noticeably throughout. The most recognized cat, Grizabella the Glamour Cat (Taziva-Faye Katsande on Friday 7 August) is the least feline in the cast, given her outcast status, but her “Memory” is the most emotional moment in the show, truly making giving to the song.

While the current production of CATS is fantastic in the performance, the music, and the set, it stays so close to the original in tone and spirit that it becomes hard to call this a new take on the material. The new costumes and choreography are not enough to make this production stand out amongst those previously seen. Still, it is a wonderful experience for any lover of musical theatre, dance, and cats. 

Associate Lighting Designer: Lucy Adams
Resident Director & Choreographer: Josh Baker
Associate Set Designer: Tim Blazdell
Casting Coordinator: Will Burry
Casting Director: Will Burton
Makeup Designer & Supervisor: Guy Common
Associate Sound Designer: Ollie Durrant
Lyricist: T.S. Eliot
Set, Costume, & Wig Designer: Sami Fendall
Sound Designer: Adam Fisher
Lighting Designer: Jessica Hung Han Yun
Composer & Orchestrator: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Intimacy Director: Ingrid Mackinnon
Fight Director: Kev McCurdy
Voice Coach: Fiona McDougal
Director & Choreographer: Drew McOnie
Associate Director & Choreographer: Ebony Molina
Gus the Theatre Cat Design: Josh Napier
Associate Wig & Hair Designer & Supervisor: Georgia Nosal
Musical Director: Geraint Owen
Musical Supervisor: Alex Parker
Assistant Musical Director: Fionnuala Ward

CATS runs until September 19th at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.