The pun about Cats having many lives has well and truly earned its place when it comes to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Cats is now one of the longest running shows in theatre history, having premiered in 1981 and been seen in more than 30 countries by 73 million people. The cleverness of the original poems by TS Eliot, the memorable musical score (featuring the classic Memory) and the wonderfully conceived stage setting has made this musical one of the most popular ever. It is also one of the first musicals to be so reliant on dance to tell the story and express the characters.
This year it returns again for a tour of Australia, in production that brings together the original creators, including choreographer Gillian Lynne. While much of the choreography remains intact, some of it has been given a bit of spit and polish, including the introduction of some rap and hip hop sequences for the Rum Tum Tugger, who has morphed into Street Tugger. He will by played by Daniel Assetta, who was most recently seen in Wicked.
Other main dance roles have been won by Amy Berrisford (Demeter), Madeline Cain (swing), Emma Delmenico (resident Choreographer/swing), Dominique Hamilton (Rumpleteazer), Ashleigh Hauschild (Tantomile), Jade Hui-Wen Coutts (Victoria/The White Cat), Erin James (swing), Emily Keane (Cassandra), Sarah Landy (Bombalurina), Bree Langridge (swing), Holly Meegan (Jennyanydots), Samantha Morley (Jellylorum/Griddlebone), and Stephanie Silcock (Jemima).
The male cats will be played by James Cooper (Admetus/Macavity/Dance Captain), Andrew Dunne (swing), Matt Edwards (swing), Christopher Favaloro (Mr Mistoffelees), Keanu Gonzalez (Alonzo/Rumpus Cat), Ross Hannaford (Skimbleshanks), Sam Hooper (swing), Thomas Johansson (Pouncival), Tobias Madden (Carbucketty), Matt McFarlane (Munkustrap), Stephen Morgante (Resident Director/swing), Brent Osborne (Mungojerrie), Josh Piterman (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Taylor Scanlan (Bill Bailey), Jason Wasley (Old Deuteronomy), and Patrick Whitbread (Coricopat).
Deltra Goodrem will star in the central role of Grizzabella.
Cats opens in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre on October 30 to November 22, then moves to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and winds up in Perth from April 16 to May 16, 2016.
See the Dec 15/Jan 16 issue of 'Dance Australia' for an interview with associate choreographer Jo-Ann Robinson.