Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre: A Skillful Yet Absurd Spectacle
The legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with its anthropomorphic felines, takes on a magical open-air setting. However, the show's silliness is undeniable. It transforms T.S. Eliot's whimsical poems into a song cycle, loosely structured around a resurrection narrative. The performance, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, presents a cast of actors in leotards with prosthetic ears and tails, exuding disdainful curiosity. This spectacle opens on a circular stage, featuring a giant, oxidized 'C' and a full moon, with an opening glissade that immediately hooks the audience. The setting is the Jellicle Ball, a gathering of superior cats, where Old Deuteronomy (Melanie La Barrie) selects a candidate for rebirth. The cast includes haughty, sybaritic, and vicious characters like Grizabella, Mr. Mistoffelees, and Rum Tum Tugger. The songs, ranging from pop-rock to jazz and nursery rhymes, are memorable, with a notable reggae influence in 'Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats'.
Eliot's Practical Cats are portrayed with acrobatical and balletical grace, intertwining in displays of flirtation and threat. The performance is enhanced by dynamic breakdancing from Mr. Mistoffelees (Jet Yau) and strong individual performances, such as Taziva-Faye Katsande as Grizabella and Gary Wilmott as Growltiger. The ensemble's bodies create a rippling spine, and the elusive Macavity's exit involves a fiery ring, reminiscent of the controversial CGI anuses in the 2019 film adaptation. Despite its flaws, Lloyd Webber's dedication to reworking his past hits is admirable, especially after the cinematic disaster. McOnie's version, while more pedestrian, showcases his ability to shape public taste, making Cats a radical and enduring success in the West End.
However, the show's absurdity remains. The transformation of Eliot's whimsical verses into a song cycle, the exaggerated feline antics, and the reliance on primal, infantile themes create a spectacle that is both skillfully executed and deeply silly. The reviewer's comparison to George Galloway licking his paws in the Big Brother house highlights the show's peculiarity. Despite its flaws, the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Cats is a thrilling experience, offering a unique blend of skill and absurdity that captivates audiences.
