MAY 2001 (by Triskell)

May 10, 2001

May 11, 2001

May 12, 2001


go to Cast Lists May 2001

go to Stagedoor May 2001


May 10, 2001 (evening)

DRESS CIRLCE H 35, 36

I'm still too stunned to put much sense together - it was just too wonderful to see CATS again. The performance was great!

We had Kenny Linden as Munku - he sure rocked. His interpretation is of a less obvious tom, keeping in the background, and less arrogant than David Ashley appears to me. Kenny also has an amazing voice, very warm and soft and he's a superb dancer - elegant and suave *swoons*. I did like his costume better than David's too, I think the gray was darker and he had broader black stripes. Jason Gardiner performed as Tugger. He's good, knows how to swing his hips, but imo not as well as Neil Reynolds whom I saw in February. No Victor today, seems they were short of castmembers.

Victor's part during the pirates was taken over by Bill Bailey (Stori James). I didn't see much of his facial expressions, being seated at a bit of a distance, but what I saw really was cute - he has that habit of taking his tail in his mouth...*argh* so adorable! Cori/Tanto (Oliver Tydman/Helen Harper) were not always in synch but they definitely had an interesting relationship - siblings? Let's think that over... ;D. MJ and RT (Adrian Edmeades and Kate Tydman) - both a little out of tune with each other, but full of mischief nevertheless and a really adorable couple (!). Really cute was Mungo's snapping Rumple's garters quite audibly during 'Old D' as they both grinned madly and cuddled still closer together.

Had Clinton Brown (Admetus/Mac) in front of us during 'Naming' - there was a girl sitting in the front row who he stared at, then winked at, stared at again, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth just before he rubbed against her leg. Oh my, *melts* - he sure is funny - and what a Macavity! Though he does seem to find everything amusing, he seems to be hard at work concealing his grin at times - even when he's the fearsome "Napoleon of Crime". After having run his hands across Vicky's (Emma Kerslake) front at the mating dance he laughed, and so did she...talk about having a good time *grins*.

Oliver Tydman (Cori/Rumpus) was a really funny Ghengis - he actually lisped! No way to escape chuckling there - he was just too funny! I must admit that Chris Housten was a better acrobat, but I did enjoy Oliver's interpretation of the Mongolian leader exceedingly nevertheless. Bus/Gus/Growltiger was played by Peter Bishop who is just the most amazing actor! I love his portrayal of each of his roles, Gus is a veteran gentlecat actor and Growltiger *argh* - what a voice for that aria! and that unbelieving tone of voice as he intones 'the plank'? and of course his knees shaking madly as he hears Griddlebone's voice... *grins*

Lindsey Wise (Jemi) has decidedly improved her singing. I was much impressed by it - she sounds great and her dancing really compliments the good impression I have of her. MJ/RT (Adrian Edmeades and Kate Tydman) had great voices, fairly loud and Rumple did a wonderful Cockney accent. Etcy (Sarah Jane Honeywell) did cartwheels/backflips (?) all around the aisles as the toms danced their solo at the 'Jellicle Ball' - wow! Chrissie Hammond did Griz quite well, though I still prefer Barbara King in the role. The catfight was superb today, Kenny lifting Clinton - and when those guys 'fell' they even managed to make it look totally smooth and elegant - that comes from two notorious criminals (both have played Mac) being pitched against each other *grins* or so it seems.

I thought Demi (Emma Woods) and Bomba (Julie Barnes) were better than in February, their voices (esp Emma's) were stronger and much better to make out above the music and their dancing great. And now on to the 'kitty' that managed to occupy my attention for the greater part of the show. Charm and smiles - that's Misto in Jake Brent's interpretation. If you don't fall for him, you must have a heart of stone *winks*. To say he's hot just isn't enough - he may not have done this role for a while, but he's fantastic, did 28 turns during his number (which was performed so energetically you thought he'd whisk the audience right along)...wow. When he blew out the spotlight at the end of the song, with a kiss and a grin that was just sooooo adorable, I was already done for.

The Quaxo costume wasn't as nice as the one he wore in the vid, though I really like the West End Misto costume better - the wig looks odd somehow, but you just about forget about that, he's so spirited and his dancing *swoon*... He looks totally elegant, even being let down on his rope and he even makes it spin, landing without as much as a bump. He's so energetic - and he knows how to swing his hips in a very...tuggerish...way and yes, it did seem as if he were really interested in Demi, couldn't bring himself to actually keep around Bomby as much, though he did select her to bring back Old D.

His interpretation of Misto is kittenish, yet not as kittenish as in the vid. He seems more serious at times - very becoming if you ask me - and that voice of his. *melted in a puddle on the floor* - it is deep and rich and he's able to vary it beautifully too...I really can't wait to see him again tomorrow - I guess I've become a fan *grins*


May 11, 2001 (evening) - 20th Anniversary Show

MOVING PLATFORM D 19, 20

Costumed Fans at Theatre		 *falls over* Pure madness! Going to CATS dressed up as a cat - I had a blast! ;D The performance itself was stunning, of course.

We had David Ashley back as Munku - I think he's improved his dancing skills since February, still, after having seen Kenny Linden, David can't compare imo. Jason Gardiner as RTT - better than yesterday, good during the 'Misto Song' (it is hard to actually make all those movements with the appearance of ease and fluidity), but I'm still partial to Neil and prefer his interpretation. Other than that, I really want to see John Partridge!! Al did the mating dance with Vicky today, instead of Admetus.

Al/Rumpus (aka Sebastian Rose) - he is the best! Sat in front of us during 'MOH' - he really is a cat *grins*. He's got an incredible presence on stage and is one of the best dancers too, very graceful and elegant. My compliments to Kerry Washington - such a frolicking, funny Jenny, my fave ;D. Her facial expressions are priceless! I also had the good luck to be able to observe Jye Frasca (Carbucketty) close up. He took off with my heart - he's the most adorable and mischievous tom kitten one can imagine - he grins constantly, winks or show his tongue.

Got an autograph from "Old D" during the break - he looked at me, grinned and said, "I'm getting paid for this, what's your excuse?" - then he observed that this definitely wasn't the first time I'd seen CATS and that he thought I looked great *grins*.

MJ and RT (Adrian Edmeades and Lynsey Britton) had a much better coordination today and I was really taken with them. They're amazing! Peter Bishop as Gus/Bus/Growltiger again - heavenly! The pirates were the most invigorating part of the show (imo) since I saw Misto's (Jake Brent) facial expressions close up. Amazing won't cover the guy! I counted 33 (!) turns during the 'Misto number', though I might have missed one or two, it's hard to keep counting when he's spinning so fast. He hugged Carbucketty a couple of times and got a few hugs from Munku too - just so adorable! ;D. Cute and kittenish Misto at times, while preserving a certain seriousness that comes out in his taking charge of the 'younger' kittens (eg Carbucketty and Bill B) at times.

The show was very spirited, loads of applause at the end, though I was disappointed that there was nothing but a short announcement at the beginning to tell the audience that it was the 20th anniversary show. I did hear that Gillian Lynne was there and supposedly ALW as well, though I saw neither of them...


May 12, 2001 (matinee & evening)

STALLS J 6, 7 (matinee) & STALLS N 48, 49 (evening)

Talk about energetic! We had wonderful seats for 'close-ups' at both performances while being able to have some sort of overview over the stage as well.

Gareth Snook was back to playing Bus/Gus/Growltiger. His performance hasn't changed much since February and I still prefer Peter Bishop who is more elegant and gentlemanly - even as the 'Terror of the Thamses', with a twinkle in his eyes. Gareth is great fun, but his style just doesn't get to me so much. Now, being so near to the stage, I got a good view of Andrew Wright as Victor - lovely facial expressions and he makes an indispensible addition to the pirate crew! ;D Said fearsome crew brings the house down as far as I'm concerned btw. Esp watching Misto (Jake Brent) you have to laugh/grin constantly - he's cheeky, mischievous and he shudders admirably every time Growltiger approaches.
Though his tremblings on Sebastian's appearance as Rumpus Cat are great too - he has his 'glove' near his mouth, ready to hide behind it ;D. What I liked esp was his making a 'title' sign in the air as the pirates sang *Terror of the Thamses* and of course the face he makes as he hears Griddlebone, holding Growltiger's sabre almost like a mandolin, pressing it to his heart. The rapturous expression continues as he helps the lady down from the car hood and throws a kiss after her as she moves towards Growltiger ;D.

Kate Tydman was back as RT today, and she did a much better job than on Thursday imo - working together excellently with MJ (Adrian Edmeades) - her voice is just as RT's should be - a notch higher pitched - and her giggle is infectuous!! One funny thing here - at the end of the song, as the bags of loot were thrown offstage, one of them remained lying just underneath Tugger's entrance flap - and MJ, with a mischievous grin took it up, hiding it in a crack beside the car boot where he sat with RT during 'Old D'. As everyone got ready to welcome the Jellicle leader, Mungo proceeded to take the bag with him, hugging it close, even ignoring Rumple for a moment...until Munku came towards them as he always does - usually simply ruffling their headfur and kinda 'making up' with them - this time he grabbed the bag, cuffing MJ a little all the while grinning along with him as he threw the loot offstage.

Chrissie Hammond (Griz) sang very well, I have to admit to that. Sometimes she really evoked a meaning in the song with her voice, however, her movements are imo not strong enough to convey those feelings to the audience (me, that is ;D) and she's sometimes getting too loud for my taste. *shrugs - that's just the way I see it - I preferred Barbara King in the role*. Jemima was played by Helen Baker today and I must say I'd have liked Lindsey Wise better. Not that Helen wasn't great - this is just my partiality.

I do have to admit too that though I really find that Julie Barnes is good as Bomba I find something wanting in her performance and can only say that she doesn't come up to Rosemarie Ford at all. Emma Woods, however, did thoroughly convince me as Demeter - she's so nervous and edgy, performing admirably, never losing sight of her interpretation and being shy and a little frightened throughout the whole show. Her voice as she says 'Macavity' is...well, perfect! A little deeper than usually, with a tremour to it - wow! ;D.

During 'Bustopher Jones' Cassandra (Candice Evans) tried to line up with the toms, however, Misto roughly pushed her aside (at the matinee) and once showed her off with a little more flourish (evening) - in both instances she left and proceeded to sulk on top of the car hood. Carbucketty (Jye Frasca) finally captivated me completely - he is such an amazing dancer - I mean, he can keep up with Jake Brent and actually make that seem easy! They were in perfect harmony throughout their dancing at the 'Jellicle Ball' and his mimic - *argh*!

Here's to Misto - twirling around his tail (however he manages to do that) all during 'Jellicle Songs' - so cute!! His makeup is different to the one in the vid, and for the Misto number he's got something sparkling on his cheeks and brows, I think it's those tattoo stones you can stick on your body, the flashing seemed to be too large for mere glitter. Impeccable dancing (as if we had expected anything else ;D) - matinee about 30, in the evening about 32 turns during his solo (once again, I might have missed one or two spins here). Oh - and he puts his tail into his belt when he does his spins at the 'Jellicle Ball' so as not to be hindered by it.

In the evening we once saw true professionality in the Misto nr - the tin containing the rainbow ribbon didn't fly up, Jake repeatedly held out his hands, then, with no apparant haste proceeded with his dance, even making Tugger jump across the - invisible - ribbon with him. Wow. And another instance - when Al and Victor were lifting him at the end of the song, they didn't have a very good grip of him and he was swaying a little more than usually - Sebastian countered by catching him with his shoulder, holding him up. You never saw a flinch on either of their faces during that though. Very impressive indeed!

Jason Gardiner was Tugger again. He sure gets better (as did Neil in February), but I did get the feeling time and again that he isn't quite sure about his interpretation yet - if he is trying for an arrogant tomcat or one who's a mischievous clown. Some highlights of his performance: as Etcy screams during 'RTT', he hits her with a thrust of his hips, effectively silencing her and he grins really adorably ;D. During 'Jellicle Ball', as Etcy rubs her head against his thighs he starts shaking, an indefinable expression on his face as he stalks away a little stiffly *lol*. And then, that walk of his, looks very much like Skimble's bustle - must say I can't find it to be a sexy strut, sorry. Funny intonation of "confusions" during 'Mr. Misto' - I have no idea how he manages that - though it sounds really funny *grins*.

For all those Jo Bingham (video Etcy) fans - Sarah Jane Honeywell is amazing, just as good if not better than Jo! Those facial expressions - she's so hyper, never sitting still and rushing all over, excitedly hopping about - so energetic, a lovable, grinning kitten. She really is amazing, as an acrobat as well - after being stunned by Misto during his song, she makes a backflip, landing lithely on her lower arms and then landing smoothly with the rest of her body, just to shake her head and hop about some more...

Cori/Tanto (Oliver Tydman/Helen Harper) were more in synch than during the last performances, though they are not always moving about as one, more individuality here than in the vid. I did, however, observe a perfectly mirrored pose of those two during 'Old D' and they rise after the mating dance in one smooth movement.

*sniffles* going home tomorrow and haven't seen John Partridge - I heard he was ill, just hope he recovers quickly - Philip Michael did kinda disappear all of a sudden after February - prematurily, don't want the same thing to happen to John!