EntertainmentTheatre

Cats at the Princess Theatre Torquay Review

CatsCats
Princess Theatre, Torquay

30 August to 3 September 2016

www.atgtickets.com/torquay

Reviewed by Linda Pickford

Last night I went to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats at the Princess Theatre in Torquay. I arrived to find an already excited audience, with some dressed up as cats complete with whiskers. It was a delightful sight and I was pleased that everyone had come prepared to enjoy the evening. They were certainly not disappointed. Right from the start with a giant rubbish dump spilling into the audience the scene for the “Cats” to come spilling on stage from all directions was set.

The children were thrilled and stayed entranced throughout the whole performance. The dancers specifically picked out the children throughout the evening, Deuteronomy even sat on stage during the interval for the children to meet him.

Cats is based on T S Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. While at times I had difficulty with hearing some of the lyrics it did not take away my complete enjoyment of the enthusiastic dancing and singing. I couldn’t believe how some of the dancers managed to instil cat movements into their every move. Very impressive. Their energy throughout the whole performance was awesome.

The cats meet up once a year to celebrate being “Jellicoe” cats. They leader is Old Deuteronomy who they hold in great esteem. Tonight he will choose the cat who will be reborn into a new life. We are slowly introduced into the life of the Jellicoe cats and are told that they have three names:

Their Family Name
Their Dignified Name
Their Secret Name

As the evening progresses we meet various members of the group. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, a pair of youthful troublemakers who are always getting into scrapes. Gus the old theatre cat who regales us with stories of his past theatre performances. Victoria, the white cat, who dances with such precision and of course many others including the villain Macavity and the “Magical” Mr Mistoffelees who saves the day.

It is nigh on impossible to pick out a special performance because they were all excellent but I do feel that a mention must be made of Grizabella played by Marianne Benedict. Her depiction of an aged old glamour cat shunned by all the others was superb as was her rendition of the song “Memory”.

The show finished with a much justified standing ovation. Take the opportunity to visit the Princess Theatre to enjoy this yourself. The theatre is situated on the beautiful Torquay seafront and you are always given a welcome by the lovely staff. There is plenty of parking nearby but do get there early, in fact why not treat yourself to a meal before the performance. The theatre has their own bistro and there are other restaurants nearby.

Rating: 5/5 thumbs_up

Tickets cost from £15 to £44.50 (plus £4 transaction fee).

Cats is at the Princess Theatre in Torquay until 3 September 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3023.

Princess Theatre, Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 5EZ | 0844 871 3023

5Star

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