Cats (Vic's School of Musical Theatre)

Well I have seen a few musical productions in my time and have been inspired to write some elaborate and auspicious words by many but, I am a little concerned that I might not have all the right observations to do justice to what can only be described as a truly breathtaking production of 'Cats' by Vic's School of Musical Theatre (the Vic in question being Vicky Addis, somebody who whilst being blessed with some talented youngsters to theatrically mould, obviously knows how to turn potential into reality on stage).

Just to fill the gap if you haven't had the 'Cats' experience yet, basically poems by T.S. Eliot set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theatre filler since the 1980s and will undoubtedly fill the Parish Rooms at Blakedown in this case, for its sadly all too short run.

So, where do I start with a plethora of engaging and characterful performances, perhaps with the captivating portrayal of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser by Kate Downes and Molly Cooper, a notorious couple of cats played by a glorious couple of performers or Izzy Pankhurst's delightful delivery of the aging Gus the Theatre Cat, following exceptionally in the footsteps of the late, great John Mills.

Maybe it should be the commanding depiction of The Rum Tum Tugger by Jay Kendall, there's definitely 'no doing anything about it' and who would want to or the star quality and audience pleasing performance of the lively Joshua Kendall as a perfect, magical Mr Mistoffelees.

Could it be a memorable and emotional performance from Imogen Perry as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, completely deserving her place, up, up, up in the Heaviside Layer or perhaps Mollie Everton's totally enthralling and energetic performance as Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat possibly it should be George Blower's larger than life representation of Bustopher Jones the Cat about Town.

Perhaps it should be Lily Wooldridge's vocally sensational illustration of Jennyanydots the Gumbie Cat or the superb narrational skills of Chloe Eastoe as Munkustrap, even the powerful portrayal by Grace Perks as The Jellicle Leader, Old Deuteronomy.

In reality it is the all encompassing experience, the talent on stage (not only the principal players but, the ensemble cats) who all sing, dance, act and manage to retain some of the most complex lyrics as if they have been doing it for years. Music by Kate Cox, it isn't a 'Live Band' but, you wouldn't know it and singing to a recording is difficult, you can't just look at the Musical Director if you make a mistake and hope they can get you out of a hole, not a single noticeable mistake at this performance, with choreography in exactly the same vein.

Congratulations to all those that also made this such an immersive experience, the whole venue draped in black and a real 'Jellicle Moon' to enjoy the 'Jellicle Ball' by the light of, it has set the bar for every other society not only high but, almost out of sight !

I know this production has been three years in the making and the determination of every individual involved to make it a resounding success is obvious and achieved with flying colours, I can only hope it won't be another three years before we see another performance, that would be a crying shame.

I believe there are three tickets available for the final performance on the evening of Saturday 28th October 2023, so if you are free ..... in fact forget whether you are free or not, grab those tickets anyway while you still can otherwise I will send Hannah Wall as Macavity round to find out why ! 

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