The Cats performances I attended was the highlights of my London vacation. I recommend anyone who likes the music to see the performance live.

Cats is different from all other musicals I have seen since the performers are actually running around the audience. Imagine sitting in your seat and out of nowhere there's  a singer an arm's length from you. If you get a seat really close to the stage, don't be surprised if a Cat almost climbs up in your lap. (Some really funny reactions from the people sitting at the first row).

If you have seen the Cats Video you know what the show is all about, no need to tell the story. These are some personal observations from the show.

Always keep your eyes on what is happening in the background, there is a lot of interaction between the "Cats" who are out of the spotlight. If you decide to watch the show more than once you'll notice that the gimmicks differ from show to show.

One special moment was when the performers came on stage after intermission during the first show I attended. Alexandra Jay, who plays Jemima performed a perfect kitten stunt, taking a feather from a mattress in the Junkyard and pouncing it several times. I've seen my own cat doing the same thing.

Musically Cats in London is close to the Video version, the Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer routine is the same as in the Video, not the one from the Original Soundtrack.

Gus on stage is less pathetic than the video Gus, he is much more forceful even without his inflatable muscles. I finally got to see the Growltiger act, I love the Billy McCaw song, unfortunately it's no longer in the play, but the opera spoof is rather good too.

Watching Tugger live I'd realized that he's not Elvis, he might sing like the king, but his act is more like the Fonz, in Happy Days.

The really big performance was Grizabella, portrayed by Chrissie Hammond. When she came on stage and sung, well, I was completely lost. In comparison with Elaine Paige I'd say that Chrissie is much better as Grizabella. Imagine Grizabella with a deep soul voice, that is Chrissie, absolutely wonderful!

For more information about the performers, click on the "Cast" button.

Olympus C-2020Z
1/5 s, f 2.0 37mm 200 ISO