CATS - By TheatreBits at The Regal

I went last night (April 11th) to see CATS at the Regal. And all n’ all. It was an enjoyable night. I have some honourable mentions and some not so honourable. Some possible advice and my opinion in general. Firstly congratulations to all involved. It’s a challenge to put on any show but one with such an expectation attached to it. You all did a great job. Secondly. Honourable mentions to - Griddle bone & Jellylorum - Emma Shaw - you’re voice is amazing. - Victoria - Taihla Saunders - Flexible, spineless and beautiful. - Rum Tum Tugger - David Bowyer - Brilliant stage presence and by the looks of things quite comfortable in lycra. Lol. - Growl tiger - Daniel Burton - Loved Growltiger. He was very well done. - Macavity - Cassandra McNamara - wow. Lol. that’s all I can say. I don’t think you got the applause you deserved last night and I tip my hat to you. An honourable mention also to the company - those cats who didn’t get an individual song, etc, you were a brilliant support. My particular fav’s were Aurora - Shelleyt Weir - and Chloe - Danielle Carter. A piece of advice, Mungojerrie from last night (not sure which girl it was.) Your voice was rather strained - and thus I am assuming it was put on and is not your natural singing voice. Perhaps try and sing the role in your “normal” singing voice. Audiences are not ignorant and if they are willing will believe that you are playing a male cat even if the voice doesn’t sound “masculine.” Munkustrap, - Ryan Taaffe - you looked a bit uncomfortable. Not sure what it was, though. Also if you noticed or not - there was one particular area of the stage that whenever you stood there your voice disappeared - interference with the mics or something which was a pity. Jemima - whose name I’ve lost appologies - you seemed out of your comfort zone with some of those high notes which was a shame for those solo’s because they are beautifully composed. I’ve spoken at length with the Techies about my opinion and with what they had to work with - and the problems with frequency from phones etc - they did an amazing job. And Richard I’m not just being nice. I’m being honest. Smooth over those few glitches in the first act and it’ll be perfect. The orchestra/band (whichever you prefer) were briliant but at times - for example when the company sang The Jellicle Song - the music over powered and drowned out the performers. Perhaps fiddle with volume a bit. An honourable mention to Jessica Andrews on Clarinet (I’m a sucker for that instrument) - beautiful and full bodied are those little solo’s in CATS for the clarinet. Craig Dalton - the conductor - I tip my hat to you. Well done. Overall the music was wonderful and it was nice to hear a live orchestra/band rather then listening to tin cans rattling about. To the costume/make-up and set designers. Congratulations on a job beautifully done. I loved the wigs - which were creatively and effectively done. Although I would attack Grizabella’s coat with some paint and scissors. It looked brand new instead of “tattered and stained with sand”. I loved Macavity’s costume in particular, the colours were amazing. My favourite two scenes - overall - was Gus: The Theatre Cat and Growltiger’s Last Stand. David Gostlow was brilliant and I easily loved the character. And Daniel Burton - mentioned above - your Growltiger was fun to watch - he was quite comical at times. I previously hadn’t been a fan of those two scenes but now I am. Lol. So congrats. Although I admit overall the second act was better then the first act - but I have always preferred the second act to the first anyway. The combination of songs seems to work better - well in my opinion anyway. Congratulations again to all involved. I tip my hat to you all. ~ Tari