![]() " Memory" is a show tune composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Trevor Nunn based on poems by T. The Queensland Musical Theatre production easily transports its audience into a feline fantasy world of memorable music and vibrancy, for first-times and those wanting to let the memory live again alike.Song written for the 1981 musical "Cats" "Memory"įrom the album Cats: Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording In Caley Monro’s safe directorial hands, this “Cats” serves are a crowd pleasing reminder of all the reasons why the musical is so loved by those who aren’t amongst the haters. Her ‘Touch Me’ key change the stuff of goosebumps, amplified by a lighting design by Tom Dodd that takes us through its emotional phases to almost silhouette her as she joyously ascents up up up to the Heaviside layer in final plot resolution. As it should, it culminates in the show stopping ballad, ‘Memory’ which sees a broken and bedraggled Grizabella (Kathryn Bradbury) melancholically remembering her glamorous past and pleading for acceptance from the tribe. The orchestra, under conductor and musical director Michael Keen, cannot be faulted in its execution of such a multifaceted score, which is demanding in its eclecticism. ![]() And, Mike Lapot’s Rum Tum Tugger introduction is all Elvis style swagger to drive the kitties wild. Cheerful lazy-by-day Gumbie Cat Jennyanydots (Emma Hodis) provokes an elaborate chorus line tap number in ‘The Old Gumbie Cat’ and, as the original, enigmatic conjuring cat, Josh Cohrane gives us an impish ‘Mr Mistoffelees’ number, full of impressive razzle dazzle dance moves like multiple a la seconde turns. ![]() Technically demanding choreography, often based on feline movements (choreographer Jo Badenhorst) is handled with ease as each cat shares their backstory. Walsh, in particular, conveys an infectious energy as she punches into every dance move with precision.Īcrobatic dance adds energy throughout, particularly in the company’s ‘The Song of the Jellicles and The Jellicle Ball’ after Old Deuteronomy (Paul Fegan) summons the cats from the nooks of crannies of the oversized props that populate the junkyard space of Gerard Linsey’s stage design, for the celebration to begin. Their strong Cockney-accented commentary of their petty cat burglar antics causing trouble around their human neighbourhood, makes their story as clear as their personalities. On this occasion it is the mischievous knockabout clowns Mungojerrie (Amy Davison) and Rumpleteazer (Georgina Walsh) whose lively ‘Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser’ dance number is an Act One favourite, especially come its consecutive tandem cartwheels conclusion. And just as every cat is different (with unique coat-patterns and appearance thanks to Deian Ping’s costuming coordination from Renee Milton’s 2019’s design), so is its every production and thus its highlights from the anthology of numbers revealing each Jellicle cat’s story. ![]() Many older-than-that folk are returning again, such is the lure of Lloyd Webber’s score through the song and dance stories of a tribe of domestic cats on the night of the annual junkyard Jellicle Ball. Eliot, as its unrecognisable performers interact with audience members, alighting the faces of enlivened youngsters, clearly about to experience the spectacle for the first time. ![]() There is reminder of this all around at Queensland Musical Theatre’s latest production of the juggernaut mega-musical, which is based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” may be divisive, but it is also a bit of a musical gateway drug. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |