Cats in Blackpool - starring *****Jane McDonald
I first encountered Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats in London's West End. The cast was star studded and Elaine Paige was Grizabella and the late lamented Sir John Mills, old and much loved, was the theatre cat. The show was slick, new and sparkled.
Cats in rainy Blackpool in August 2015 is not that show. However I found that I enjoyed it very much.
Rum... Tum Tugger is no longer a rock star, Jon Bon Jovi man but a rapper. The children in the audience with their faces painted to resemble their favourite Cat's character liked that and I must admit I liked it too. However the traditionalists in our party were not amused by the change.
The end of part one, big dance number, was different too. It was all raw pulsating energy, not polished but then I liked that too. It had the flavour of rough alley cats, I thought. Anyway, it got thunderous applause and cat calls, bells and whistles.
Part two, for me was not quite as good. I was very disappointed in the pirate river boat cat's performance. He was too smooth and I wanted a diamond geezer, Ray Winstone, 'who's the daddy' for that cat.
Also Old Deuteronomy was very 'throaty' in his singing. That was a bit of a let down for me.
There is a 'jewel in the crown' though, in the cast. The very modest and unassuming Miss Jane McDonald was sensational. Her voice was amazing, so rich and rounded. She got and deserved rapturous applause for her number and a standing ovation. She was worthy of that because she out Paiged the untouchable diva, Elaine Paige.
The Cats danced in the aisles on the night, not Starlight Express roller skaters thundering through the audience, but, a nice touch and I was fortunate enough to get to stroke the paw of a very elegant black cat, which I hope brings me luck.
I must give the Royal Opera House praise too. Those of us in wheelchairs, like myself, were quickly and comfortably seated with our friends, which was good. Often when you go to the theatre or the movies, the wheelchair spaces are separated from the main auditorium and you have to sit with strangers.
My night out was wonderful and we all sang the songs, in the car, on the way home. Now that was a cat's choir.
jan ferrierr.