Musical ‘Cats’ returns with more glitz
It’s the same cats — glamorous Grizabella, popular as a rock star Rum Tum Tugger, reliable Munkustrap and sparkly and witty Mr. Mistoffelees. But they are all renewed.
An updated version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical theater classic “Cats” arrived at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, mesmerizing theatergoers with its timeless charm.
Based on T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the musical premiered in 1981 in London and has been performed across the globe, in more than 20 languages.
While the show’s basics of telling the tales of various cats remain the same, there were a few attempts to keep the musical fresh by its original composer Lloyd Webber, director Trevor Nunn and choreographer Gillian Lynne.
The 2017 Korean production is the beginning of the show’s Asia tour, combining tweaks from the 2014 West End revival and 2016 Broadway revival.
“Cats” is a guaranteed box-office hit in Korea. The show was staged twice in Korean by Korean actors in 2008 and 2011, but the English language productions have always been much more popular. Probably in Korea, the foreignness of the feline creatures goes well with the international production performed in English. Audiences also love to hear the famous “Memory” sung in its original language.
While the other actors seem to focus on dancing more than singing, Laura Emmitt playing the glamour cat Grizabella and Brad Little playing the Jellicle leader Old Deuteronomy take on the roles of pleasing audiences’ ears.
Emmitt, who understudied roles such as Eva Peron in “Evita” and Elphaba in “Wicked,” belts out the musical’s showstopper “Memory” in a breathtaking way. Her character Grizabella also has become younger, with less wrinkles and a lighter costume.
Little who is well-known for playing Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera,” convincingly portrays the troupe’s attentive leader with a deep, full voice.
Rum Tum Tugger, played by Will Richardson, was reborn in a rapping, contemporary street cat in the 2014 London production, but the Korean producer Seol & Company chose to stick with the traditional rock star style of the beloved character. Rugger’s makeup and costume is sleeker, but his signature mane remains to draw the attention of the female cats and audience alike.
The electric magician cat Mistoffelees got a new, more sparkly black and white costume as well as new lines. In the previous production, the cat did not sing but only danced, but in the new production, the cat sings “Magical Mister Mistoffelees,” a song introducing his conjuring tricks.
The “Growltiger’s Last Stand,” performed by Gus the theater cat reminiscing his heyday, got a major makeover into a smoky jazz number. The Italian opera aria he sang with Griddelbone was also replaced by a ballad.
Tabby cat Jennyanydots and her troupe received a whole new choreography in their tap dancing with more cats joining the line dance, making the scene even grander.
“Cats” provides a rare experience of pure fantasy that only exists in the theater. As they enter the theater, the audience will be transported into the world of the Jellicle Cats where the stage is scaled for the cats and the feline friends popping up here and there on and off the stage.
Those who want to encounter more with the cat characters can choose the Jellicle seats, located in the orchestra pit and along the aisles. During the show and the interval, the cats come out and play with the audience — beware of mischief makers.
“Cats” runs through Sept. 10. The show is performed in English with Korean subtitles. Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.musicalcats.co.kr or call 1577-3363.