Sacred Heart’s production of Cats impresses Cappies reviewer
Sacred Heart students deliver energetic version of popular musical
Many a cat owner has marvelled at the odd behaviour of their feline companions. Perhaps these apparent oddities have explanations, but are simply beyond the human realm of understanding. Sacred Heart High School’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical Cats made for not only a convincing glance into the feline psyche, but also an enjoyable night.
Once a year, Jellicle Cats gather for the Jellicle Ball, a night of music and dancing. But this time, under the full moon, the ball serves a purpose higher than pleasure, for before sunrise a single cat is to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn. The praises of cat after cat are sung, serving as nominations for the honour. However, ultimate selection is decided not by popularity, but by worthiness. Adapted loosely from T.S. Eliot’s poetry anthology titled Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical borrows plot elements from the poems while simultaneously taking creative liberties.
Grizabella (Evelyn Pageau) is an old cat who, scorned by the rest of the Jellicles, longs for her past of youth and beauty. Pageau brought her character to life by effectively projecting sorrow into her voice, while simultaneously exhibiting considerable vocal talent. Emily Pilon, who portrayed Munkustrap, the cat primarily in charge of conveying the other cats’ backgrounds, displayed a wide vocal range while expressing an equally wide range of emotions.
Paul Smith exuded confidence as Casanova cat Rum Tum Tugger, presenting a narcissistic front through convincing use of body language. Old Deuteronomy is the leader of the cats, while Bustopher Jones is a pompous aristocrat who takes delight in food. Both roles were played by Nic Kuzmochka, who characterized the two individually through his vocal expression, and impressed with his large vocal range.
The performance was expertly choreographed by Kate McClelland and Sydney Anderson. Subtle movements, such as the rolls of heads or flicks of legs, contributed greatly in making the performers appear truly catlike.
Despite the large cast, movements were largely in sync, with only the occasional missed beat.
Anderson, in particular, riveted the audience’s eyes to her, with her graceful, yet obviously highly challenging ballet solos as the white cat Victoria.
The cat burglar duo of Mungojerrie (Breton Moorhouse) and Rumpleteazer (Alison Mcleod) also consistently grabbed attention as they displayed some truly magnificent acrobatic abilities.
Sound issues, such as the orchestra overpowering the vocalists and microphones cutting out, detracted from the immersive capabilities of the production, but these issues were much improved by the second act. Recorded sound effects, such as the shattering of a vase, were well executed; the timing of these effects corresponded precisely to the events occurring on stage.
It is no easy feat to costume and make up 24 cast members as effective felines, but nevertheless this feat was accomplished admirably.
Each costume varied in colour and pattern, which in itself provided each cat with a sense of individuality, while still being highly functional for the rigorous choreography. The makeup worked well from a distance, serving to emphasize the cast’s facial expressions, instead of muting them.
With the cast’s energy seldom faltering, Sacred Heart High School’s performance of Cats was a fun experience that appealed to both the eyes and the ears.