The Lowvelder

The cat is out of the bag - these felines put on a fabulous show

- Alex Etsebeth and Samu Skhosana. Arisa Janse van Rensburg

MBOMBELA - Some say cats are sneaky, some say cats are kind. But the cats of Hoërskool Bergvlam’s Catz Unlimited were all of that as well as brilliantl­y entertaini­ng.

These felines put on a fabulous show with the musical, based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, that played on the school’s stage during the week.

The show takes place in a dark alley that comes alive after dark when cats of all shapes and sizes come out to play.

This is also where the cats gather for the annual Jelicle Ball - an event during which the cats’ leader, Deuteronom­y, selects one cat for the ascension to the Heavyside layer.

The former glamour cat, Grizabella, is desperate to be chosen and after her run-in with the evil cat, Macavity, her fate lies in the hands of Deuteronom­y and his clan.

At the end, Grizabella was indeed embraced by the clan and uplifted by Deuteronom­y.

The story was told by two mice who, with their wit and quick wips, gave the story new life.

Apart from musical classics like “Mister Mistoffole­es” and “Macavity the Mystery Cat”, the show also included modern hits like “Kaptein”, “Who Painted the Moon?” and “Tussen Treine”.

A tender moment in the concert was when Michaela van der

Merwe sang one of the musical’s most famous songs “Memory”.

Her performanc­e nearly drove the crowd to tears.

The costumes and makeup of the production were also spot on and made one feel as if you were indeed surrounded by a merry band of cats. The lights and visuals also added to the mood and suited the production perfectly.

 ??  ?? Michaela van der Merwe. Insert: Lebo Makoena and Annie Britz.
Alix Kinnear
Lonita Swift.
Michaela van der Merwe. Insert: Lebo Makoena and Annie Britz. Alix Kinnear Lonita Swift.

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