Following its triumphant season in London’s West End, the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical CATS has come to Australia for a strictly limited season, starring Delta Goodrem as Grizabella.
Debuting in 1981, CATS is one of the longest running theatre productions in history. After seeing the show for the first time on Sunday night, I can see why the world has fallen in love!
As one of the rare few who hadn’t experienced the phenomenon that is CATS before, I was immediately impressed– the live orchestra, set staging, acrobatic performers and location inside Melbourne’s iconic Regent Theatre was the perfect recipe for a great night out.
So what is CATS about? Based on a book of poems by T.S. Eliot called ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, the musical tells the story of a group of cats called “The Jellicles” on the night they gather and make a serious choice – they decide which cat is special enough to ascend to the ‘Heaviside Layer’ and be reborn into a new life.
And you can’t mention CATS without mentioning the stand out show tune “Memory”. Performed by luminaries including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Barry Manilow, Deltra Goodrem handles this iconic song with ease. It was definitely one of my favourite moments of the performance, and there were so many to choose from!
As a 2015 Olivier award nominee, hit revival CATS has just been reworked by the original creative team for its most recent season in the West End, and received excellent reviews and extended its season due to overwhelming demand.
CATS will play in Melbourne until January 24, when the show will depart for Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
This post is proudly brought to you by Nuffnang and CATS.
Vicki
Saw this in Sydney a few months ago, Delta’s voice just amazing … we loved it!
Emily Collie
Such a great show – glad you enjoyed it too Vicki!