Cats / our review

magical MYSTERIOUS Iconic

Dec 8th, 2015

Wendy Fynn

Wendy Fynn

Unmissable! An icon returns with a different kind of Cat

To say that Cats is a theatre icon is something of an understatement - I think that point was established in 1981 when the show first opened on the West End and not only scooped up two Olivier Awards (including Best New Musical) but went on to run for a further 21 years, an impressive feat for any production. Fast forward three decades from the Eighties to the Noughties and beyond, and this magical, mysterious gang of Jellicles still have a place in modern audiences' hearts - albeit with a few tweaks to their feline fervour.

For Sir Lloyd Webber, the timing couldn't be more perfect. This revival of Cats is being housed in the grand Palladium Theatre which is conveniently a stones-throw from Oxford Street, its lights and the bustle of Christmas. The setting adds perfectly to the magic of seeing a show as iconic as Cats once again at home on the West End. Scheduled for an eight-week run, the show has just enough time to lure in holidaymakers before setting off on a UK tour. And personally, I wonder if this short run isn't the best thing for Cats. Being produced in an age where audiences expect more from a show and are no longer satisfied with just the unusual (oh no, we want a brand new experience every time), a permanent production might not be able to stand up against the competition of its West End neighbours, annual imports from Broadway and the big screen, and an Internet-age audience whose tolerance for whimsy without an obvious narrative only lasts as long as our (ever decreasing) attention-spans.

That said, like all good revivals, this production of Cats has updated some of the characters to appeal to modern audiences both young and old. The most obvious example being the Rum Tum Tugger, the "bad boy" of the Jellicle clan who was a glam-rock cat a la David Bowie in the 80s but is now a Dizzee Rascal-eqsue rapper complete wiv a Souf London accent, yeah, and a neck full of bling. His dancing diffuses the incredibly elegant and well-choreographed displays of his peers with some serious street moves, something the younger audience members will recognise and enjoy immensely.

Of course the most talked-about character choice of the production is the casting of Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella. Once a beauty queen, poor Grizabella is now a shadow of her former self in all senses - her coat is in tatters, her voiced pained and, shunned by the other cats, she lurks self-consciously on the outskirts. Scherzinger on the other hand comes across in the public eye as anything but those things, a clever move which makes us more convinced of Grizabella's past beauty and a lot more sympathetic of her longing to return to better days.

Still largely known by her pop star and Pussycat Dolls roots, Scherzinger has shed this persona with amazing success and emerged to be a bona fide theatre actress. For me, this was cemented during the highlight of the show when she performed the song made famous by Cats, the haunting "Memory". I was expecting to hear an X-Factor version but instead Scherzinger delivered something a lot more substantial and convincing, with power and a vocal range that would be at home in any of the most well-known West End and Broadway productions. And while she indeed shines in this unmissable revival, her performance is by no means the glue holding the show together - impeccable dance, surreal costumes, and excellent vocals are more than enough to drive the crowds to Cats sans Scherzinger.

Review by Wendy van de Weg, show attended on Monday 8th December

Audience suggestion

Adults and older kids will enjoy Cats - it may be a bit too long in places for very young children, though they will love the costumes and characters. With Oxford Street on-hand and a great selection of restaurants, some pre-theatre shopping and/or dining is easy, making a trip to see Cats a great date night too.

Our theatre tip for Cats

Pick up a programme beforehand and have a cast member sign it on-stage during the interval - when we watched the show it was none other than Old Deuteronomy himself!

Memorable Cast Mentions

Callum Train is superb as Munkustrap, the nimble grey cat who narrates part of the story and acts as Old Deuteronomy's second-in-command.

View our show pages for more information about Cats, London Palladium.

Cats, London Palladium, London

Cats

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London Palladium: Closed Jan 2, 2016

One of the world's best-loved musicals returns after a short summer hiatus! First staged in 1981 at the New London Theatre, Cats entertained audiences for 21 YEARS, winning the 1981 Olivier and Evening...more info

Book TicketsBook tickets for Cats, London Palladium, London

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