5 STARS, March 13-17. Richard Davies is thrilled by Cats – The Musical at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Robert Workman
If you’re one of the lucky people who has booked a ticket to see the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) production of Cats – The Musical at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, then you’re in for a treat. I realized that something was afoot when I couldn’t find a parking space anywhere in central Guildford on a Monday night. When I finally arrived at my seat in the packed theatre, I at first thought someone had resorted to parking on the stage. It turned out to be part of the set, a back alley scrap yard and perfect setting for a feline forum, famously inspired by TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.
Cats, as we all know, is a massive West End show from the Andrew Lloyd Webber stable and the Yvonne Arnaud was bursting at the seams to accommodate it. But it worked and I loved how they turned the theatre’s limitations to their advantage. At various moments in the show, the cats escape from the confines of the stage to prowl the aisles, exploring and laying claim to every available space, demanding individual attention from audience members – as of course cats are inclined to do.
Robert Workman
The dancing is a joy throughout – a very high standard indeed. I learned from the programme that the production uses the “iconic” original choreography created by Dame Gillian Lynne. It is also expertly directed by Chrissie Cartwright, who has staged the musical all over the world. In fact, everything about this amateur production is professional in quality, the lighting, the band, the costumes and the make-up. Of course what makes the show is the cast. I know Cats has its detractors (people who don’t like cats, people who expect a bit more story for their money), but when you see a young, talented group of performers singing, acting and dancing their hearts out, you’d need a heart of stone not to be moved.
Part of the appeal of the show for a performing arts college is that it gives so many individuals an opportunity to shine. There was a wealth of talent on display and I am sure that West End casting directors will be hotfooting it to Guildford to see for themselves. Darragh Cowley was outstanding as Rum Tum Tugger, filled with a cocky swagger and demonstrating clear potential as a lead actor, as did Will Carey as a highly entertaining Shimbleshanks.
Robert Workman
The comic turn of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser was also a delight, performed by Aidan Harkins and Annie Southall, who in particular lit up the stage with her energy. Mary-Jean Caldwell as Grizabella, the faded Glamour Cat revealed an awesome, soaring voice in the show’s best known song, Memory. I also loved the dancing of Dillon Scott-Lewis as Macavity. But best of all amongst the dancers was Luke Fraser Yates as Mistoffelees, a tall chap whose astonishing leaps would surely make him a candidate for the UK track and field team in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Overall, this show is a triumph and I congratulate the team for their vision and ambition. I have no doubt we will see a lot more of some of its young stars on bigger stages in years to come. My only regret is that I can’t urge you to go and see it, because unsurprisingly, all tickets are completely sold out!
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