Cats is one of those concepts that remains in the purgatory between “what madness is this” and “this is absolute genius”. Admittedly, I have mostly leaned towards the former for the most part and, after having re-watched it at Sands Theatre this season, I’m… still quite lost.
Don’t get me wrong. From concept to execution, Cats is a trail of musical and theatre genius–nothing less than what we would’ve expected from the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, obviously. Adapting T. S. Eliot’s collection of poetry, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”, into a musical is truly a mark of shuttling between the aforementioned madness and genius.
And, what began as an exercise in songwriting has clearly shown its prowess and staying power with over 40 years of performances, featuring unforgettable numbers and awe-inspiring choreography. What the Cats does offer with spectacle, however, is more than lacking in any real plot, forgivable only because it was never the objective nor the intent with this musical.
Ironically, despite being an adaptation like other works by Lloyd Webber, Cats is somehow the most him in its unadulterated focus on melody and arrangement.
There is some semblance of a plot, stitched from character to character, a narrative held together only by the loosest thread. A tone of melancholy has always assisted in lending a structural spine to Cats’ sequence of events.
A stronger highlight, still, is the set. While space remains the strongest detractor of the Sands Theatre stage, Cats’ singular, highly detailed set brings the stage to life–furthering the effect is the cast’s constant presence across the audience, prancing their way between the aisles, launching the experience off-stage.
Confounding as it may be, Cats is an icon of the theatre, and is a definite must-watch for any who would want to complete their experience of legendary performances.
Cats runs until November 22 at the Sands Theatre. Get your tickets here.