Cats is very 'now & forever'

Adelaide, Australia — Cats: Now and Forever is a metaphorical musical with life-size felines possessing human-like traits. Before the curtain call, it challenges the members of the audience to identify their purr-sonal alter egos. As Old Deuteronomy, the Jellicle Cats leader, reminds the human spectators, “You should need no interpreter to understand our character. You’ve learned enough to take the view that cats are very much like you.”

As the pop, rock, jazz opening music commences and the lights blink in harmony with the orchestra’s rhythm, the audience’s perspective shrinks to the junkyard where the annual Jellicle Ball is held. The cats begin to crawl and sprawl the stage as they introduce themselves. For the next three hours, the audience is treated to non-stop dancing, singing and acting. It is an intense performance that shows the actors’ physical and vocal strength and a theater experience that lingers long after you’ve watched it.     

The Cats Adelaide cast will bring to Manila triple-treat entertainment (singing, dancing and acting) with Lea Salonga as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat starting July 24 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Watching the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats is never complete without Lea singing the signature song Memory.  

”It’s wonderful,” says John O‘Hara of his stint as Rum Tum Tugger. “We’ve been all over the world. (There’s) a change in audience reaction wherever we go. We’ve done Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, China and Hong Kong. It is different but is really rewarding to be part of such successful, big and iconic show.

“The kids love the show,” he continues. “I love seeing them smile and giggle. I’m happy that people enjoyed the show.”

Seeing people leave the theater satisfied is a pat on the actors’ back. But it requires tedious preparation. That’s why thespians like Shaun Rennie playing Munkustrap for three years consider Cats challenging. He says you sometimes get hurt if you’re not physically prepared. And the work begins before the show.

“We exercise a lot,” recalls John O‘. “We attend Pilates and physiotherapy. Some take ballet classes. Others go to the gym in the morning. And I run. Vocally, it is taxing so we have to drink lots of water. We do vocal warmer which our (musical) director takes us to and physical warmer with our resident choreographer.”

The actors religiously do this to be always in tip-top shape for performances at the Adelaide Festival Centre — Festival Theatre. 

Playing the part also means studying the cats’ anatomy and behavior, adds John O‘. Watching pictures and footage of Cats is also a must.

Although Cats is one of the most physically demanding musicals out there, being a cat is a must in every musical theater actor’s career. 

What interesting discoveries did John O.‘ have about felines?

“They are very territorial,” he answers. “They are loving but they have this wild, fierce side. They are loyal, aloof and independent unlike dogs which need to be loved. There’s also sexiness in them — smooth and sensual.”

 Although most musicals and theatrical productions are handled with utmost care following every letter in the book, Andrew Lloyd Webber cats can play beyond the proscenium arch and interact with the audience.   

“We are allowed (to do improvisation) within the structure of the show,” clarifies John O.’ “We can do that in between. It also depends on the audience. Like last night, the audience was loud and wild. It affected us on stage. Doing improvisation keeps (the performance) fresh and keeps me on my toes.”

How does it feel being a cat on stage?

“It is more fun than any other characters,” says John O.‘ of Rum Tum Tugger. “He functions in the show as a celebrity of sorts. He is mischievous, naughty, confident and sensual. He is all things a little bit unacceptable by the society but people like him.” Rum Tum Tugger is also a commentary on why we adore celebrities even if they go the other way.

John Ellis says his character Old Deuteronomy is “like Nelson Mandela, someone who cares for the community.” Shaun describes Munkustrap as “the protector and the young prince” of the Jellicle cat community. 

If one watches Cats, one cannot deny its appeal on everyone — regardless of age and skin color. It’s not surprising why it has been staged in theaters around the world for nearly three decades.

John E. says one can come for an amazing show or find something deeper because the Jellicle cats represent a tribe and religion. John O.‘ thinks the younger set will love the creatures in the dark and the fabulous costumes.

What also makes Cats unforgettable is the collection of wigs and costumes the Jellicle cats sport. Sharon Case says each wig tells a story. The Rum Tum Tugger’s locks reveals his rock star persona and that he is never apologetic in doing his own thing. Grizabella’s, which resembles human hair, speaks of her exploits outside the junkyard world. Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer wigs complement their troublemaker reputation. Cassandra’s tells of her aloofness.

Taking a closer look at the cats’ wigs is knowing who they are. Wig is the extension of the makeup design. The makeup and the hair must blend together to create a unique look for our fearless, feline friends. The actors do their own makeup.

The costumes, explains Ron Morrison, must be softer and light for the actors to move freely. Thus, quick costume changes won’t be a problem. The tail was designed as a belt so the cats won’t chase after it, especially in their dance sequences. Like the wig, each hand-painted costume defines the cat’s personality or “Jellicleness.” For the Cats Manila limited season, the Adelaide group will bring their own washing machines, dryers and supplies such as detergent to keep a sharp eye on the costumes.

What will the actors become if they are reborn like Grizabella who has gone “up, up, up to the heaviside layer”?

John E. wants to be an architect building something that lasts forever while Shaun sees himself as a producer.

John O.‘ wishes to “be an actor or someone in the arts. I love the arts. I think I would come back acting or directing.”

To paraphrase Old Deuteronomy, you should need no interpreter to understand why Cats is very “now” and will be viewed “forever.”

(For details, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.)