Review: CATS, New Wimbledon Theatre, 10 November 2016

Cats is a strange phenomenon. Despite the fact that there's no real plot, its infectious songs and legendary choreography have meant that it's been playing around the world almost constantly since 1981.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats explains how, on one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball, after which their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, chooses who goes to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn into a new life.

Trevor Nunn is back helming this revival. Such an old production could feel dated by now, but this show sizzles with energy. The junkyard set is colourful and scattered with oversized everyday objects including newspapers, food wrappers and old cars. Many of the cast slink through the stalls at various points in the show, giving the audience an immersive close-up of their feline movements and stunning costumes.

It's difficult to get away from the absence of plot and the first act suffers most from the lack of narrative. Songs flow neatly into each other, but there is an emptiness at its core. Act Two is more fluid and fun, and there are several songs that stand out.

Helen Turner and Megan Armstrong play Demeter and Bombalurina particularly strongly in "Macavity". Their feline flirtatiousness is infectious and the mirroring of their movements is immaculate.

Marianna Benedict plays a brilliantly sympathetic Grizabella, the cat shunned from the rest of the group. There is no vanity in her performance and her broken body displays all the sadness reflected in her voice, which has a beautiful richness and tone. It instantly reminds the audience why "Memory" is the most recognised and beloved song from this show.

Although pretty faithful to the original production, there have been a few tweaks. Gone is the song featuring potentially offensive Asian accents of the Siamese cats. One update that is less successful is making the 'bad boy' rock character, Rum Tum Tugger, into a rapper. Marquelle Ward's swagger is too amiable and his body language does not convince in the role. The music for "The Rum Tug Tugger" song also needs more adaptation than adding a few record scratches to reflect any influence of rap.

Gillian Lynne's choreography of this production is what creates the theatrical magic and the execution is almost flawless. The cast has a beautiful synergy, which makes the dancing the most gripping part of the show. The cast all inhabit their feline roles wonderfully, but Shav Rabheru and Sophia McAvoy as Mistoffelees and Victoria are seemingly made of rubber; their balletic bodies are so lithe and sinuous, they bend and form into incredible shapes.

Lucy Howden's costume design and Karen Dawson's make-up is as fantastically detailed as you might expect, adding to the illusion that the stage really is filled with graceful and fluid-moving cats.

This production looks amazing and sounds great, but overall substance is lacking. This is not a fantastic musical, but it's a great show and a lot of fun.

Cats is at New Wimbledon Theatre until 12 November

Photo Credit: Alessandro Pinno

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