CATS - By TheatreBits at The Regal
Thu, 12 Apr 2007, 07:36 pmTari-Xalyr33 posts in thread
CATS - By TheatreBits at The Regal
Thu, 12 Apr 2007, 07:36 pmI went last night (April 11th) to see CATS at the Regal. And all n’ all. It was an enjoyable night. I have some honourable mentions and some not so honourable. Some possible advice and my opinion in general.
Firstly congratulations to all involved. It’s a challenge to put on any show but one with such an expectation attached to it. You all did a great job.
Secondly. Honourable mentions to
- Griddle bone & Jellylorum - Emma Shaw - you’re voice is amazing.
- Victoria - Taihla Saunders - Flexible, spineless and beautiful.
- Rum Tum Tugger - David Bowyer - Brilliant stage presence and by the looks of things quite comfortable in lycra. Lol.
- Growl tiger - Daniel Burton - Loved Growltiger. He was very well done.
- Macavity - Cassandra McNamara - wow. Lol. that’s all I can say. I don’t think you got the applause you deserved last night and I tip my hat to you.
An honourable mention also to the company - those cats who didn’t get an individual song, etc, you were a brilliant support. My particular fav’s were Aurora - Shelleyt Weir - and Chloe - Danielle Carter.
A piece of advice, Mungojerrie from last night (not sure which girl it was.) Your voice was rather strained - and thus I am assuming it was put on and is not your natural singing voice. Perhaps try and sing the role in your “normal” singing voice. Audiences are not ignorant and if they are willing will believe that you are playing a male cat even if the voice doesn’t sound “masculine.”
Munkustrap, - Ryan Taaffe - you looked a bit uncomfortable. Not sure what it was, though. Also if you noticed or not - there was one particular area of the stage that whenever you stood there your voice disappeared - interference with the mics or something which was a pity.
Jemima - whose name I’ve lost appologies - you seemed out of your comfort zone with some of those high notes which was a shame for those solo’s because they are beautifully composed.
I’ve spoken at length with the Techies about my opinion and with what they had to work with - and the problems with frequency from phones etc - they did an amazing job. And Richard I’m not just being nice. I’m being honest. Smooth over those few glitches in the first act and it’ll be perfect.
The orchestra/band (whichever you prefer) were briliant but at times - for example when the company sang The Jellicle Song - the music over powered and drowned out the performers. Perhaps fiddle with volume a bit. An honourable mention to Jessica Andrews on Clarinet (I’m a sucker for that instrument) - beautiful and full bodied are those little solo’s in CATS for the clarinet. Craig Dalton - the conductor - I tip my hat to you. Well done. Overall the music was wonderful and it was nice to hear a live orchestra/band rather then listening to tin cans rattling about.
To the costume/make-up and set designers. Congratulations on a job beautifully done. I loved the wigs - which were creatively and effectively done. Although I would attack Grizabella’s coat with some paint and scissors. It looked brand new instead of “tattered and stained with sand”. I loved Macavity’s costume in particular, the colours were amazing.
My favourite two scenes - overall - was Gus: The Theatre Cat and Growltiger’s Last Stand. David Gostlow was brilliant and I easily loved the character. And Daniel Burton - mentioned above - your Growltiger was fun to watch - he was quite comical at times. I previously hadn’t been a fan of those two scenes but now I am. Lol. So congrats.
Although I admit overall the second act was better then the first act - but I have always preferred the second act to the first anyway. The combination of songs seems to work better - well in my opinion anyway.
Congratulations again to all involved. I tip my hat to you all.
~ Tari
I too cannot comment on the
Sun, 8 July 2007, 09:10 pmI too cannot comment on the 'show itself' as I didnt watch it, although I did hear from a few of my friends in the cast, and some of my friends who went and watched the show.
By all accounts of what my friends have stated, there was no indication that the show was amatuer. This should have been stated- as it gives the wrong impression. It is funny to note that 'Wanneroo Rep' changes it name to something else, and performs at a 'high quality' theatre, charging big bucks for a show that isn't professional.
From the accounts I have heard, many of the people were disappointed as they thought it was a professional show, and that they didn't get their moneys worth.
I agree 100% with Neville. In perth, it is sad to see, that the 'professional' community in regards to performing is getting screwed on, as an amatuer or community theatre gets the rights to do a show (Cats, Evita, Miss Saigon whatever...) and what happens is- the "GENERAL community" thinks 'oh look- this is being done at the REGAL- IT MUST BE REALLY GOOD , and with Cats- the VERY EXPENSIVE prices would make one "ASSUME" that the show was a professional one.
So anyways- the end result- the professional company decides to go to Perth, and what happens....they dont do well, as the "GENERAL public" think- 'I've seen this before...was/wasn't that good...theres no point watching it again- not knowing that there can be a HUGE difference between the quality of the cast and performance.
for the record- cat's was overpriced...an awful lot overpriced- and for a community theatre...(upon which the cast didnt get paid)someone must be taking that money home each night.
I do not know any other community theatre company that charges that much money, and when u have a look at the average price of a professional/semi professional show- it really puts a light on to the issue(s) and problems WA faces.
Some of the people I know who did CATS, told me the whole process of putting the show, was extremely unprofessional and there were many things that pissed people off.
I am not attacking the performers or anything, as we as performers need somewhere to grow, and to be able to hone our skills and develop.
The issues I am presenting are more the managerial and technical elements which should be addressed, and how it is having a negative effect on theatre in WA, and other parts of Australia.
What does one do- I think that a logo should be created, which states a show it professional or not, and that production must fit all the criteria for it to warrant that logo- otherwise it must clearly state, [perhaps also with a logo] that it is an AMATUER production.
I think this is seriously needed and needs to be looked at further. That is all I have to say this cold evening....