Theatrical challenges no cat-astrophe for purr-formers

Friday 05 April 2019

A cast of 30 local dramatists have triumphed over the challenge of staging 'Cats' - despite not being allowed to call upon the original show's choreography or costumes for ins-purr-ation.

After months of rehearsals, Jersey's Green Room Club last night opened their 11-day run of the feline-themed hit Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical at the Opera House.

Based on 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' by T. S. Eliot, the entirely sung-through musical follows the story of a feline tribe known as the 'Jellicles', as they decide which cat will be reborn into a new life - a process they call 'the Jellicle choice'.

The amateur club was very proud to have been granted the licence to put the show on stage by the Really Useful Group based in London. They called upon Christophe Chateau, a local dancer, performer director and choreographer, to put on the production.

Putting on the all-singing and dancing story has taken two years of planning and three months of rehearsals, during which Mr Chateau was helped by his side-kick Jason Loveless, another well-known face on the local dance and performing scene.

But there were some paw-tential pitfalls to overcome, with the pair tasked with the challenge of bringing to life the stories of Grizabella, Old Deuteronomy and Rum Tum Tugger under strict conditions.

Pictured: The cast of over 30 performers has been rehearsing for the past three months.

One was that the club were not allowed to use the logo or colours from the original production artwork; another was to make sure all the costumes, wigs and choreography were all ‘original’ and in effect their own work. 

"Although it would have been lovely to have used some of the original and iconic choreography from Gillian Lynne, it gave us the opportunity to get our creative juices flowing and really push our local cast with brand new choreography," the director commented.

This is the first time a full-scale version of the T.S. Eliot inspired show has taken to the stage in Jersey and the dozens-strong cast of performers were very excited ahead of their opening night.

Over the past three months, they have been hard at work rehearsing their routines and songs - with extra care taken over flagship ballad 'Memory' - while others scurried behind the scenes organising costumes, make-up, scenery, lighting and sound design, in addition to many technical elements.

"The cast have all worked so hard," Mr Chateau said. "The rehearsals have been intense and Jason and I have really pushed them. I think the audiences will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of local talent on display. I’m immensely proud of the entire production team, we have many unsung heroes off-stage who you never see, and I can’t wait to see this magical show come together on stage."

The production will run until 13 April.