Theatre: Cats (★★★)

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
From Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Directed by Trevor Nunn
Design by John Napier
Music director Paul White
Choreography by Gillian Lynne
Burswood Theatre
until May 8

There’s little point in regurgitating the story of the gathering of a tribe of cats, the jellicles, under the kindly auspices of the wise and aged Old Deuteronomy to select the fortunate feline who’ll ascend to the Heavyside Layer and be given a new life.
It’s merely a vehicle – a thin and shaky one at that – to introduce the parade of characters Eliot versified.
Each, in turn, anchors a series of all-but-unrelated set pieces; when it comes down to it, Cats is a variety song and dance show.
It’s a snazzy one, though.
It’s easy to see why Cats has been so popular for so long, and why this season will sell its pajamas off, even if it’s a feast that is tastier than filling, and more spectacular than truly satisfying.
 
Read the complete review in The West Australian