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Theatre Review: CATS - London Palladium ✭✭✭✭✭

CATS

The cast of CATS
photo by Alessandro Pinna

London Palladium 

12th December - CATS returns to London after nearly 21 years away and The London Palladium is playing host to this production for 12 weeks. 

CATS is based on 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' by T.S. Eliot and the music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical tells the tale of a group of cats called the Jellicles and on this night they make the "Jellicle Choice" and decide which chosen cat will ascent to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. 

The London Palladium stage has been turned in to a playground for cats, the amazing production of this show brings to life the story. 

During the show you are introduced to some of cats that form the Jellicles - Old Deuteronomy (who you can get a selfie with during the intermission), Rumpleteazer, Mungojerrie and Rum Tum Tugger.

Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella
photo by Alessandro Pinna
The show has had its little updates, one of which is Rum Tum Tugger, the old production of Rum Tum Tugger had a rock n roll cat, this time Rum Tum Tugger has a rapper edge and we are even treated to a rap during the song 'Mr. Mistoffelees'. The new Rum Tum Tugger works very well and Antoine Murray-Straughan suits the role perfectly. Mr. Mistofelees played by Joseph Poulton, is a cat with magical powers, an amazing dance performance comes when this cat is introduced, twenty-four fouettés en toumant, a beautiful display of dancing.

Grizabella the Glamour Cat (Nicole Scherzinger); well former glamour cat, she is now old and tired. When Grizabella was younger she left the tribe to see the world and now she is back and wants to be accepted, but is made an outcast by the Jellicles. Grizabella only appears a few times in the show, but Nicole Scherzinger makes the role her own, each time she appears on stage you are drawn to her and wishing her to sing more. Your wish is granted in the second act where Grizabella finally performs the musicals most famous song 'Memory'. It is hard not to be touched by Scherzinger's performance, outstanding vocals, extreme feeling behind every word, her performance makes your hair stand on end. Outstanding.

The whole show is an unbelievable display of talent, singing, dancing and acting. A truly mesmerizing performance, it's a shame it is not running for longer. The show finished with a very well deserved standing ovation.

Five stars ✭✭✭✭✭


LISTINGS INFORMATION           

Theatre:                           London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
Dates:                              until 28 February 2015
Box Office:                        0844 874 0667 (no booking fee)
                                      www.catsthemusical.com/london (no booking fee)
                                      www.london-palladium.co.uk (no booking fee)              
Prices:                              £20 - £59.50
Children Go Half-Price (Monday to Thursday performances, top three prices, subject to a maximum of 3 children aged 16 or under with each full paying adult)
All ticket prices include a £1.25 Theatre Restoration Levy
Performances:                   Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
                                      Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm
Nicole Scherzinger will perform the role of Grizabella from 6 December 2014 – 7 February 2015
Christmas Schedule:            Monday 22 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Tuesday 23 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday 24 December 2:30pm
Thursday 25 December no performance
Friday 26 December 7:30pm
Saturday 27 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Monday 29 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Tuesday 30 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday 31 December 2:30pm
Thursday 1 January 7:30pm
Friday 2 January 7:30pm
Saturday 3 January 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Captioned:                        Tuesday 3 February 2015 at 7:30pm
BSL Interpreted:                Wednesday 4 February 2015 at 7.30pm
Audio Described:                Wednesday 18 February 2015 at 2.30pm
Website:                           www.catsthemusical.com/london
Twitter:                            twitter.com/CatsMusical
Facebook:                        facebook.com/CatstheMusical
#CatsLondon







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