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Feline and Fabulous!
1st July
2008
By Gemma Foster
Kitties will be out past their curfew in Melbourne’s west as Altona
City Theatre lick their paws and prepare to open the Andrew Lloyd
Webber classic, Cats. The musical, first staged in
London’s
West End in 1981, has proven to be a technical and musical treat for
the crew in Altona. I spoke with director and choreographer, Steven
McTaggart and producer, Peter Goad as they add the final touches to
the Jellicle Ball and make sure the Whiskas is on tap...
Steven first performed in the original production of Cats in
Hamburg, Germany for over two years, eight times a week. It was
staged by Jo-Anne Robinson, who was responsible for the Australian
production that toured nationally. “I played five different roles
in that production, which gave me a broad understanding of the
variety of character and plot lines and how the choreography and
direction link so closely together,” says Steven. “It is exciting
to hope that I can give the cast the exposure to the original
intentions of the direction, choreography and character, whilst at
the same time bringing my own perspectives and interpretations of
the show as a whole.”
Steven has spent months preparing and perfecting the feline
qualities of his cast and their choreography. “As a professional
dancer, I love the physicality of the production. I also relish the
challenge of delivering such a complex show to my cast, which
requires us all to communicate the symbolic and dramatic elements of
the storyline. It is a production where the performers are
continuously dancing and acting in their roles, doing both
improvised and learnt actions. There is a great freedom in which
performers can elaborate and develop their roles, once they
understand the boundaries of their characters.”
Cats has given Steven the opportunity to both direct and
choreograph the one show - a practice becoming more and more common
in musical theatre. “Being both Director and Choreographer gives me
greater involvement in how I want the intention of each scene to be
expressed, and makes the working process more efficient, even though
it is twice as much activity for me. It means that information about
sets, costumes, casting etc is easier to assimilate when I am in
both roles, and ideas can be developed more efficiently as I only
have to seek my own approval!”
Altona has added a fresh twist to this production, “Our
production is set in a disused and derelict Theatre, as opposed to a
rubbish tip, and we have a slightly different mix of roles to
maximise the skills and versatility within our cast. I think that
one of the strengths of this show is that I am working from the
intentions and expressive styles of an original production. I think
that passing on first hand knowledge of the choreography, direction,
costuming and musical interpretation is a precious opportunity that
will mean a fantastic experience for audience and cast alike.”
And finally, what have been the highlights of this Cats experience?
“I have to say it is working with our cast. It is inspirational to
have such a high level of enthusiasm, skill and energy to work with.
The highlights of rehearsals are the moments we achieve excellence
and unity in our work ...... these moments are very exciting”
Producer, technical director and Altona committee member, Peter
Goad is equally amazed by the Cats cast – “From a very early stage,
the singing has been excellent, the dancing has been exciting -
sometimes breathtaking - and the entire cast and production team has
run like a well oiled machine. We know we have an artistic success
on our hands. We believe that, inevitably with such a brilliant
piece, ACT will have a large and very excited and satisfied
audience. Nobody associated with Cats has ever been quite so
excited quite so early in rehearsal with any previous production at
ACT.”
Peter also filled us in on the scope and magnitude of ACT’s
production. “Cats is always a difficult show because it does not
have the luxury of a cast of humans, a traditional plot nor the
traditional theatre format. What it does have is some beautiful
poetry, some enchanting music and the cuteness of cats! It is
normally produced with a feast of dancing and some good singing.
ACT promises some of the best dancing and singing seen in
non-professional theatre, combined with powerful characterisations
that are rarely seen in Cats productions. Steven McTaggart has
raised the bar to a new level in regards to this show! The breadth
and power are subtly blended with the intimacy and expressiveness in
Cats.”
“I can promise that some of the performances will make you weep,
some will make you smile, but best of all, some will thrill you with
their scope.”
Now I for one am more of a dog kind of gal, but I will be making
the journey across the West Gate to view what promises to be one of
Altona’s most exciting projects to date.
Cats opens Friday 4th July at Altona Theatre. Check out
our What’s On section for
details. |