CATS (with guest reviewers)
- writeonarts
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 9
Director: David Sidwell
Choreographers: Sonja McGirr-Garrett and Cassidy Garrett
Music Director: Nick Braae
Production Design: John Harding
Producer: Hamilton Operatic Society
Clarence St Theatre, 26 July-9 August 2025
In a Write On For the Arts first, I have roped in some guest reviewers as I am unable to review Hamilton Operatic Society’s production of Cats. Who better to review than the greatest critics of all…kids.
Plot
“There’s a silly cat and an old big cat. And beautiful cats. And dancing”
“There’s a homeless cat” (Grizabella)
“They are all cat friends”
“It is not at nighttime. They just knew where to meet”
“It’s a cat party”
“They all want to be the leader cat because he keeps going away but I don’t know where he goes but he keeps turning up again.”
“All the cats go to heaven”
Characters
“Rum Tum was so suss”
“Old Deuteronomy is the best because he’s so fat!”
“The white cat is my best because she can do the splits”
“I like the rockstar cat. No, I don’t actually like him, I LoOOvvvvVeeeE him”
"Rum Tum is really funny but he's a bit rude!"
“The green tap dancing cats are the best cats”
“Mungojerrie is a happy cat because she has a best friend to play with”
“I liked the way Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer danced and that they were a little bit naughty”
Costumes
“There were no blue cats”
“I liked Mister Mistoffellees costume the best”
“The white cat was the best because it was all white”
“The cats had collars so they must have human owners”
Set Design
“Everything looked big!”
“I wonder how they got the giant’s coats?”
Props
"Loved it all, Mum, but can you explain the shoe and yoghurt container heads?" (son to band member. Her reply "No, mate. I can't - sorry")
Music
“The music was unstoppable” (meaning there was a lot of music and not much dialogue)
“I liked the people in the background making music”
Choreography
“It was cool because everyone danced in time”
“Can you teach me how to do that backflip you did with Macavity” (son to cast member)
“You did a lot of jumping. I’ve never seen you jump in real life” (son to cast member)
“I liked the white cat because it can do gymnastics”
“Some of the cats patted me!”
Random Questions
“Has anyone brought their cat to see it because I think cats would really like it”
“Do these cats live here?”
"What did they eat to grow so big?"
"Is there a Cats 2, and are you going to be in it?" (son to cast member)
Quote of the season
“Mister Mistoffellees lives in my tv but mummy said he would be here today”
NB: The Society is expecting further pithy and insightful comments from these filterless critics, so this review will be treated as a “live document” and will be continually updated until the close of the season. 😻
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