Getting catty down under

Cats are blind when they are born and they can see in the dark, claims T. S. Eliot as these are some of the first words uttered in one of the longest running musicals ever. Eliot’s book Old Possums Book of Practical Cats became the basis for the musical Cats.

Filipino media members experienced in advance the magic of Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber in the Adelaide Festival Theater before the performance gears its brilliant song-and-dance spectacular to Manila starting July 24. Cats is one of the world’s best-loved musicals and has been highly acclaimed by over 65 million people worldwide. Despite being on stage for three decades, Cats never ceases to amuse and enthrall audiences of all ages. Pene Quarry, the production stage manager, attributed this continuous enthusiasm to the changes incorporated everywhere the production goes without compromising world-class quality. Quarry added that since an orchestra pit was deliberately excluded from the stage, the performers and the audience are not divided. The audience actually get to interact, at some point, with certain cats.

We also had a special stage and backstage tour and had to see the cast warm up and rehearse as choreographed by Sharyn Winney on such an imaginative set. We checked out the costumes and even tried on the wigs!

The Cats production staff travels as a complete company with 400 costumes, 150 pairs of shoes and 60 wigs hand-made out of yak hair. Cast members James Cooper (shown in this column a few weeks back who transformed himself from human to cat) who plays Macavity and John O’Hara who plays Rum Tum Tugger are quite excited to come to Manila and be performing with Tony and Olivier award-winning Lea Salonga as Grizabella.

Our fun group went there primarily for the performance but took advantage of sightseeing, eating the wonderfully fresh and delicious seafood and meat of Australia and, of course, shopping. Concertus’ Bambi Verzo and myself, being foodies, could not get enough of Central Market with all fresh and canned foods all available under one roof!

Cats in Manila is brought to you by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus Inc., The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and All Youth Channels Inc. It is presented by Citi and supported by Infinity, powered by Smart, Philippine Airlines, McDonald’s and OOCL is the official marketing arm. Dusit Thani Manila is the official hotel.

Here’s a treat for you! Save now by availing yourself of Group Sales 30 plus and get 10 percent discount. Concertus offers the opportunity for corporations to host their key clients, customers, staff and friends as part of a limited number of corporate hospitality evenings where cocktails will flow in a specially themed area.

(For more information, contact Concertus at 403-2099, e-mail [email protected] or call Kitel Calvelo at 0915-9857830. For ticket inquiries, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph)