“Cats” still scratching the heart

“CATS” Teatro Politeama – Catanzaro (Italy) 18/01/2011 – A darkness that invites to silence and luminescent eyes of Jellicle Cats, which move in time to the music, make magical atmosphere straight away which introduced “Cats”, the musical that for thirty years ago dream adults and children, sharing a passion for the world’s most famous cats.

The Teatro Politeama of Catanzaro for some time it was sold out for the two dates of opera music inspired by the book of Thomas Stearns Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats “(” the book of cats Handyman “), the first being staged Tuesday 18. The Italian version, presented by the Compagnia della Rancia, is a modern rereading wanted by filmmaker Saverio Marconi e from the choreographer Daniel Ezralow, who have changed dramatically as the costumes and choreography. For this reason it is useless to make a comparison with the original version which, in some respects, it might be a loser. Despite the diversity, is the story of “Cats” to get the maximum enjoyment of the public, always fantastic and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber who manage always to excite.

It’s a surreal world of Jellicle Cats, a microcosm in which, for the annual dance, cats that show that they possess characteristics of man. So discover the Wise Old Deteuronomy, the vain Rum Tum Tugger, treacherous Macavity, petty Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, the elegant Bustopher Jones, who for his mole in Italy takes the name of Ciccio Gourmet, and still Rum Tum Tugger, Don Giovanni group, Jennyanydots, cat’s double life, peaceful by day and night, as triggered when, together with his comrades, he dances and it rolls over large balls of wool, the Thunder cat Skimbleshanks, grappling with a huge shopping cart, which brings the entire company, in what may be termed the funniest moment of the entire show, the magical Mr. Mistofeelees, skillful as cards, dice to finish to the true protagonist, Grizabella, cat from decadent beauty. Each with its own personality and with its own history, manages to steal the scene to the other in a quick succession of short stories. Cats don’t just move on stage but, between general amazement, invade the audience, by exploring its corridors and even walking on the heads of the audience amused. There is a moment of pause, the story flows nicely and fast movements of the dancers/singers felines, scenography by Gabriele Moreschi, are designed to give the rhythm that, in some moments, the text English seems to miss. Unfortunately, this is one of the limitations of our musical language, partly against the English. There are several “found” in the direction of Marconi.

The “numbers” of Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks are added those that Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer play with a giant tyres and the battle between wheel and Macavity Munkostrap. Between the first and second act another curiosity. Between the public’s initial indifference initially, Old Deteuronomy sits on the stage and act for himself, the book of poems by T.S. Elliot. But Saverio Marconi has not stopped here, managed to create a “Theatre in theatre” when reminds its elapsed Asparugus theatre and his greatest success “Jaws”, projecting images on a screen and citing local artists such as Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni, Giorgio Strehler and Dario Fo, with whom he worked in his career.

Each scene is taking place under the gaze of Old Deuteronomy, and it’s all a succession of jumps, songs and dances, in the Festival for the selection of the cat that should serve as a new life, in so many aspire to go in the paradise of cats, Heavyside Layer. The choice will obviously Grizabella, portrayed by Loredana Sartori, a time of great beauty, little kitten who now finds himself alone and in poverty after leaving the group. At the end of an always heartbreaking “Memory”, the most famous of the whole theme works with over 150 editions throughout the world, Old Deuteronomy took her hand in the Grizabella for Heavyside Layer by means of a cup wheel through a cloud that is represented by a huge sheet. The audience at the end showed enthusiasm, run the show due recognition. Long applause that confirm the quality of a musical that ever will not cease to exist. Because there is something amazing in “Cats” that makes it even more fascinating, a myth that you can’t delete.

(Photo courtesy of Antonio Raffaele)

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