Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous and timeless West End musical Cats is being brought to Dubai for the first time this month, by Spotlight Academy at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates.
The production of the award-winning show runs from tomorrow until Saturday, with a mix of local talent and some of the US and UK's leading theatrical stars, under the direction of the Dubai-based Ductac manager Joseph Fowler (Sweeney Todd, West Side Story).
The show
Since its debut in London's West End in 1981, Cats went on to become one of the longest-running musicals in both British theatre and on Broadway.
Based on TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Cats is set in a "magical junkyard" where each cat is trying to win over the leader, Old Deuteronomy, who is holding auditions for a prize journey to the Heaviside Lair, to be reborn.
"Cats is a collection of stories within a story, during which the audience is introduced to many different types of cat. The costumes are important, as is the set, designed by Jaimie Todd," says Fowler, who has worked with stars such as Dame Shirley Bassey and Liza Minnelli.
One of the messages of the show, he adds, is that the cats, no matter how different they are, still belong to the same group. This makes the show a timeless classic and as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
"It's a particularly interesting theme to explore here in the UAE, where our own community is so diverse," says Fowler. "The show is packed with great music, superb dancing and unique talent."
Approximately 85 cast and crew members make up the production, and although Fowler admits they have a lot to live up to, he is confident the diverse and talented team will meet expectations. "Dubai is an exciting cultural crossroads and it's my intention to reflect this in future events and productions," he says.
The cast
For the British actor Michael Cotton (West Side Story, My Fair Lady), it will be his first time performing in Dubai. Cotton, who describes the show as "iconic", is playing the role of Munkustrap.
"Munkustrap is the leader of the tribe. Their safety and well-being are his most important job. I think everybody can relate to caring for their family. I hope I capture that in the show," he says.
Although the show is an introduction to all types of cats, the actor believes the overarching theme is acceptance of others.
"There is one cat who is an outsider and is disregarded by the tribe because of her appearance. Will she be accepted?" asks Fowler.
Music and movement
Like no other composer, Lloyd Webber has the ability to write timeless tunes that touch people of all ages and backgrounds, according to the musical director Bjorn Dobbelaere (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera).
"The reason is, of course, that every note, every phrase and every melody or harmony is part of the story he's telling. Without showing off his obvious skills, without overly intellectualising things, his music goes straight to the heart of the story, accompanies it and lifts it," says Dobbelaere.
Each character demands its own style of music, making it the most important aspect of Cats. Everything, says Dobbelaere, either "stands or falls with it".
For the show's choreographer Cressida Carré (The King and I, The Witches of Eastwick), the most powerful choreography takes place at the Jellicle Ball, because of the range of styles of dance encompassing all themes.
"It's the pinnacle of the musical from a dance perspective," she says. "In any musical, the choreography is essential but, because of the nature of Cats, it's even more vital, as it really is what defines each character. There is no spoken dialogue, only lyrics set to music, so the characters speak and let us know who they are only using their bodies."
The Dubai performance will stay true to much of the original choreography of Gillian Lynne, says Carré, because it is so intrinsic to the musical.
Cats will be performed at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates from tomorrow until Saturday at 8pm. Tickets cost Dh175 for the stalls and Dh150 for the balcony, available at the box office or from www.timeouttickets.com. For details, visit www.ductac.org.
