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From Amazon.co.uk
This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than US$2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.
The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two-and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By Flower_Child
Format:DVD
What can you say that's bad about this DVD? This is a must buy for every musical fan! I have watched this over 80 times now and i am NOT joking either, it's addictive.The plot, though not very strong is simple, once a year a tribe of Cats meets in a junkyard for the annual Jellicle Ball in which their leader chooses one of the cats to go to the Heavyside Layer where they can be 'reborn and come back to a different Jellicle life!' The dancing is superb, the singing even though not always up to scratch is excellent in the big numbers. Credit has to be given to John Partridge who makes a fabulous Rum Tum Tugger, Jacob Brent who is adorable as the magical Mr. Mistoffelees, Drew Varley and Jo Gibb as the naughty catburglars Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer and Phyllidia Crowley Smith who is a very graceful Victoria. Elaine Paige does justice to the role as Grizabella and although i have seen the stage show twice, no Grizabella can live up to hers. The Jellicle Ball is one of my favourite numbers, nearly 13 minutes of solid dance it is breathtaking (the editing of the film is not always brilliant as you do see quite a few mistakes and cameras but only after you watch it for the 50th time will these start to stand out!) and you're guaranteed to be singing Mr. Mistoffelees and memory for days after you watch it! Go and but this, you won't be dissappointed!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Lara
Format:DVD
This DVD is definately worth buying, especially if - like myself - you did not see the stage show. The performance is full of energy, and the close up shots develop character relationships very effectively.
The bonus features are also really interesting to watch, especially the making of cats, which shows you just how much work went into the show. Elaine Paige's performance as Grisabella is especially worth commenting on, as it was full of emotion and very well acted and sung.
Overall, a brilliant DVD, and one you will want to watch over and over again :)
The bonus features are also really interesting to watch, especially the making of cats, which shows you just how much work went into the show. Elaine Paige's performance as Grisabella is especially worth commenting on, as it was full of emotion and very well acted and sung.
Overall, a brilliant DVD, and one you will want to watch over and over again :)
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A number of the songs in Webber's musical rank amongst my favorite songs of all time. This musical is a fantastic mix of song and ballet that rarely bores you; pure delight. The makeup is excellent, as are the performances of the dancers. I was slightly disappointed with the video quality of this DVD, though, as it doesn't seem much better than VHS. To its credit, though, it does include a lengthy "making of" footage that fans will enjoy, as well as an interview with Webber himself.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Musical
Bought this for my granddaughter and we have now viewed it several times. It's a great musical and great music.
Published 5 days ago by Mrs. C. H. Longmuir
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
Bought for my 16 year old loves musicals great buy as my 6 year old loved it as well
Worth every penny
Worth every penny
Published 11 days ago by Kerry Muir
4.0 out of 5 stars
cats
saw the original stage production, this version lets you see things that you might missed, excellent entertainment. Read more
Published 14 days ago by valerie else
5.0 out of 5 stars
fab
watched at london theatre as a child and wanted to show the kids. reccomend to all. the kids loved it.
Published 15 days ago by Samantha adamson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Great
I Have always loved the show and seen it many times This DVD has all the old cast it Rosemary Ford John Mills
Published 23 days ago by Eunice Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
great dvd
bought this for my granson to watch before I took him to see the live show, he loved it and stills plays it and knows all the songs.
Published 1 month ago by elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Purrrh!
I was very pleased that this was exactly the same one as I had borrowed from a friends many years ago. The process of ordering is so easy and delivery came on the day specified.
Published 1 month ago by Christine Bow
4.0 out of 5 stars
classic show
one of the most popular musicals
great to be able to watch at home
a great buy and a welcome addition to my collection
great to be able to watch at home
a great buy and a welcome addition to my collection
Published 1 month ago by B Beatty
5.0 out of 5 stars
perfection
this is one of the best musicals i have ever watched. although i would recommend that you buy the book to accompany, as the plot is a little confusing
Published 1 month ago by Michael Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Always loved Cats and this was great especially Elaine Paige as seen in the theatre. Have seen it more than three times
Published 1 month ago by Lucy Smith
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