Initial questions for Cats

18th April 2015

Q1) What stage is your choreographed song at?

Gus the theatre cat is getting there, we have devised dances for ourselves and the supporting side dancers throughout the song, the movements and structure is simply as the song is slow and nicely paced.

Growtiger's last stand needs a few more run throughs to make perfect, then a run through with the props (swords) to ensure it is correctly learnt so no one accidentally hits anyone else with a bladed plastic weapon.

Q2)How well do you know lyrics?

For Gus the theatre cat my lyric knowledge grows by the day, I find the lines easier to remember if alongside the backing track.

Growtiger's last stand lyrics I'm a little more rusty on as the song is faster paced and a completely different vocal range for me compared to Gus the theatre cat. Lyrics are about 40% learnt at this current stage.

The tempo is slow in Gus the theatre cat so the tempo of the movements would be slow and well paced.

Growtiger's last stand having a faster tempo means movement and space could be used more creatively, an example of this is bigger, more dramatic movements which would have much more of a visual impact as the scene before 'Gus the theatre cat' was slow and the tempo was calm.

Q3) What thought have you given to the narrative?

Gus the theatre cat is going to be based around an event where an article has been published which speaks about his life and the song is a reflection for him to explain to the audience his past and how he was once this incredible cat.

Growtiger's last stand is based on a pirate model show where he played the clothing of Growtiger the pirate. The song is the 'performance' of the clothing as he did when he was in his prime.

Q4)Have you considered stage movement?

For both songs the movement is simply yet at different paces.

Gus the theatre cat having being slow and small movement based it was easier for choreography and stage movement to be learnt. For Cherkanah and I though stage movement was self explanatory we still new where we had to be at the end of each verse and 'improvised' our movement there between verses.

Growtiger's last stand has faster movements but they weren't too complicated, just the movements had to be strong and confidently performed.

Q5)Have you sorted costume?

I have a clear plan on costume, following alongside the initial designs from the costume unit. A grey suit with changeable ties.

Q6) Have you completed your production role?

I plan on finishing a graph on the props for the show and making a start to the props table.

Q7) Have you attended any extra rehearsals?

So far I have arrange one where no one was able to attend but have used break times and after college hours to rehearse lines and help others with choreography.

Q8) Have you cleared your diary?

I am in the process of starting a new job, something I have needed for a while now so I intend to get the dates off around rehearse and show week to ensure I do not miss anything, college > work.

- Target for performance

I want to generate a strong emotional response amongst the audience to make them feel and understand the situation of Gus', how he was an inspiration in his past and wants to go to the Heaviside layer and his Jellicle life could be just like what it was when he was in his prime.

- Further development
So far I think the message of the songs is clear and the choreography has a good structure, it's more about singing the song in tune now so hopefully the 'Gus' section of the musical is understandable and obviously encourages the audience to hope that Asparagus is the character chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer.