The Jellicle moon is shining bright in the night sky; like a call to arms, the mouse hunters are heading southside. Uncover the secret lives of felines in Canberra Philharmonic Society’s production of Cats the Musical at Erindale Theatre, 2-18 March.

The famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, based on a collection of T.S. Eliot poems, is known for not having much of a plot. It follows the Jellicle clan as they participate in a ritual that will conclude with one feline ascending to the Heaven side layer. Macabre as it may seem, the play relies on theatrical spectacle more than plot, which has been historically well received; Cats is the fourth longest-running Broadway production in history.

“They do this 12-minute dance number, which goes through 10 different dance styles; they’re lifting each other up and doing backflips,” says musical director Alexander Unikowski.

Presenting a classic version of the beloved show, Unikowski says the amateur theatre society wanted to come back from Covid in a big way. With an enormous cast, the musical gives them the opportunity to showcase their performers through big song and dance numbers.

“It’s going to be like all the shows that Philo’s done but on steroids. There are different costumes, pyrotechnics, people flying … to create a really big spectacle,” he says.

The production promises to amaze with a custom-made set transforming the stage into a cat’s perspective of an alleyway, including dumpsters to hide and jump, shoes big enough for hats, and a trolley to push each other around. The makeup and costume designers have worked with the cast to create the perfect hand-crafted look for each role.

“We want our cats and the personalities and character that they’ve developed to come through, not just in their performances, but in their makeup looks and in their costumes,” he says.

According to Unikowski, most of the cast and crew have a fond memory of the play, whether it was seeing it on stage or one of the first productions they were part of in their school days. He first played Old Deuteronomy in a primary school production.

“It’s one of those ones that you want it under your skin, it’s a part of your background as a performer; it never really leaves you,” he smiles.

The Canberra Philharmonic Society presents Cats the Musical at Erindale Theatre, 2-18 March; philo.org.au

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