Samson: Yeah, but usually it's the customers who start reminiscing, not the landlady.
It's my pub, I'll do what I want.
Samson and Sonia: Oh boy...
As I mentioned before, I first heard Cats when my aunt brought us back the Original London Cast recording from England. That was back in 1982, I believe. I listened to that tape till I wore it out and had every word memorized. Never really had an active interest in seeing it, though, until the video came out 1998. I ordered a copy then watched it on PBS. It was wonderful! When I finally got the tape I had ordered there was a small glitch in it just before the Pekes and the Pollicles. But I couldn't bear to part with it in order to send it back for a better copy so I put up with it.
Samson: Sad, isn't it?
I watched the video an average of once per day, then every other day, and now I hardly watch it at all because I have it memorized anyway.
Sonia: Especially the movements of certain Cats.
We'll get into that elsewhere. In January of 1999 I got to see the Cats Tour IV at the Landmark Theatre in Richmond, Va. A year later I braved the big, bad city and saw the Broadway show. So enamoured was I with the latter...
Sonia: And with certain members of the cast...
...I went to see the Broadway show again in May.
Samson: And she even went to see one of the final performances in September.
Sonia: But it doesn't stop there. She still sees the show whenever and wherever she can.
Samson: She is totally obsessed!
I'm not obsessed, I'm focused.
Sonia: That's what she tells the shrink anyway.
Nancy: What shrink?
Samson: Dr. Mau. Who else?
Nancy: Oh, her.
Well, if anyone is interested in sharing my memories, click on the links below for reports of my Cats trips. But be warned, they are very thorough.
Nancy: That is, long-winded.
Well, I'm a writer and a nitpicker. What else can I say?
Samson: We can think of something...
Hush! Okay, because I just can't get enough of certain performers, I have been following them to the other shows they have done following Cats.
Sonia: (gasps) There's life after Cats?
Hard to believe but true. Reports of those trips will be found below. Also, there is my Broadway gallery if you want to see pictures. And now I have a Foreign Cats gallery as well! Enjoy!
But before you begin, a disclaimer. I am not a professional reviewer or critic, that's why I call these reports. Nobody's paying me to do this, and I feel I have the right to speak my mind about the performers that I like or don't like. Bear in mind I am an amateur performer myself, so I try to be sensitive to the feelings of those that I critisize. But what it all comes down to is that I am expressing my opinion, to which I have a right just like anyone else. If your opinion happens to be different from mine, that's your prerogative, but please do not get upset with me for it. I am speaking to fans and performers alike. That said, please enjoy sharing my memories, and if you have comments, don't hesitate to e-mail me. WitchCat07@yahoo.com
London trip, May 2002 (I saw Cats four times, including the screening of the final/21st anniversary show in Covent Garden, so this report has been broken into six parts, starting with the T-shirt incident.)
And for those truly interested in what I did with the time that I was in Europe that I wasn't watching Cats, I've written (long) reports of that as well. Read at your own risk.
