IT WAS JUST A SHORT VISIT, BUT dahlings, it was well-worth every minute we stayed in Adelaide, Australia. The delightful company of press friends and moi with Concertus’ brilliant, dedicated managing director Bambi Rivera-Verzo and adorable Melissa Monasterio gave us an awesome exclusive chance to tour the set of the world record-breaking musical show, “Cats Now and Forever.” The longest-running and definitely the best-loved musical the world has seen in decades has been playing to a sold-out full house at the Adelaide Festival Theater since Dec. 31. In those memorable four days, we were introduced to the artists and talented personalities behind the brilliant production of “Cats”— from the members of the cast to the technical team. The production will have its Manila premiere on, take note, dahlings, July 24 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). It’s on a limited season, so make this a definitely must-go-to event with your friends and family.

“Cats” is a totally awesome inspirational musical based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poetry, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” and is among the world’s best-loved musicals that has taken over the history of Broadway in New York and West End in London. It tells the story of a group of Jellicle cats with human personalities who long to be chosen to journey into the “Heaviside Layer” to be reborn, which is sure to capture the hearts of kids and adults alike.

Two adorable superwomen achievers, Bec Windsor, the company main woman and manager, and Pene Quarry, the energetic production stage manager, were very accommodating in answering all the questions we’ve been dying to know about “Cats,” and to allow us to explore the Jellicle cats’ junkyard, where all the surprises and magnificence happen.

We were told by vibrant Sharon Case, who heads the management of 60 delicate fabulous wigs, that each handmade wig comes from yak hair, dahlings.

Pepper Teehankee sure had fun donning Mungojerrie, which Sharon herself fixed. Anton San Diego mimicked the rowdy Rum Tum Tugger, with Tim Yap following suit. The favorite Cat for most of us was hot rocker Rum Tum Tugger, who slinks flamboyantly across the stage playing air guitar—tongue out, tail spinning—a cross between David Bowie and Mick Jagger. You’ll love Tugger, for sure!

We finally did a one-on-one interview with some of the performers. “Cats,” which first opened in London in May 1981, is a phenomenal musical and the longest-running on the West End, which has been staged for 18 straight years on Broadway.

As mega-smart Igan D’ Bayan puts it: “The belle of the Jellicle ball is Grizabella, played by Australian actress Delia Hannah.” She has a voice to put you at the edge of your seat, dahlings. The once-glamorous Cat—who left the tribe years ago to explore the outside world—wants to rejoin the Jellicles but is pushed away.

She walks in all her ragged torn-coat glory, alone with her mind, revisiting burnt-out ends of smoky days. In the end, she pleads her case with that song of songs, “Memory,” melting everyone’s heart. Yes, including mine.

She’s finally accepted by the Jellicles and journeys with Old Deuteronomy to the Heaviside Layer to be reincarnated—“Her dark nights all but a memory.”

Sensation

What makes “Cats” such a sensation? Bec answered that when doing photo shoots or interviews, never stray out of character. “You will also notice that there is no orchestra pit for musicians. It was a deliberate decision by the creators because they didn’t want a divide between the Cats and the audience. A way of bringing the worlds of cats and humans together.”

Bec points to the stage floor, “which has to be polished (we had to walk gently on the floor so as not to scratch it) just right: smooth enough for the Cats to make quick cat-like movements; but not too smooth to make them slip and slide off the stage. That would be a ‘cat-astrophe,’” she laughed.

Bob Sewell informs us “that when the troupe performs in Manila, the backdrop will undergo a noticeable change.” And maybe see San Miguel beer bottles or an SM shopping bag—for local color.

Next was the head of wardrobe Ron Morrison, who showed us the costumes worn by the characters, inspired by street fashion, including the Siamese warriors in the “Growltiger’s Last Stand” segment.

“We don’t buy them from a shop,” he said laughing. We travel with two washing machines, three (specially made) dryers and detergents.”

Enter Bec Windsor. “We’re pretty much self-contained. I think we are one of the few musicals coming to Manila as a full unit.” “We arrived and perform on the same week,” said Ron.

Terrifying character

“On my first night as the character, it was terrifying. Tugger is a big, confident, sexual beast. But once you drop from the ramp, you become the character and off you go. You just keep going, and then you say: ‘I want to do it again!’” recalls John O’Hara.

John Ellis plays Old Deuteronomy, and Shawn Rennie, who has this magical, mind-boggling talon, plays the princely, energetic Munkustrap.

They chattered about their experiences, expectations, and excitement when they set foot in Manila for this majestic musical offering, most especially with our very own esteemed international performer Lea Salonga as the former glamour cat Grizabella (my favorite cat who stole my heart with her moving, powerful performance). Lea will be singing the timeless hit “Memory,” which definitely will be difficult to forget. She will be going to Australia to study the character and to capture the feelings of Grizabella’s role in this fab musical.

Six months until July, wow! And I can’t wait to see it again, palanggas.

“Cats” in Manila is brought to you by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus Inc., The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and All Youth Channels Inc. Presented by Citi and supported by Infinity, powered by Smart, Philippine Airlines, McDonald’s. OOCL is the official marketing arm. Dusit Thani Manila is the official hotel.

Here’s terrific news, palanggas, and a treat for you all! Save now by availing of Group Sales 30+ and get 10-percent discount. Concertus offers the opportunity for corporations to host their key clients, customers, staff and friends as part of a limited number of corporate hospitality evenings where cocktails will flow in a special theme area.

For more info, contact Concertus at 403-2099; e-mail concertus@ymail.com or Kitel Calvelo at 0915-9857830. For ticket inquiry, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. Contact Bambi Rivera-Verzo at 0917-5370539; e-mail scunsi@gmail.com.