The musical *Cats* is celebrated not only for its enduring popularity but also for its distinctive artistic vision, a result of a highly collaborative creative process. From its innovative use of music to its iconic visual design and dynamic choreography, the production team worked to translate T. S. Eliot's whimsical poetry into a fully immersive theatrical experience. This involved a blend of established talent and groundbreaking approaches to stagecraft.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical compositions formed the backbone of *Cats*. He began setting Eliot's verses to music as early as 1977, initially as a songwriting exercise. As the project evolved into a full musical, Webber incorporated analog synthesizers into the orchestrations for pieces like the overture and "The Jellicle Ball." This choice aimed to create a unique electronic soundscape, distinguishing the musical's auditory world. The music, combined with Eliot's verse, became the primary focus, often at the expense of a traditional narrative structure, leading musicologists William Everett and Paul Laird to describe *Cats* as "combining elements of the revue and concept musical."
The visual aesthetic of *Cats* was largely shaped by the collaboration between director Trevor Nunn, choreographer Gillian Lynne, and set and costume designer John Napier. Nunn, initially an unusual choice for musical theater due to his "high-brow" reputation from the Royal Shakespeare Company, brought a theatrical pedigree to the project. His vision, though initially leaning towards a smaller chamber piece, ultimately embraced Webber's more ambitious scale. Lynne's choreography was integral to defining the feline movements and personalities, transforming actors into believable cats through dance. Napier's designs were crucial in creating the immersive junkyard setting and the distinctive cat costumes, which became instantly recognizable.
The development of the characters themselves was a highly collaborative and improvisational process involving the original cast. During rehearsals, many ensemble characters were created through extensive improvisation sessions. Nunn noted that this process transformed "15 poems set to music" into a show with fully developed characters, relationships, and a coherent story running from beginning to end. This organic approach to character development allowed the performers to embody their feline roles with depth and individuality, contributing significantly to the musical's unique charm.
Even the musical's title was a product of creative collaboration and design considerations. When the advertising agency Dewynters designed a minimalist poster featuring a pair of yellow feline eyes against a black backdrop, the creative team felt the original title, *Practical Cats*, didn't quite fit the striking visual. The title was subsequently shortened to simply *Cats*, a decision that streamlined its identity and contributed to its iconic branding. This attention to detail, from the soundscape to the visual branding, underscored the comprehensive artistic effort that went into crafting the world of *Cats*.
