Why ‘Cats’ is a Musical Audiences Love to Hate
‘Cats’ the musical, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” has been both a commercial success since its debut in 1981. Yet, over the years, ‘Cats’ has copped a lot of slack. Lauded by many for its innovation, it has also been the subject of much criticism. But why? Here we explore five reasons audiences love to hate this 40-year-old musical:
- Lack of a Strong Narrative: In the realm of musical theatre, audiences often anticipate a gripping, or at least cohesive storyline. ‘Cats,’ however, diverges from this norm. Instead of an easy-to-follow plot, the musical presents a series of vignettes, each introducing a different cat. While this structure offers a showcase of diverse characters, it can also come across as disjointed, leaving some viewers yearning for more depth and connection than the concert style allows.
- Phobias Combined: The spectacle of performers embodying singing and dancing cats, each narrating their tales, can strike many as peculiar. For others, it is downright horrifying. Statistics suggest that 10% of adults will experience a phobia of animals at some point in their lives. Ailurophobia is the fear of cats, automatonophobia is the fear of human-like figures and masklophobia is the fear of people in costumes or masks; for someone with all three combined, ‘Cats’ is a real-life nightmare.
- Repetitive Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s compositions for ‘Cats’ are undeniably catchy. However, while tracks like “Memory” have achieved iconic status, others in the musical have been criticized for their repetitive nature. Some audience members leave the theatre with a sense that the score, though melodic, lacks the variety they crave.
- Done to Death: Success can be a double-edged sword. The immense popularity of ‘Cats’ has led to countless performances worldwide. But with such overexposure, many theatregoers feel a sense of fatigue. What was once a novelty can become wearisome when done ad nauseam – think ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Grease’ – how many times is too many?
- Nothing Compares: With a repertoire as impressive as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, comparisons are inevitable. Classics like ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Evita’ set a high bar. For some, ‘Cats’ pales in comparison, overshadowed by the maestro’s other masterpieces.
While ‘Cats’ has its share of detractors, it’s essential to remember that art is subjective. What one person adores, another might disdain. And in this dichotomy lies the beauty of the theatrical world.
Love to hate it or hate to love it, for this writer ‘Cats’ is the right amount of fun, cheesy and feelgood.
