First 'Cats' Lesson

In todays lesson we all chose a song that we wanted to explore and choreograph. It didn't have a to your characters main song and it didn't have to be a song which your character is in. I chose Invitation to the Jellicle Ball, my character takes an active role in the beginning of the song and i felt like i could adapt this song so it portrays the world of fashion which is our motif for cats.

This song begins with all the cats on stage and then i begin on the cat walk and then go off into the dressing room area i do this with enthusiasm and excitement as all the cats are about to get an invite. The choreography arranged in the dressing area there will be a lot of movement with the props and clothe rails here. Then Munkustrap comes on and enters on the catwalk with invitations in his hands gives a few out to the cats next to the runway he then walks with purpose to the office block. Invitations are given out to all, well Munkustrap has finished in the office he returns to the top of the runway and the rest of the cats then gather round him facing outwards in a circle; they all should be grounded. Munkustrap continues to sing and then on the line 'who will it be' all the cats whisper the repeat and gesture there arms out towards the audience. At the end all the cats then come up to Munkustrap and thank him for the invitation in an un-orderly fashion.

As we were put into groups for the lesson in our group each one of us had a song to focus on, so that was the song i focused on. We also focused on the song 'Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats.' For this we themed the song so that it was like the preparation for the catwalk show so all the models were getting ready it begins and its calm the preparations only just begun. Then as the song continues on it gets more and more hectic and people are rushing around making sure the last minute alterations are complete. When the song opens there are 4 clothing rails 2 on one side of the catwalk and 2 on the other. Everyone is frozen until the first person sings then in canon each person at the clothing rails comes to life. After the canon is finished other people begin to come into the scene. The unordered chaos begins and people rush around the stage in time to the music trying on clothes and adjusting hair.

The third song we looked at was 'Gus The Theatre Cat'. This song is a rather slow song and goes on for 6 minutes plus. At the beginning of the song models are lined up from 3 different entrances but do not enter yet. Gus and Jellyorum enter down the runway and Gus sits or stands at the end of the catwalk whilst Jellyorum sings around him. At this stage the models are just watching as Jellyorum sing to Gus. As Gus starts to sing the models walk on slowly holding masquer masks over there faces the first model walks on and does a slow curtsy the second model comes on and swings her arms and leg around in a circle then the third model comes on and does another movement then all is repeated at the same time. This whole motif is then repeated using 3 different actions. After the motif has been repeated all the cats gather round the sides of the catwalk and listens to Gus

The final song we looked at was 'Growl-tiger's Last Stand' In this song the boat will act as the pirate ship and i believe set should be basic but built up around the sides so it takes shape of a pirate ship. Then the two main characters sing whilst cats in the office, dressing rooms begin a choreographed sword fight dance and this is the main motif for this song. People then gather round the ship and outbreak again into pairs and sword fight.

This lesson was really productive and we managed to establish themes and motifs for each song and managed to block movements and spacing for each song.