The mesmerising Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats was the very first professional musical this reviewer saw some 14 years ago, so the Blue Mountains Musical Society's version was always going to be a tough act to follow.
The local group definitely did one of the world's most loved musicals justice, the considerable talents of the singers the highlight of the production.
The singing couldn't be faulted, and the moment every Cats tragic was waiting for - Grizabella's haunting Memory - did not disappoint.
Gail Waizer's rendition was beautiful - even giving this reviewer goose bumps - and when she sang again with Jacqui Dwyer and Bella Blackwell later, the multiple voices took it to a new dimension.
The steampunk-inspired costumes were impressive and the make-up transforming human to feline was convincing. The live band on stage added depth to the performance and increased the dramatic tension.
The band may have been better placed on the floor with the audience, to provide more space on the small stage at Penrith Anglican College's Lighthouse Theatre.
The dancing was such a significant part of the professional Cats production, and the small stage did not provide the room for the choreography to flourish. Choreographer Linda Aubrecht did well with the space she had however, especially getting so many performers on stage at once and working together.
There was a great little dance routine between Mungojerrie (Ryan Henry) and Rumpleteaser (Phoebe Cameron-Lee), sung and danced well by the duo. A tap sequence choreographed by Rebecca Blackwell was a nice touch early on and Maxwell Dwyer's well-acted The Rum Tum Tugger scene was everything Rum Tum Tugger should be - cool, smooth and full of himself.
Overall, a top performance from the Blue Mountains Musical Society, in taking on one of the world's best known and most loved musicals.
The Blue Mountains Musical Society performed Cats at Penrith Anglican College's Lighthouse Theatre from November 5-9.
