CATS revival scenic design vs Original Broadway Scenic design — Page 2

Natasha Katz's lighting is gorgeous and includes a lot of almost video-like projections on the deck.

I also thought the lighting was amazing and the floor projections we're really cool. There's a projection designer listed in the playbill so I bet it wasn't all just plain lighting and was a lot of video projections. Really cool usage!

EvanK said: "Those photos are great but I do not understand how it worked... Did the seats and stage rotate? Where was the set and the four rows that rotated at pre show? I can't picture how it worked or where everything was at start of show.



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From how I remember it (more than 20 years ago), the rotation wasn't anywhere close to a full circle, more like maybe from 8 o'clock to 6 o'clock max (if that makes sense). Teheran set was therefore only slightly turned in to where it would be for the full show. I sat in front row left, in the block not directly at the aisle to the stage. Was just a little trick, but forgettable compared to the real show.

Here's a picture of the Original Broadway set model that I scanned that was mentioned earlier in this thread. Unfortunately it was shot in black and white and it's difficult to see very much detail. Also, the model obviously didn't contain a true representation of the theater seats.

See, I think I might enjoy Cats with a little big of production value involved. I've only seen the tour and just didn't quite get the excitement of it.

Did the seats rotate for the entire run? Was it always in that theater? Cool that they used an unconventional space. Too bad NYC doesn't have more spaces like that - given that the Tonys are only Broadway productions. Would be cool to see what they could do with the Armory or something.

RippedMan said: "See, I think I might enjoy Cats with a little big of production value involved. I've only seen the tour and just didn't quite get the excitement of it.

Did the seats rotate for the entire run? Was it always in that theater? Cool that they used an unconventional space. Too bad NYC doesn't have more spaces like that - given that the Tonys are only Broadway productions. Would be cool to see what they could do with the Armory or something.



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The original London run did stay in that theatre with the rotating seats for its full run. (Incidentally the CATS theatre they built specifically for the show in Japan replicated it but with, Ibelieve, most of the seats on the revolve. I've never been able to find out how long CATS ran there, but it was a very long time at any rate--a bit like the German theatre built specifically for Starlight Express which is still running).


Random coincidence about The New London Theatre (as it was called). Where it stood is where London's Winter Garden Theatre used to be.

As Wiki says: " Designed by architect Paul Tvrtkovic and scenic designer Sean Kenny (Blitz!, Oliver!, Pickwick (musical)), modelled after the Walter Gropius Total-Theater, and seating 960 on 2 levels, the theatre's auditorium first opened with a television recording of Marlene Dietrich's one-woman show.[11] The theatre officially opened on 2 January 1973 with a production of The Unknown Soldier and His Wife starring Peter Ustinov. It then hosted Grease, starring Richard Gere as Danny. Beginning in 1977, the theatre was used as a television studio for several years and then returned to use as a theatre.[11] The theatre's biggest hit was the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn musical Cats, choreographed by Gillian Lynne which premièred in the theatre on 11 May 1981. Closing in 2002, this production became the longest running musical in West End history. "

I believe there was some deal ALW made with the TV studio when he did an interview there and was taken with the venue. I think many people are surprised too to find out that Cats in London played in a house with under 1000 seats--at the time it was important to Nunn and the others to not put it in a big venue.

The original sounds so great. I can see why it was such a hit. And I'm sure I would have LOVED that. But all these watered-down post productions just seem to be missing that original spark.

This video from the recent Australian tour also shows the NAP 70 number plate, for what it's worth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2rg82vEHIk

I found this a few days ago online, I am guessing this was the Japan production, reminds me of the London one except for the clouds

These new pics and videos make me wish they had waited and put this 'revival' in Circle in the Square after Fun Home closed. Seems like a much better venue for the teams original vision.

These pictures remind me of just how exciting and fresh the show seemed in those very early days! I saw it in 1981 in London and it made me choose the career I have now. (And I don't work as a vet)

Thank you for posting that video, because I was so young I don't even remember that was how it happened. It is quite beautiful and unique for its time.

that video was so touching, esp the one with Laurie Beechman singing Memory, for anyone that has had a sickly pet that died it was very touching, esp. the applause when she gets onto that ramp. had me tearing up at work. and to make matters worse, knowing that she dies a year later in real life, such a talent she was





this was the seating chart when cats was there (with the onstage seating at the top and the broken up section of the front orchestra

morosco said: "Grizabella's trip to the Heaviside Layer at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1997.

https://youtu.be/BaGYwwSM7TI?t=141



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Does that lift work in the same way the lift in worked?

Updated On: 7/25/16 at 05:54 PM