Judi Dench and Cats

[Jappe]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 1:22pm

We all know she was supposed to play Grizabella in the original London cast of Cats but didn't make it to the stage. Is there anywhere a recording or a video of her singing Memory? I'd like to hear her take on it...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:05pm

I always wondered about this because Judi Dench is not a belter. When they brought Elaine Paige in, did they turn "Memory" into a power ballad?

[Janki]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:07pm

Apparently Memory was not in the show until Elaine was brought in! So Judi never had to sing it!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:09pm

Well then what the heck did she do? Memory is the only reason Grizabella's in the show.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:10pm

I don't think there are any audio/video evidence of her in the role. I was in London when CATS began previews, and they were giving away the programs because they list Dame Judi in the cast, complete with photo and bio. Elaine Paige was an insert.
(I grabbed a handful, still holding on to them.)

As for "Apparently Memory was not in the show until Elaine was brought in! So Judi never had to sing it!" - I don't know about that - there was an orchestral 45rpm of MEMORY (orchestral only, but with reference to the T.S. Eliot "Rhapsody On A Windy Night" on the sleeve) also available as previews began.

Updated On: 11/18/08 at 02:10 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:13pm

"and they were giving away the programs because they list Dame Judi in the cast"

You should get Judi Dench to sign one of those.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:45pm

Oh the song was there, she just sang it differently. Dench was the best ever Sally Bowles, IMHO, and she belted the hell out of "Cabaret."

[keithp]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 2:52pm

Indeed Memroy was part of the show. Judi Dench did not appear at any performances,I believe and left, injured, before the 1st preview.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 3:00pm

How sad She would have been the best Grizabella ever.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 3:30pm

I'm not 100% of the chronology, but I believe Memory had been written by the time she was injured. It just didn't have lyrics yet. Don't forget that Judi was also playing the Gumbie cat so even without Memory she had plenty to do. There were several versions of the song. At one point it was even called "Good Times" with lyrics by Don Black. It wasn't until the last minute that Trevor Nunn finished the lyric based on "Rhapsody on a Windy Night" and even then it was still not the final version as there was some confusion as to which lyric Elaine was going to sing at the first preview. It's talked about in great detail by Cameron, Andrew and Trevor on the DVD bonus features.

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 4:29pm

If I am not mistaken, and I could be as I haven't watched it in a while, Judi sings Memory on the video of MR. PROUDECER, the Cameron Mackintosh concert video. I don't believe it has been released on DVD, at least not in the US.

[keithp]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 4:32pm

You are mistaken I'm afraid. Elaine Paige sang it in the show (Hey Mr Producer).

[NGD2225]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 4:35pm

Yeah Elaine sang it at HMP. It was right after they wrapped the video & the majority of the cast performed on it.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:03pm

I know that Judi was at several rehearsals, because she snapped her Achilles tendon at a rehearsal, then returned on crutches, then injured herself again at a rehearsal. So there must have been something for her to sing in the show. But I don't know if she was ever recorded singing "Memory." (Which is actually my least-favourite song from "Cats...")

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:14pm

So there must have been something for her to sing in the show.

There was. She injured herself during rehearsal for the Gumbie Cat number and then again when she came back in crutches. That's actually what baffles me most. Why did she want to get up and dance when she wasn't fully healed? And who let her?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:26pm

'Memory' was always i the show it was just rearranged for Ms paige to sing it when she stepped in.
Dame Dench has done many concerts over the years for many different charities. Without fail, on being asked to perform at these galas, she is asked to sing 'Memory'- she has always declined.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:37pm

I don't think it was always in the show. Judi Dench signed on when Trevor Nunn suggested that she could play two opposite cats, Grizabella and the Gumbie Cat. That's what interested her. "Memory" was added during the rehearsal process as the show was still taking shape at Trevor's urging that each of Andrew's shows prior had a Puccini aria moment. Trevor suggested to Andrew that Grizabella should have a song of her own. That's how "Good Times" came about and then eventually "Memory".

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:41pm

Oh, wow, really? I never knew that Grizabella and Jennyanydots were originally a double role. And... I'm unabashedly fond of CATS. That musical was my childhood.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:47pm

It's all in the interviews on the double disc DVD. That's the only reason I know about any of this.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 8:13pm

Performance wise its always been there , thats what I said!