Wycombe Swan: Cats ****

3:17pm Thursday 1st May 2008

A DARKENED street, a fleeting glimpse of tails and whiskers and a flash of light sets the stage for Cats.

From the shadows a group of feline characters creep out to introduce their gang - The Jellicle Cats - and tell how they hold an annual celebratory ball.

A dazzling display of song and dance ensues introducing us to Grizabella the Glamour Cat, The Rum Tum Tugger, mischievous Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer and a cast of other pussycat stars.

Cats has made a name for itself as the West End's longest running musical, and has become one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most famous shows.

As an amateur Webber fan I was not sure what to expect from it, and I must admit the story of how one lucky puss is chosen to journey to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn' was slightly lost on me. But the effects, stage sets, costumes and choreography blew me away.

The Swan's stage was completely transformed into the Jellicle's junkyard and provided hidden surprises throughout the show as the different characters were introduced.

And never before have I seen lighting play such a crucial part in a show - something which was carried off with what looked like ease. But Cats' trump card has to be its memorable songs and astonishing choreography, which makes me wish I'd carried on with ballet classes.

The show's cast transform themselves into slinky felines as they crawl, leap, twist, turn and jump across the stage in their skin tight outfits and trademark tails.

Cats has certainly not lost any of its magic, which has kept audiences coming back for more than 20 years.

Cats is at the Swan until tomorrow (Saturday).

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