The world and life in the eyes of cats

- Appreciation of the opera "Cats"

Musicals are comprehensive aesthetic stage consumer arts. Its formation and development However, with a history of more than 100 years, it has only been introduced into our country for a short time. Simply put, it is a popular performing art that integrates drama, music, and dance. Musicals have the characteristics of comprehensiveness, modernity, diversity, flexibility and commercial operation. Music creation in musicals is different from other forms of stage performance art and has many of its own characteristics and rules.

It can be said that everyone knows about the musical "Cats". Since it was first performed in China, it has immediately created a whirlwind of musicals in more culturally developed cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and the audience has been fascinated by it. It is attracted by its unique stage settings, humorous and vivid performances and fascinating storyline. I was fortunate enough to watch "Cats" in my college aesthetic education course, and I was deeply impressed after watching it. The actors' wonderful performances brought the audience into the wonderful world of Jericho cats. Of course, the most unforgettable thing about this play for me is the wonderful music. It is these different but highly unified music that bring the plot to life. It reaches the climax again and again, allowing the audience to be completely integrated into the plot while being surprised and excited, and enter the graceful mythical world.

1. The status of the musical "Cats"

"Cats" is one of Lloyd Webber's most successful works, and it is also the longest-running musical in London and Broadway. A musical, the play premiered at the New London Theater in London's West End on May 11, 1981, and ended on May 11, 2002, lasting 21 years. In 1983, "Cats" won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.

"Cats" is not only a musical full of dynamic charm and flavor of the times, but it is also full of life philosophy and human feelings. As someone said, this is a musical that "sees the world and life through a cat's eyes."

2. Plot introduction to the musical "Cats"

The story of "Cats" is very simple: the Jericho cat clan holds a gathering every year, and all the cats will gather here. At the annual grand party, a cat is selected to ascend to heaven. We know that cats have nine lives and can be reborn again after ascending to heaven. As a result, cats of all kinds appeared on stage one after another, expressing themselves to their heart's content, telling their stories with singing and dancing, hoping to be selected. Finally, the "Charming Cat" who was once glorious back then but extremely slovenly today moved all the cats present with his song "Memories" and became a cat that can ascend to heaven.

"Charming Cat" is the most important character in the whole play. When she was young, she was the most beautiful among the cat tribe. She was tired of the life of the cat tribe and went to work outside. However, after experiencing the hardships of the world, she had turned into an extremely ugly old cat when she returned to the cat tribe. The cats were unwilling to accept this wanderer who betrayed the cat clan, and the entire cat clan was very hostile to her. She calmed down all the cats' hostility toward her with her song "Memories" and aroused deep sympathy and pity for her.

The "Leader Cat" is the leader of the cat tribe. He is very old and well-read in poetry and books. In the entire tribe, he is highly respected and the most respected and loved. He rarely appears in the cat clan, and daily affairs are handled by the young "hero cats". But at the annual dance, the leader cat will definitely come, because he is the only one qualified to choose the reborn cat.

"Rock Cat" is the rock star and playboy of cats. His songs are also arrogant rock music. "Rock Cat" is very tall, with vigorous and explosive movements. He is an adult male cat with great masculinity. He dances wildly under the spotlight, enjoying the crazy fascination of the female cats.

Kitten Jemima is the youngest kitten in the cat tribe. She is kind-hearted and compassionate. When Charming Cat sang "Memories", it first aroused her sympathy and used His sweet and bright voice also sang the melody of Charming Cat, which made all the cats show moved expressions.

There are also "nanny cats", "theater cats", "rich cats", "criminal cats", "charming cats", "hero cats", etc. This group is diverse, different and anthropomorphic The transformed cats formed the cat world. At the dance, they showed off their talents, singing, dancing or playing, and staged a heart-stirring "human tragedy and comedy", telling the theme of love and tolerance.

3. Dance elements in the music "Cats"

The dance in "Cats" is quite prominent. There are both light and lively tap dance, solemn and gorgeous ballet, and Dynamic jazz dance and modern dance make the whole play unrestrained and energetic. The graceful dance postures and difficult movements make us experience a kind of pure and flawless beauty. The lively tap dance reflects the nanny cat’s fun and humorous personality. She is very friendly and always busy doing some charity work for the cat people. So everyone likes her very much.

4. Music elements in the musical "Cats"

The music of "Cats" is very moving, and the theme song "Memories" that appears four times is a song that you will never tire of listening to. of golden songs. It has spread all over the world and has become a contemporary classic song, winning many awards. Now "Memories" has been closely connected with the "Cats" drama and has become the show's signature and symbol.

5. Stage Art

The most prominent point in the play "Cats" is the costumes of the characters. There are 36 cats in the whole play. In order to show the different status and status of cats, Their personality traits and their makeup are also different and have their own characteristics.

6. Plot summary

The charming cat carried everyone’s blessings to the ninth heaven and gained a new life. After enjoying this musical, the world of "Cats" condenses human society. The story of "Cats" is a modern fable, with everything from the harsh world to the warmth and warmth of human relationships.