Omnibus (?) - Andrew Lloyd Webber & Finola Hughes

(Sorry for video quality & sudden cut off, this is pulled off a rather old tape)

Circa 1981 when the show opened in London, here are a few clips featuring a one-man rendition (!!) of the CATS overture, some discussion with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Finola Hughes performs "The Invitation"

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• CATS
• musical
• omnibus
• original
• london
• cast
• overture
• invitation
• andrew
• lloyd
• webber

[Lynn4flybell]

Here performance is breathtaking compared to the Victorias now. They look like they're straining to try to do it properly.

[quillerpen]

Thanks for posting this - was ALW EVER that young?

I love this piece of choreography - I saw an interview with Gillian Lynne once who explained that at the end of the first numebr the cast had been running through the audience, so this solo was designed to draw their attention back to centre stage.

I count myself lucky that I was there to see the original cast perform it!

[jeffacosta123]

wow. this is amazing. finola is so beautiful, and still is:) CATS is forever

[jessicassculptor]

I made a small figurine for Cherida Langford of her dancing this role! was wonderful to see the dance again;o)

[MewWolf5]

@weelin83 I know, the piano version is really amazing. Finola is wonderful as well.  I also like the way they look a lot like cats in the newer versions, I think it looks great, but I agree that while they seem sort of "primitive" in comparison, I like the old costumes as well. It's still a cool effect and I nonetheless feel like I reall am watching cats instead of a bunch of humans.

[littlesongbird1]

@weelin83 I agree with your comment on the costumes. They opened that show with such a small budget that had to use simple costume and hence why so many of the girls would just have their hair done up in what I call cootie ears instead of wearing wigs. If I was going to direct a show, I think I would go more with the simple costumes of the original london show.

[littlesongbird1]

@disneydanny2 He also would appear as a person in the group scenes for Jesus Christ Superstar when it opened in London.

[disneydanny2]

interesting fact dfor those who might not know but in addition to writing the score for CATS,Andrew did somethingf delse that i don't think any other musical theater composer has done, halso was one of the musicians playing in the orchestra pit. i THINK he was Keyboard #1

[thebradybunchlover]

@quillerpen You were their?!!!!!!!!!!!!! LUCKY!!!!!!!!! can u tell me what it was like?! I mean the costumes and stage and stuff i just want to see that stuff sooooo badly! Im currently working on a parody for the 1981 one! :D include EVERY DETAIL! lol jk

[TheJase193]

Wow I first saw Finola in Charmed and did not know she was so talented!

[freacls]

my friend has a little white cat like Victoria but hers is called Namine

[freacls]

she was she was the first Victoria that was also her own hair assome of the girls didnt have wigs she wore it in that style