Fortunately chosen to become an audience at the press conference for the Cats’ performance tour after contributing.
From the left to the right: Lucy M Barker, Peter McCarthy, the translator.
“The same performance will be seen differently by different people, and the musical ‘Cats’, with each cat carrying its own unique personality, life, and memories, is a show that one can watch repeatedly at different stages of life and experience different feelings.
When I first watched ‘Cats’ in kindergarten, I was deeply captivated by the white cat, Victoria. I loved her pure white fur, her vitality, and her beautiful dance. My favorite part of the whole show was when the cats were all singing together in the first half of the show, while she danced alone on the other side of the stage under a spotlight, looking like an angel. I wanted to be like her, unique just like her. So, as the ‘Cats’ DVD played on the TV all morning, I sat in front of the screen, clumsily mimicking her dance every time she appeared, never growing tired of it.
The first time I had the chance to see the live version of ‘Cats’ in 2008, I noticed Mr. Mistoffelees’ magic tricks and realized how handsome he was. Towards the end of the performance, watching him do magic on the brightly lit stage, seeing the sparks that flew with a wave of his hand, his fur shimmering like stars, and his two magnificent leaps—I was too immerse that I ignored my need to go to the restroom until after his performance. I ended up missing the part where Old Deuteronomy announced who would be reborn and the moment I had been eagerly waiting to see, where Grizabella was taken to the Heaviside Stairs. I felt sad for a long time after getting home.
Although I saw two more live performances of ‘Cats’ later on as I grew up, I became busier, and there was a long period when I didn’t watch musicals. It wasn’t until I was about to start middle school that I revisited ‘Cats’. At that time, I found Jemima, the youngest kitten of the Jellicle tribe, to be so charming. I liked her kindness, her ethereal voice, and her clear eyes. Her introduction to ‘Memory’ was so soul-touching. My English wasn’t very good at the time, so I couldn’t understand the lyrics, but I recognized the word “Sunflower.” I saw her, head raised toward the light, like a sunflower, her eyes shining with life, in contrast to Grizabella’s weary spirit. I wanted to be like her—to have such purity in soul.
The last time I watched “Cats” was last winter. It was my first time spending Christmas alone, separated from my family. After having Christmas Eve dinner, I sat alone in front of the TV watching a recording of “Cats,” waiting for midnight to welcome Christmas. And it wasn’t until this time, until I had grown into an adult, that I fully understood every word in the songs. I understood the elderly cat’s lament for her lost years, how she said even the morning light had become cold, and how she asked to be touched. I listened repeatedly throughout the night, tears streaming down, thinking about how she grew old, how I grew up, and thinking about each of my cats.
My parents have been rescuing stray animals since before I was born, and they have rescued no fewer than fifty animals over the years. We still have more than a dozen cats at home today. When I see the Rum Tum Tugger, I think of our agile cat, Nunu, who loves to catch birds outside. When I see Macavity, I think of our independent cat, Acina. When I see Bombalurina, I think of our plump cat mother, Cherry. And when I see Munkustrap, I think of our “sheriff” cat. Most importantly, I think of my Sissy, who has been by my side since I was born, a nineteen-year-old cat who, even with her matted and dull fur like Grizabella’s, remains the most adorable and eternally charming cat in my eyes.
‘Cats’, like my cats, are part of me. They represents so many vivid memories. I’ve grown from the crazy kid who looped the ‘Cats’ songs on the way to kindergarten, howling along even though I couldn’t carry a tune and driving my mom crazy, into an eighteen-year-old girl. ‘Cats’ has accompanied me through every important stage, one after another, and it will continue to do so. ‘Cats’ is not just a musical performance; it is every cat, my every cat, my memories, and my departed childhood.”
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