The first time I saw Lucy Maunder, she was playing Roxie Hart in Chicago, at Crown Theatre Perth. The second time was via Zoom last Thursday morning, in the context of an interview about her role in CATS. Both of us were in morning mode, with our respective offspring somewhere in the background.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS has been seen by 81 million people since it opened in 1981. It’s currently in Adelaide, and will play in Perth from 8 November. This 40th Anniversary Australian tour stars Gabriyel Thomas as Grizabella, Todd McKenney in the roles of Bustopher Jones and Asparagus the Theatre Cat, Mark Vincent as Old Deuteronomy, and Lucy Maunder as Jellylorum.
Training in the Art of Felinity
Lucy Maunder is a self-proclaimed cat person; just don’t tell her golden retriever, because a cat is not a dog. Even before her ‘felinity training’ (yes, this is a thing that exists) Lucy’s friends have often described her as being somewhat ‘cat-like’.
When I asked about felinity training, Lucy spoke about the totally-normal practice of pretending to walk on padded paws, and explained how consciously-cat-like movement can augment the portrayal of each CATS character’s distinct personality.
For example, most of the characters recline languorously, while Jellylorum (Lucy’s character) is more alert, tending towards a more upright posture.
All CATS actors undergo felinity training to help them embody a more feline physicality. From ‘hearing’ with ears at the tops of their heads, to lounging proudly like the regal queens they are, the cast are encouraged to embrace their inner cat.
Born for the Spotlight
Lucy Maunder is no stranger to niche extra-curricular activities (like felinity training), having grown up immersed in the world of performance. As a child, she learned multiple instruments, participated in youth orchestra, and performed in numerous plays.
With an accomplished pianist for a mother, and an operatically-inclined father, Lucy attended WAAPA, and has spent her whole life honing the skills for which she is now celebrated.
Having practically grown up in her mother’s dressing rooms, Lucy’s life has come full circle, with her daughter now waiting in the wings of her own shows.
A Little Luck and a Lot of Learning
Despite Lucy’s admirable dedication to her craft, she humbly acknowledges luck as cementing her accomplishments, stating that no matter how talented or hard working you are, a large part of success is being in the right place at the right time. She believes it all comes down to finding the opportunities that are right for you; both as a person, and a performer.
Lucy might downplay her obvious skill as being a driving catalyst, but anyone who has seen her perform knows it takes more than luck to achieve success.
One memorable thing Lucy mentioned is that there is always something you can improve upon. Her emphasis on life-long learning is inspirational, and is something all aspiring performers can benefit from taking to heart.
Playing the Part – and Then Some
When I asked Lucy if she had any dream roles, she cited Roxie from Chicago and Rizzo from Grease, both of whom she has already had the pleasure of portraying. My own (five star) review of that Chicago production described Maunder as wooing the audience with impeccable timing and theatrical flair.
Lucy’s impeccability and flair have certainly contributed to her portrayal of complex characters on the edgier side of morality, delivering performances heavy with attitudinal charisma. Lucy describes Heather Chandler, her character in Heathers: the Musical, as “a monster – but a fun monster”, who she thoroughly enjoyed playing.
With impressive dramatic range and an unforgettable voice that can hit a high C, Lucy defies typecasting. She shines equally as bright when conveying gentleness (for example, as Miss Honey in Matilda) or maternal practicality (Jellylorum) as she does on TV, in a one-woman cabaret show, or in the studio recording an album.
Finding the Feline Truth and the Magic of Memory
On the topic of strategies for conveying such a broad scope of traits and emotions in her performances, Lucy explained that, to her, it’s all about reading into the words on the page and tapping into the truth of that character.
I asked if there was anything in CATS Lucy found particularly resonant, to which she replied, “The song, Memory.” I wish I could quote her full answer verbatim (see Author’s Note as to why). Instead, I will paraphrase the gist of it from memory, no pun intended!
Basically, Lucy expounded on the emotional universality of CATS, mostly during that song (which has been covered by over 150 artists) but also throughout the entirety of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s memorable score.
Why We’re Still Purring for CATS
Just in case this isn’t common knowledge, I should mention that the CATS score was inspired by Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats; a children’s poetry collection by T.S. Eliot, that Webber had first enjoyed as a child. Webber transcribed Eliot’s 1930s poetry into the iconic songs that became the score of this iconic musical.
There is a reason CATS generates adoration amongst generations of fans. Yes, there are themes of love, loss, and transformation. Yes, it’s a Broadway classic, and a pivotal part of the cultural zeitgeist. Yes, there are goofy costumes that take hours to don, and surreal sets that will live in your mind rent-free. But above all, CATS is pure, unadulterated fun. And there is fathomless value in that.
Lucy and I spoke about the timeless appeal of CATS, which has survived 40 years of stage shows and a questionable movie adaptation. She attributes the mainstream success of CATS to its broad accessibility. It’s perfect for all ages, which Lucy believes is augmented by its non-linear plot, ensemble narrative structure, and the fact that the story never stays stuck on any one scene for too long.
Lucy revels in the fact that there are parents bringing their kids to this show, years after having seen it as children themselves. This intergenerational appeal isn’t just due to the visual spectacle or glorious score. It is a testament to the power of theatre, and the impact our childhood experiences can have on the people we eventually become.
Whether you’re a composer with a soft spot for the books your mother read you, a musical aficionado replicating childhood highlights with your own children, or a literal theatre-kid who became a theatre-mum, the fact remains: musicals are magical. And CATS is no exception.
CATS the Musical runs in Perth from 8 November at Crown Theatre, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA 6100.
It then tours to Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tickets: https://catsthemusical.com.au/tickets/perth/
Website: https://catsthemusical.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/catsthemusicalau/
Hero image: Lucy Maunder performing in CATS alongside Todd McKenney. Photo by Daniel Boud
Author’s note:
Lucy’s relaxed intelligence laid the foundations for the world’s easiest interview. All I had to do was ask a series of predetermined questions and transcribe Lucy’s (beautifully) articulated answers. Everything would have been perfect…had my harddrive not died, and the interview with it. In my panic, I perceived three options.
1. Arrange a second interview and pray for forgiveness
2. Change my name, move to the mountains, and pretend like nothing happened.
3. Write something different, and hope for the best.
Number one was out of the question – I wasn’t about to impinge any further on Lucy’s time. Number two was tempting, but if you’re reading this, chances are I went with option three. I could have just paraphrased Lucy and called it a day, but no. My brain decided the better plan would be to write a public confession of accountability, followed by a meandering summary of CATS, kids and Lucy Maunder’s career, that (hopefully) ties together neatly at the end.
