pmcoura
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what is...the point of this show?
i don't see any type of plot in this show. i find it stupid. is there some hidden meaning? lol.
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Rumblepurr
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Hold On a Second Here...Before anyone answers this...
pmcoura... I want YOU to first prove your statement. In other words, I want to hear WHY you do not see any plotline; WHY you find it "stupid"; and WHY you chose to make this statement - lol...
IF you wish to debate this show, then I want to see your side before I even consider answering you. Otherwise, I am going to treat this as an inflammatory thread, and a violation of Rule 11.
Rumblepurr
CATS Forum Moderator.
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MrsJemimaMistoffelees
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I love you, Rumblepurr! A new approach to a very tired question...
And I am very interested in what pmcoura will say 
Veel Liefs,
Jemima ^_^
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Lady Jemima
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*sits back hoping this won't turn into a nasty thread*
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Hans
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Re: what is... | pmcoura wrote: | | the point of this show? Is there some hidden meaning? |
I have been wondering about the same for quite some time, but I've never gotten an explanation. I have a little problem phrasing exactly what my thoughts about Cats are, but just found a review at amazon.com which puts to words my thoughts exactly.
I'm paraphrasing slightly:
| psyges wrote: | "Cats" may be the most entertaining dance show ever written. But what does it have to say as a piece of music theater. What is the meaning of "Cats?" There is a loose story of a cat passing on to a high plain of being after falling into the ugliness of old age. What does this have to say about anything? Is "Cats" really a commentary on any sort of hope? What does it say about it?
Let’s not forget about the evil cat who kidnaps Old Deuteronomy. Fortunately, he is saved by Mistoffeles. What do Skimbleshanks, Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer, Rum Tum Tugger, or any of the other cats who have solos have to do with any of this?
However, the show does display some fun songs. The music is lots of fun. But how does it stand as a coherent piece of music theatre? Narrative is not essential to a good piece of music theater, though. Maybe "Cats" is a concept musical. But what is the concept, and how does each musical number contribute to this concept?
There is a third bit of storyline going on here. Cats have gathered for a Jellicle Ball. This is where Grizabella passes on and where Deutereonomy is kidnapped and rescued. So this musical does have a coherent plot. But what is it saying? Is it saying that beauty beyond looks and redemption still await people in old age? Could this actually be an allegory?
If the above is the meaning of the show, how does a song about "Bustofer Jones" fit in? What does it mean?
There is some good stuff in here, although my tastes do not especially go for it. There does not seem to be any striking or effective use of musical motif or structure in this musical, but it's Andrew Lloyd Webber, so a collection of songs is what you get. |
I don't see how this should be an inflammatory thread, I certainly do not mean it in a nasty way. I'm just curious.
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Rumblepurr
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Inflammatory? | pmcoura wrote: | | ...the point of this show? i don't see any type of plot in this show. i find it stupid. is there some hidden meaning? lol. |
Dvarg?
Read through your post and then look at the above quote... What do you see that is different? Here is what I found: "i find it stupid."
If you take the post and remove that sentence, you have an inquiry. When you add that sentence, you are essently throwing a verbal rock. This type of post is meant to cause trouble more than seek any answer. As a moderator and as an MdN member, I have seen too many of these posts hit a Forum, and just cause negative feelings all around. If someone wants to debate a musical on a Forum, then the first thing should be to present a case for or against a subject. Basic rule of debate - never say anything you cannot back up with proof. The orignal post makes an inquiry, yes, but then adds an insulting remark. I call that inflammatory because it almost cries for someone to respond in kind...
Rumblepurr
CATS Forum Moderator
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Hans
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Re: Inflammatory? | Rumblepurr wrote: | | Read through your post and then look at the above quote... What do you see that is different? Here is what I found: "i find it stupid." |
Yes, that was unnecessary and pointless, which is why I didn't quote it.
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Little_Nell
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pmcoura - your post is 'stupid'. It's stupid because you have obviously already formed your own opinion about CATS and whatever we say won't change your mind. So it's a complete waste of everyone's time, isn't it?
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Sweeney Hyde
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| Little_Nell wrote: |
pmcoura - your post is 'stupid'. It's stupid because you have obviously already formed your own opinion about CATS and whatever we say won't change your mind. So it's a complete waste of everyone's time, isn't it? |
Maybe the CATS lovers should see this as a challenge not an insult. Try and get pmcoura over to your side. It was just a simple question: Why do you like the show?
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Gwen
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If they wanted to ask that, they could put it that way. Or, they could look at the thread that's already there on that subject. Instead, this looks more like a matter of "I don't understand it, so it's stupid."
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Swan
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| Sweeney Hyde wrote: | | It was just a simple question: Why do you like the show? |
We have accepted this kind of challenge many, many times in the past. And it's always been a good chance to exchange opinions and points of view.
The point is, we are not willing to accept it if the premises are "I think it's stupid".
Kind questions, kind aswers.
Unkind questions, NO answers. 
Swan
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Sweeney Hyde
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See now this is one of the reasons I don't post here. They asked a question. They may not have worded it in the best fashion, but they asked a question. The least you guys can do is answer it.
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Hans
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| Swan wrote: | Kind questions, kind aswers.
Unkind questions, NO answers. |
Seriously, I tried my best to form the questions the most respectful way. I apologise if they sounded unkind.
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Flitterbug
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| Quote: | | See now this is one of the reasons I don't post here. |
Here here! *applauds*
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Sweeney Hyde
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| Flitterbug wrote: | | Quote: | | See now this is one of the reasons I don't post here. |
Here here! *applauds* |
Thank You! Thank You!
I'd like to thank the academy...
Seriously though. I feel like every single time someone even posts something even slightly negatory about this show they all go beserk!
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Swan
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| Sweeney Hyde wrote: | | Seriously though. I feel like every single time someone even posts something even slightly negatory about this show they all go beserk! |
It might have happened sometimes, nobody's perfect. But it also has often happened that people asking "why do you like the show" were doing it with a (more or less obvious) hint of despise, or trying to make Cats fans feel ridicolous. That made us produce antibodies... which can happen to over-work.
Dvarg, talking about unkind questions I wasn't addressing you. I was talking of pmcoura. More in general, if I don't think a question has been addressed kindly to me, I don't feel that the least I can do is to answer (sorry if this sounds selfish). And of course, whoever doesn't feel at his/her ease on a Forum, is not obliged to post nor to lurk. Or he/she might stay and see if things change after some time. Many people here feel like they belong to a family, but it's not a rule.
Now, the serious part. As far as I am concerned, I am aware that Cats doesn't have a strong plot. I adore "Chicago" and can see there is much more to say on it from the plot point of view. But I also adore "Follies" and that is another show where the plot doesn't count so much, and where a few music or dance number are not strictly needed for it: they provide a context or even just a fun moment for the audience.
My point is that, ALTHOUGH Cats just has a little plot (which anyway does exist), it still provides a message (acceptance, forgiveness, being able to deal with the past), it creates feline allegories of human types, and it gives us beautiful songs (I personally don't like ALL of them, but I do like many of them), costumes and choreographies. In five words: the plot is not everything. 
Swan
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Rumblepurr
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MODERATOR ACTIONMy original post has not been heeded, so I am locking this thread before it gets out of order. If any participant wishes to open a new thread and debate this subject PROPERLY, you may do so.
Rumblepurr
CATS Forum Moderator.
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