A distinctive aspect of many live Cats productions is the immersive, interactive Interval (UK) /intermission (USA) that divides the show into two Acts. During this break, Old Deuteronomy sits and reflects on the situation with Grizabella. Gradually Cats come back to the junkyard, playing with the audience as they pass through the auditorium. The extent to which the cast can interact with the audience depends on the production.
The intermission generally lasts 20 minutes, allowing the cast to rest after the intensive and dance heavy Jellicle Ball that comes at the end of the first Act.
Old Deuteronomy often spends the intermission sitting alone onstage, reflecting on the Tribe's attitude and hostility towards Grizabella.
Costume Changes[]
During this intermission, certain performers also switch costumes or reapply makeup to prepare for the second Act.
A Victoria performer will change their costume during the intermission, as their pas de deux partner's makeup ends up on their costume during "The White Cat Lift" portion of the Jellicle Ball, and would be visible throughout the remainder of the show against the white costume.
Audience Interaction[]
In most productions, Old Deuteronomy remains onstage after Memory closing Act I, and proceeds to sit down to contemplate in preparation for The Moments of Happiness. The performer may sit on the tire, or may move closer to audience and sit on the steps to the stage.
Some productions, including the original London and Broadway ones, allow members of the audience to go up to the Old Deuteronomy performer on stage and interact, often getting their programme or souvenir brochure signed by the performer, or taking a photo together.
Towards the end of the intermission, the cast gradually makes their way back onstage through various entrances in the theatre house, often passing by audiences as they go.
In some productions, a number of cats may stop to interact with the audience as they return to the stage in what is known as the "House Cats" segment. In earlier UK and US productions, cast members were known to mess with the audience as cats might do -- creeping up on audience members,[1] rubbing up against them,[2] or even stealing their things.[3] For more recent productions, the segment is mainly an opportunity for the audience to take pictures and videos of the cats up close.
After the pandemic in 2020, some ongoing and newer productions, such as US Tour 6, removed the audience interactions for health reasons and the Old Deuteronomy performer would only return to the stage a few minutes before the start of Act II.
Once all of the performers have returned to the stage, Act II commences with The Moments of Happiness.
Gallery[]
Old Deuteronomy
Audience Interactions
.jpg "Demeter Ella Nonini Int Tour 2018 (3).jpg (173 KB)")
