The production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats that was performed by years five and six of five Lizard schools at the Light and Life Centre, Helston, has been hailed as “absolutely fantastic,” by audience members.

The Keskowethyans Multi Academy Trust (MAT) production saw 130 children from: St Martin-in-Meneage, St Keverne, Coverack, Grade Ruan, and Manaccan, take to the stage in full cat attire to dance over three dates towards the end of March.

Rachel Roskilly, grandmother of two children who were involved in the performance commented: “I thought the performance was absolutely fantastic. The dance teacher, too, was absolutely fantastic; the children loved her.”

Rachel added: “I have this old CATS CD and my grandchildren would come over after school and put on this CD and rehearse to it. They were keen as mustard.”

The production was far from small scale and many parents were involves as all hands were called to the dressing rooms where 130 cat faces were painted. There were so many children involved in the performance, often all dancing on the stage at the same time, there was a little difficulty finding a stage that was big enough for everyone. After some searching around though the theatre company found The Light and Life Centre at Water-ma-Trout.

Headteacher of the MAT, Tom Harman said: “All of the shows were sold out – in excess of 600 tickets – and we could have done this several times over, so positive was the response. Thank you to Light & Life Church for kindly allowing us to use their venue and to Chris and Fiona Hunt for taking photographs. A huge amount of credit must go to Jules Praed, who led the dance sessions, and to the staff in all of the schools for their support, but in particular to the children who were all stars.”

The performances were the culmination of a series of dance workshops led by local dance teacher Jules Praed, and were facilitated by Government Sports Premium funding.

Jules Praed said: “The children have been totally amazing with their commitment and enthusiasm for these performances. They have learnt highly complicated and intricate dance routines and performed them with skill and real dedication. It has been a huge pleasure working with each and everyone one of them over the past ten weeks.”