Long-lived musical “Cats” has now returned to Taiwan for the sixth time. And this time, the tour will be staging as many as 36 shows in six cities, more than on previous occasions. After opening at the Taipei Arena, the tour then moved to Taichung last week and Hualien County this week, before heading to Kaohsiung, Tainan and Hsinchu County later on.
First opening in London nearly 41 years ago in 1981, the musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the “Jellicles.” The show, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is known for its catchy songs, including “Memory.” It was originally scheduled to open in Taiwan in June last year as part of its 40th Anniversary Tour, but this was postponed due to the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cats,” along with “Les Miserables” (1985), “The Phantom of the Opera” (1986) and “Miss Saigon” (1989), are regarded as the four biggest musicals of all time.
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Liberty Times 照片:自由時報陳奕全
(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
經典音樂劇《貓》近日六度來台巡迴演出,而這次,該劇預計將打破紀錄,在六個城市演出多達三十六場。於台北小巨蛋開演後,該劇上週在台中演出,本週則移師至花蓮縣,稍後還會前往高雄、台南,及新竹縣巡演。
《貓》劇於一九八一年在倫敦首演,至今熱唱近四十一年,這是關於一群「傑利可貓」的故事,該劇由安德魯洛伊韋柏所製作,並以劇中《Memory》等多首金曲而聞名。原本這次台灣巡演排定去年六月登場,亦是該劇四十週年全球巡演的一部分,不料受疫情升溫影響,巡演被迫延期到今年。
《貓》劇常被譽為四大音樂劇之一!另外三部包括︰《悲慘世界》(一九八五年)、《歌劇魅影》(一九八六年)、《西貢小姐》(一九八九年)。
(台北時報張聖恩)
A: Wow, singer Bruno Mars will be visiting Kaohsiung for the first time. B: Really? Where will he be performing? A: He’s going to hold a concert at the National Stadium on Sunday. B: Why do the Taiwanese like to call him the “Martian” in Chinese? A: Because his last name “Mars” is the same word as the planet Mars. A: 哇!火星人布魯諾將首度唱進高雄。 B: 真的嗎?在哪裡? A: 他將於本週日,在國家體育場開唱唷。 B: 但是為什麼台灣人喜歡叫他火星人呢? A: 因為他的姓氏「Mars」這個字剛好是「火星」的意思啊。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
A: Bruno Mars is definitely one of today’s most popular singers. B: He has even won 14 Grammy Awards. A: I love all his megahits, like “Just the Way You Are.” B: And his new song with Lady Gaga “Die with a Smile” has a caused worldwide sensation. A: I wonder if we’ll hear the new song at his Kaohsiung concert? A: 火星人布魯諾是近年來最受歡迎的流行歌手。 B: 對啊他還曾榮獲14座葛萊美獎。 A: 他所有的金曲我都愛,像《Just the Way You Are》。 B: 最近他和女神卡卡合唱《Die with a Smile》更造成大轟動! A: 不知道在高雄有沒有機會聽他演唱這首新歌呢? (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
The Lord returned home after a long day of hunting, a deer on his horse and a bow on his back. His apprentice had stayed behind, feeling unwell. He rode slowly through the forest, closed his eyes, and felt the warm sunlight on his face. He opened his eyes to a full moon rising. Time to make offerings and pray for peace, good weather, a bountiful harvest. And a child with his beloved wife. He smiled. As he approached, the house was quiet. Too quiet. He dismounted in the empty courtyard. “Feng Meng?” he called. Silence. He went to his apprentice’s
You can’t help but notice the woman’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and bizarre outfit. She’s in a white dress that reaches below the knee and a Prussian blue jacket highlighted by a brooch on a ribbon at the collar. Together with her leather boots and the brown suitcase in hand, her overall look gives her an air of mystery. This distinctive appearance isn’t merely for style; it’s her way of embracing cosplay. Combining the words “costume” and “play,” cosplay is an art form in which participants dress up as specific characters, usually at anime conventions. It not only involves