Matt Krzan is leaving the Asia tour to, of all things, get married. And of course we’re genuinely very happy for him!! But I am So Sad he is leaving, because he’s just *such* a wonderful Munkustrap.
Of course Matt’s been involved with Cats for many, many years – and for the last leg of this tour has been resident director and choreographer. Whether he will continue with Cats after this Tour – I guess we’ll just have to wait for the inevitable Farewell Post. One of many that are going make me cry buckets 😭
I’m sure everyone knows my feelings on the NuMakeup ALW forced on everyone, but my fears about Munkustrap’s makeup for the Asia Tour was completely assuaged by this professional. Look at how *gorgeous* he is!! I’m going to miss it *so much*.
Watching Matt as Munk was fascinating! He is, in many ways, a very aloof Munkstrap. Some of it was staging – he doesn’t join in sensuals, for example. During the pyramid he’s at least one entire Cat’s width away from everyone else (like Tugger, *cough cough*). And with Jo!Griz he was vicious. Never seen a Munk react like he did – lunging aggressively toward her with a terrifying hiss. Intimidating, angry, frustrated body posture – at her, at himself. There's a moment when he hisses at Grizabella that Electra cowers - with Munk turning toward her and curling into himself with shame. It’s *fascinating*. And while he’s gentle with the tribe, he doesn’t go out of his way to be cuddly with them
With one exception. Electra (as played by Sophie Middleton). I have lots of headcanons for Cats depending on the production – and in *this* production Electra is Baby and she is Munk’s Doter 😭. Electra is basically an onstage Swing in this production (I have *thoughts* about that, but Sophie created the world’s most adorable kitten in that role so XD). During Gumbi she doesn’t get to be a cockroach – instead she spends the time on the tire rocking out with Munkustrap (she gets to cuddle up in the JennySuit which Munk wraps around her). Mattstrap joins the tap on the tire *except* for the show when Sophie's family was watching- and then Electra got to join the tap! (and Girls Releve during the Ball).
It still kills me not to see Tugger and Munk in the Jellicle Ball when they are played by dancers. And I was so hoping Matt would jump in like he's done in the past. He didn’t, but we did get a little taste of Copeland when he joins in on the boot when the Ball starts! He’s a beautiful Munk, with the kind of controlled physicality I love seeing in this role, and wonderful to watch the few times he gets to actually dance.
I’m going to miss him So Much. I know the tour only has two more weeks, and my heart is going to break at the end of them. Best Wishes and Congratulations to Matt! Thank you for signing my program and for giving me a Paw Bump during the show. Once a Jellicle *always* a Jellicle.
Featuring Taryn Donna as Cassandra, Sophie-Rose Middleton as Electra, Katie Hutton as Rumpleteazer, Billy Mahoney as Mungojerrie, and Gavin Eden as Skimbleshanks.
These Queens have you surrounded, you better have some treats for them.
Asia Tour 2022-2023; Taiwan, July 2023.
Francesca Benton-Stace as Jellylorum, Sophie-Rose Middleton covering Tantomile, Katie Hutton as Rumpleteazer, Meghan Peploe-Williams covering Tantomile, Isabella Roberts as Victoria, Petra Ilse Dam as Bombalurina, and Alice Oberg as Demeter.
After a day off due to a typhoon passing through Taipei, Taiwan, Asia Tour 2022-2023 was back in action again today (04 August 2023).
Jennyanydots, played by Amy Louise Whittle, shows off the love of her life, Bustopher Jones, played by Ian Jon Bourg.
A pair of backstage photos featuring Saverio Pescucci as Alonzo, Johnny Randall as Mistoffelees, Katie Hutton as Rumpleteazer, and Taryn Donna as Cassandra.
Petra Ilse Dam is keeping busy in the Booth! The Bombalurina performer will likely stay there for the remainder of dates due to an injury.