Thursday 19 November 2020

Doreen's Pussycats

 

I may have mentioned before that when I was young I used to present a variety show on stage with other artists. We were a small group of about twelve people; mainly singers, dancers, amateur actors and so on. We had a husband and wife musician couple, he played classical music on the piano and she sang various arias. We had a guitarist and a drummer and so on. 

As I said, I presented the shows, introducing the various acts and telling jokes in-between the performances. We played in small venues like church halls, community halls, Seniors Care Homes and so on. Mainly to entertain the elderly, or to raise money for various charities; like a new roof for the church hall, or to buy food for the homeless and so on.

Anyway, one time we decided to put on a show based on cats singing and dancing the night away. The performers were six young ladies, led and choreographed by my then friend Doreen. Dressed in various coloured leotards they danced and sang on stage to pre-recorded music, whilst every now and then a male actor did a voice-over to tell the audience the story as it developed. 

On my way to the theatre, a small church hall in a remote village, I was due to pick up Doreen from her home. I was late from work so I hurried by car, picked her up, and drove to the theatre. As soon as I stopped the car, Doreen hurried out and in doing so she accidentally twisted her ankle. She let out a cry and held on to the car to stop her from falling. 

Once inside, it was obvious that she could not go on stage and do the cats song and dance performance. It was not a long number; about ten or fifteen minutes at the most. But even so, she could not perform it because of the pain. Another young lady stepped in to take her part; but the performance needed six cats. It could not be re-worked with just five people.

Doreen looked at me and said I should take part in the performance. We were similar size, it would be a minor part, just moving around the stage, I could mime the singing, copy the others in the dancing bit, no one would notice, and it was my fault that she hurt her ankle because I was late picking her up anyway.

Dam-it how persuasive women can be. I hate that. There was no way I would go on stage and pretend to be a cat. Even for fifteen seconds, never mind fifteen minutes.

And so I did ... 

Dam-it again how tight those leotards can be. They are made of stretchy elasticated material which hugs your body revealing your every contour. Like ballet dancers' outfits. And it show up one's bits under the material?

Doreen could not stop laughing seeing me in that pink new skin revealing male shapes it should not reveal. I certainly was not going on stage looking like that. Eventually, when she stopped laughing at me, she loaned me her bra which was strategically placed to protect my modesty.

Here's a short sound recording of another performance. Imagine a group of men dressed as nuns singing this on stage. Me singing ... ... ...


19 comments:

  1. ...every show needs a Tom cat!

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    1. Yes indeed, but it does not have to be me ... obviously on show.

      God bless, Tom.

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  2. Now, that must have been "cat" astrophic for you, Victor! I'm not sure I want to continue to visualize here . . .
    Blessings!

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    1. No please don't visualise ... why do they have to have those things so skin tight?

      God bless, Martha.

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  3. That was such a terrific story, we could see it all as you described it! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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  4. Wonderful story, thanks! I love the quote too, have a wonderful day.

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    1. So nice to see you visiting here Catscue. Call again.

      God bless.

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  5. Dearest Victor,
    Could imagine the scene very well as you worded it here.
    The false teeth song even sounds like a cat... Haha! Made me the 133th listener.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed the story and my singing, Mariette. We used to put on shows in Senior Citizens Homes; and also in various theatres to raise money for charity.

      God bless always.

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  6. Hysterical! Being as CATS is one of my favorite musicals, I could totally envision you and your merry troupe. Thanks for the smiles!

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    1. We put on various shows here and there, Mevely. I used to write the comedy sketches, others sang and played various musical pieces. Mostly Beatles and similar 60s and 70s music; classical too.

      God bless my friend.

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  7. You purrfect for the role. :)

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    1. That's what Doreen said ... whilst still laughing at me!

      God bless, Bill.

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  8. You need to learn how to say NO. :) Funny story.

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    1. Women are very very persuasive, Happyone.

      God bless.

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  9. Well, at least the show did go on, in true show biz fashion.

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    1. Yes indeed, Mimi. It was nice to see the smiles in the audience.

      God bless.

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