Notes: Cat as Cat Can

AUTHOR’S NOTE

“But how to play the cat?” The question was often asked before the play was performed. The answer: through imagination. The way children — with no costumes or acting training — totally convince us by their simple joy in make-believe that all by themselves they can add up to an entire zoo. That’s how Gérard Martin, who created the part in Paris, became my cat . . . his left arm undulating like an “inquisitive” cat’s tail . . . then he’d scratch his chin in fast motion with his right hand, used as a paw-with-claws. He’d sniff his acting partners to make their acquaintance.

CAST: 4 actors who play:

1. Prince Charming
2. The Queen, The Aunt, Claudette, Merlin.
3. Valerie, Veronika, Gaston 2.
4. Gaston, Gustave, Gilbert, Valentine.

or 12 actors:

The Queen
Valerie
Veronika
Her Aunt
ClaudettePrince Charming
The Cat-Prince
Gaston
Gustave
Gilbert
Merlin
Valentine
Two passers-by

Time: the present. A mobile set

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