Limbering up for 'Cats'

Caroline (left) and Nadia Maxwell are preparing for the opening of Cats in Oamaru next month....
Caroline (left) and Nadia Maxwell are preparing for the opening of Cats in Oamaru next month. Photo by Sally Rae.
Caroline and Nadia Maxwell love Cats.

The 17-year-old twins are performing in the Oamaru Operatic Society's production of the musical which opens at the Opera House on September 17.

Caroline plays the cat burglar Rumpleteaser, while Nadia is Jemima, a young, innocent, balletic-type cat.

Both girls had appeared in Showboat in 2003.

Caroline auditioned for Cats as she was keen to be part of the society's production of Les Miserables next year, and thought it would be a good way to get involved.

Nadia thought it would be a good challenge.

The twins both used to be involved in gymnastics, up to national level, while Nadia has also learnt ballet and hip hop and Caroline did contemporary dance for a year.

They agreed there was little time for a social life as they juggled rehearsals with their year 12 studies at St Kevins College.

School examinations coincide with the first week of the show.

Working with choreographer Jeannie Mark, a former Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer, had been an "amazing experience", Nadia said.

Caroline now planned to definitely audition for Les Miserables next year.

Nadia would miss it as she is going to France on an exchange.

Society president Pat Gunn said staging Cats was a "massive" undertaking.

"It's the biggest show we've put together yet."

She was thrilled with the amount of new, young talent in the cast and said there was some "amazing acrobatics and dance moves".

The show is directed by Duncan Whiting, of Blenheim, and will run for 10 performances from September 17-26.

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