Omnibus (?) - Andrew Lloyd Webber & Finola Hughes

(Sorry for video quality & sudden cut off, this is pulled off a rather old tape)
Circa 1981 when the show opened in London, here are a few clips featuring a one-man rendition (!!) of the CATS overture, some discussion with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Finola Hughes performs "The Invitation"

[@Njoofene]

I laugh everytime I hear the younger generation say they didn't know Finola was a dancer. Of course she was! She was part of us dancers before Hollywood.

[@TheJase193]

Wow I first saw Finola in Charmed and did not know she was so talented!

[@WeeLin]

The overture was unbelievable! I'd never have imagined it could be played on one instrument. Finola is a beautiful dancer. I wish I could have seen the original cast, the costumes have become a little bit too cartoony for my taste since. Back then, it was the grace of the dancer's movements that captivated the audience, not the fact that they looked like real cats. Don't get me wrong, I still love the musical as it is performed today. Just wish I'd seen the original.

[@pooteymom921]

I'm shocked, too, that some of you didn't know she was a dancer. That's what she was back in the day. To see some really beautiful dancing (although the movie was corny), rent the follow up to Saturday Night Fever - Stayin' Alive. She's a main character in that and quite beautiful too.

[@4mikeyd]

Finola Hughes is super gorgeous

[@mamascorpio]

Finola Hughes is now soap opera star here in the U.S. Currently reprising her role as Anna Devane-Scorpio on General Hospital. I NEVER KNEW she as part of the CATS cast! learn something new all the time on youtube!

[@Njoofene]

We know.

[@LMD2915]

Did you ever see her in "Staying Alive"? I love that movie and she is the reason. The rest of the movie was crap, but Finola made it shine.

[@Bealzabub]

That's ALW for you. Every time I see a video of him while his music's playing he's so enthralled by it.

[@Xeria]

omgosh i did not know that she was the original Vick, her acting is good and wow can she dance

[@quillerpen]

Thanks for posting this - was ALW EVER that young? I love this piece of choreography - I saw an interview with Gillian Lynne once who explained that at the end of the first numebr the cast had been running through the audience, so this solo was designed to draw their attention back to centre stage. I count myself lucky that I was there to see the original cast perform it!

[@dcanmore]

Hi, this is called An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber filmed by the BBC in 1982. 'Music and conversation with his guests Placido Domingo, John Lill, Suzi Quatro, Finola Hughes, with Paul Henry, Barbara Thomps on and Nigel Warren-Green'... from the BFI (British Film Institute) website.

[@MewWolf5]

@weelin83 I know, the piano version is really amazing. Finola is wonderful as well. I also like the way they look a lot like cats in the newer versions, I think it looks great, but I agree that while they seem sort of "primitive" in comparison, I like the old costumes as well. It's still a cool effect and I nonetheless feel like I reall am watching cats instead of a bunch of humans.

[@jeffacosta123]

wow. this is amazing. finola is so beautiful, and still is:) CATS is forever

[@46foryounger]

Fiona ❤

[@littlesongbird1]

@weelin83 I agree with your comment on the costumes. They opened that show with such a small budget that had to use simple costume and hence why so many of the girls would just have their hair done up in what I call cootie ears instead of wearing wigs. If I was going to direct a show, I think I would go more with the simple costumes of the original london show.

[@tarasvoice]

WOW!!! thanx for uploading this!!

[@aamanpour3630]

Finola was an angel. Most definitely an earth angel.

[@littlesongbird1]

@disneydanny2 He also would appear as a person in the group scenes for Jesus Christ Superstar when it opened in London.

[@anafromspain]

Her back stands straight in the last position... it's like...WOOOW!!

[@disneydanny2]

interesting fact dfor those who might not know but in addition to writing the score for CATS,Andrew did somethingf delse that i don't think any other musical theater composer has done, halso was one of the musicians playing in the orchestra pit. i THINK he was Keyboard #1

[@RIPdementia]

Yep, you can tell that dance was made for her. She's in the wrong costume though! :P And young ALW is so sweet ^^,

[@Dragnet5]

Perhaps they were looking after her original costume and that was a spare

[@demeterAUS]

I know what you mean about the overture! I'd love to learn how to play it on piano... If I knew how to play piano...shame...

[@cbak12sg]

It's not Omnibus, an arts show which was never in front of an audience. The appearance of Suzi Quatro is also odd!

[@littlesongbird1]

lucky.

[@Lynn4flybell]

Here performance is breathtaking compared to the Victorias now. They look like they're straining to try to do it properly.