Levick catapults to stardom with Cats casting

Under the moonlight in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of Cats, when the Jellicle cats come out to dance, Tannah Levick will be among them. 

Cast in Cats, she joins a storied tradition of performers bringing the mysterious, magical world of the Jellicles to life that will begin performances in Cape Town in December before moving to Johannesburg in January. 

Levick takes on the mischievous role of Rumpleteazer, one half of the cheeky cat-burglar duo known for their playful antics and lively dance numbers. 

Levick, 25, grew up performing, but it wasn’t until she performed in Thoroughly Modern Millie in the King David Linksfield school production when she was in Grade 11 that she knew that being on stage singing, dancing, and acting was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. 

After matriculating, Levick studied at the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) in Cape Town, where she was able to hone her craft and become a true triple threat. Since graduating in 2021, Levick has been involved in numerous musical theatre productions in South Africa and internationally, including Mamma Mia, Disney’s The Magic Box Musical, and We Will Rock You. 

Levick auditioned for the show in October last year, and was waiting on tenterhooks until she got the offer in April this year, while touring with The Magic Box Musical, to play the effervescent and naughty Rumpleteazer, a role she has always wanted. 

“Being in Cats means I’ve truly made my youthful dreams come true. As a young girl, I always wanted to be in musical theatre, and I believe Hashem said, ‘I’m going to send you the hardest musical in the world and make you feature in it.’ After this, I feel unstoppable,” she told the SA Jewish Report. 

Levick said that though she has been in major productions before, such as Mamma Mia and The Magic Box Musical, this has been unlike anything else. Once a performer has done Cats, they can do anything, she says. 

“At first, it was weird because you literally have to become a cat – it’s a weird feeling. And obviously, you don’t know how to do it right because you’re human,” she said. “The show is very physically demanding and vocally challenging. I stand by this: it’s the hardest musical. I think anyone can do anything after being cast.” 

Her casting is the realisation of a dream, she said. “No matter how hard this is, and as a kid you don’t know how hard it’s going to be, and how many events you’re going to miss, and how many nights you’re going to have to say, listen, I can’t, I have to rest my body, I have to rest my voice, but I feel like I set out to conquer a dream, and I’ve achieved it.” 

Levick has been immersed in rehearsals, practising not only song and dance numbers, but how to be a cat. 

“A large of part of rehearsal is almost cat school,” Levick said. “It sounds ridiculous, but you have to learn how to be a cat because you can’t be a cringy cat, you actually have to learn how a cat walks, how a cat functions, and how they hear because they hear from their back.” 

“What’s been amazing about it is that as an actor, when you become a character, you sometimes explore more parts of yourself,” she said. “Because you’re not yourself. It takes it further when you’re a cat because you’re already doing something silly. So you can go as far as you want. And you really challenge yourself and push your boundaries as an actor, a dancer, and a singer.” 

The hardest part of the rehearsal process has been building up stamina, she said. 

“It doesn’t stop. It’s not a show where you can sit back for a second,” she said. “It’s highly energetic. We’re athletes, and this show has proven to me that we have to treat ourselves like athletes. So, your stamina has to be good, singing and dancing at the same time. In most musical theatre, you sing and dance at the same time, but not like this, this is insane.” 

Being a part of the company reinforced why Cats is so iconic, Levick said. 

“The choreography and music speak for themselves. You don’t get pieces like this anymore. It’s different to any other musical because you step into an entirely new world,” said Levick, “You’ll watch it and recognise the movements, and it’s such a joy to see all those details come together. I love the world we get to explore, and how the choreography really transforms us into cats. Everything has a purpose, every song, every dance move, and that’s what makes Cats so special. There’s truly nothing else like it.”