Cat with a Capital ‘C’

In this adaptation of ‘Puss in Boots’, Siska Goeminne and Sebastiaan Van Doninck revitalise the old tale of the faithful cat who brings his master wealth and a wife through trickery and deceit. The Cat (with a capital ‘C’) is so devious and cunning that by the end of the story, he has cleverly talked his master into going to prison, so he can take his master’s place and marry the mayor’s pretty daughter himself.

The story is set in 1940s’ New York, where Fiorello Henry La Guardia rules the roost. Van Doninck evokes the city beautifully with his colourful paintings. The Cat’s furtive glance instantly reveals his less-than-honourable intentions with regard to Johnny, the youngest son of the deceased biscuit maker. He gets dumb Johnny to dance to his tune like the Marquis of Carabas, ultimately talking him right to the gallows. Van Doninck brings tension and life to the story with his powerful compositions, beautiful watercolour tints and bright colours as needed. This classic tale-with-a-twist is a veritable feast for the eye.