Shona Mairi Masson trained at Skelton Hooper School of Dance before embarking on a professional stage career
Shona Mairi Masson as a child performed in many shows across Hull(Image: Submitted)
When the cast of touring musical theatre sensation Cats slink into Hull next week, Hull-born actress Shona Mairi Masson will be heading straight to the chippy. Shona, from North Ferriby, is excited to bring her castmates to her home city, and is keen to introduce them to Hull’s old buildings, let them taste chip spice, and take them to The Deep.
Now 27, Shona began her dance career as a child at Skelton Hooper School of Dance and was cast as a child actor in many productions when they toured in Hull. “Working on Cats is a career bucket list item for me”, she said. As a youngster Shona appeared at Hull New Theatre multiple times. Her youth acting credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Scrooge , where she had her first speaking role acting opposite Tommy Steele.
Back then, the theatre was much different, and she can’t wait to return to Hull New Theatre next week. She said: “After becoming the City of Culture it got that big injection of funding. It wasn’t quite as glamorous in my childhood. Now, people from the company who aren’t from Hull look forward to performing here.”
“I’m going to be sending them all my recommendations: a tour of the old town, Humber Street, Trinity Market, all the key areas. It’s quite nice because with UK touring there’s usually someone with an association to each place we go to. They are all very excited about The Deep, although fish and cats are not a good combination!”
Shona is cast as a “swing” cast member – the traditional word would have been understudy – so there are eight possible parts she could be called upon to jump into at a moment’s notice if another cast member cannot fulfil their duties. She said: “I cover eight different roles within the show. I could be asked to go on on any particular evening. This could be particularly challenging because every single cat is a named role with their own features, so there’s lots of information, but it’s very exciting to be a part of.”
The cast kicked off the tour down in Plymouth and are preparing to make the long drive up to Hull for eight shows next week. There will be a mixture of matinees and evening performances starting on Tuesday 20 October and running to Saturday 24 October. The show enjoyed a residency over the summer at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, where Shona was called upon to perform several times. She said performing outside was a “wild experience”, with “baking hot sunshine in the matinees and sometimes you’re dancing in the rain in the evenings”.
Her childhood memories of Hull theatres include seeing a touring show of Cats , which she remembers vividly for the audience interaction. The new show is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie. Shona said: “The show itself – Cats – is 45 years old this year. This is the first major revival of the UK tour. People who are fans will see it as recognisable but it’s also very modern, and there are things that people won’t see coming. It’s a more feral version of cats than the original.”
Tickets are available on the Hull Theatres website.
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