"I'm just another kid with a crush on the lovely "Jemima", both character and person. I've yet to see Cats live, but truly enjoy every minute of the video, dubbed or not. I thought I'd just toss a few more lines of admiration on to the heap of affection already poured forth on this page." -TW

"Of course, after several more viewings, I've realized, "Hey, she's a pretty good dancer, too." And this is how I got hooked up on Ms. Casteleyn. She seems to have this "liveliness" -- a fluid movement that's missing in most of other performers. And I found that quality to be very entertaining and mesmerizing."

"She is really quite special and I predict she will have a fantastic career. I wish I was 25 years younger. If I was, I wouldn't be sitting here writing to you. I'd be in good old Mother England, moving' heaven and earth to get close to you-know-who."

"I think what impressed me most about Ms. Casteleyn. is the quality of her  voice. Clear as a trumpet, soft as morning mist, it will only mature as she becomes older. She also has a remarkable presence on the stage. She does a great job in creating conditions where it is possible to suspend disbelief. Finally, I think she is just plain cute, a delight to the eye, a smile on a miserable day. "

"Veerle is incredible. I've had a few emails asking for info on her, and I don't have any! She has the most gorgeous voice I've ever heard - it still makes me shiver after seeing the video about 20 times! I find her solos on the video to cheer myself up when I'm depressed. And, of course, there's the added bonus that she's completely, adorably yummy as well! Yes, I'm in love!"

"Jemima's my favorite, and I think Veerle Casteleyn does a great job (the fact she's gorgeous has nothing to do with that opinion!). I wish I had a CD of this production; I'd like to be able to hear her sing in my car too."

"JEMIMA. Gawd, I love her. And I love her for a different reason than what most people think. I was a self-destructive, psychotic, maniacal beast before I saw and heard Veerle. She single-handedly changed my life. Yes, I first saw her on PBS last year while they were running the "Great Performances"/pledge drive. Although I had given up drinking earlier in the year, I was still having horrible hallucinations and rather disturbing nightmares of unspeakable horrors. I didn't give a f**ck about anybody or anything, including myself. One night, while recovering from a nightmare that I had when I dozed off earlier, I started to flip through the channels. I buzzed by channel 12 {our local PBS outlet around here} and saw that they were doing some opera, and so I kept going. I hit channel 22 {which is MPT for Maryland} and the first thing I heard was the sweetest voice in the world say "Can you find your way blind, when your lost in the street?". I just sat there in my little apartment, focusing my attention on this beautiful and graceful, fun loving little cat like person. When the intermission came on, I screamed {really} "GET THE HELL OFF MY TV AND PUT THAT CATGIRL BACK ON!!!". Then, still angry that they had interrupted my viewing of who I later learned was Jemima, learned that this was Cats. So, I wound up watching the whole thing, only wanting more after it was over. To my surprise, after screaming a long line of obscenities at my TV, the showed it again!! I watched the entire program all over again, only leaving to go to relieve myself or get a snack while the intermissions were running. I was desperate to get that movie, and I was willing to shell out a hundred bucks to get it, then I was at the mall one day, getting some t-shirts from The Hot Topic, decided to look in the video store. I was floored when I saw the display. A leaping catgirl from TV was on the top, and I recognized her instantly. Needless to say, I couldn't get my money out fast enough!!!! Only 20 bucks?!?!?! Ill take it!!!! I tried to buy the display with the image of my only love interest on it,{I offered another $20 for it alone} but I couldn't get it. So, you see, Veerle broke into my hardened soul, and breathed new life into it with her performance. Do you believe in love at first sight? When I saw the making of Cats, I immediately recognized Veerle and enjoyed her even more. So in a way, she sort of saved my life. Since watching her, {and enjoying the rest of the production as well} the hallucinations have subsided,and although I still cant sleep too well, haven't had a nightmare to the magnitude of what I used to have. So I owe it to her to thank her in person. She deserves it. The "theres a peek into my soul"  -By Zombie Cat

"Russia? My crush on her has reached astrometric proportions, so we are talking light-years now..."

"Saw CATS again yesterday. It's one of the great joys of my life 'cos it's just such a wonderful way to shut out the boredom of everyday life to come into the world of the Jellicles. You also get to see Veerle which is just as important, like yesterday; I always have a feeling of great expectation before her first entry which is resolved the moment she starts singing. A shiver went down my spine and down into my
toenails. As the show went on, there were as always many Veerle goodies to enjoy. I smiled as she languidly pursued the Tugger, showing her lovely,innocent and unaware sexiness. I then gasped as she during "Old Deuteronomy" made an incredible stretch that would have broken the leg on any normal person, I marvelled at her fabolous body control, especially towards the end of "The Jellicle Ball" where
she and the Tugger are up front (notice the dramatic difference in height between those two), man can she ever dance! I sighed affectionately when she scratched herself just like a real cat. Isn't she just so adorable you want to have her purring in your lap for ever and ever? And then she sang. And it tore through the depths of my soul, broke all emotional barriers and filled my entire body with a warm wave of
yearning. Oh, that singing! You felt like after hearing it you could just lay down and die, knowing that you've seen what's on the other side.This happens every time without exceptions, only that it seems to be  getting stronger and stronger. I think it's love. A difficult and at times hopeless feeling of love hard to cope with, but I believe it's real all the same. But what can you do when your heart belongs to someone whom you have never met, someone you know practically nothing about and the chances are slim that you'll ever meet her? It's awful, yet it's wonderful and fantastic. I wish she knew about this. I even more wish for the opportunity to meet her and tell her in person how much she means to me, and thank her for  all the joyous and magical experiences she has given me. In return, I'd give her my never-ceasing love and admiration.
What I wouldn't give for that day when it would become reality. In the meantime I'll continue to watch CATS over and over to keep my dream alive." -By Erik Berndalen

On Veerle Casteleyn as Jemima   
There are probably a lot of words one could use in describing Veerle Casteleyn as Jemima, but one that comes to mind is effanineffable. To satisfactorily depict the complexities Veerle brings to the role is ineffable. She is perfect in the paradoxical role of a mature kitten. Jemima is a very interesting cat. Like her fellow kittens, she is lively and fun-loving, dancing with her soft naivet� throughout the show.  However, she seems to be the cat who understands Grizabella best. She seems to look on the wondrous things of the world with wide and clear eyes,  unmistakably full of innate and hidden wisdom. To borrow a phrase from my story  "The Abandoned Garden," "Like an ethereal light placed too high to reach, Jemima--though young and vibrant--still had the serenity of an unearthly creature." Veerle Casteleyn communicated all this immaculately. Her beauty matched only by her grace, she was spectacularly feline. With subtle dexterity and fluidity, and without ever speaking a word of her own story, she still conjured up her own allegory for us. I do not think I can praise her too highly. Veerle has given everyone who has watched her--as those who have been fortunate enough to see her at the New London Theatre in Drury Lane, or those who have witnessed her genius only in the video, like me--a gift. But to me she will always have a distinctive place in my favor.
In early December 1998, I decided I wanted to tell her what I've told you, so I wrote to her. I did not expect a reply. But, being the naive creature I am, I hoped infinitely for one. On December 23, what should arrive in my mailbox but a small, square envelope marked "Par Avion" and my address in an elegant European hand.
Ms. Casteleyn had sent me a beautiful Christmas card, in which she thanked me for my letter and gave me her best wishes. This simple act of generosity will make me forever aware of Ms.
Casteleyn's kindness as well as her wonderful acting.  So, Ms. Casteleyn, if these lines ever fall under your eye, thank you. You were a superbly entertaining Cat. -By Leslie McMurtry