In July of 1985, a groundbreaking musical production had its Australian premiere, at Sydney’s Theatre Royal. Now, 40 years later, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘CATS’ returns to Sydney. . . Celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats’, and set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, ‘CATS’ has captivated audiences ever since its 1981 opening in London. There, it played for 21 record-breaking years, and almost 9,000 performances. . . Winning the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical.
Since, it has been presented in more than 50 countries, translated into 23 languages, and has been seen by more than 81 million people across the globe. On Broadway, it played for 18 years and took home seven Tony Awards.
“‘CATS’ is a legendary show that I’ve admired for over 40 years. A sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse, it was revolutionary when it first opened and enticed new audiences into the world of musical theatre,” Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live says. “I can’t wait to bring the original production of ‘CATS’ back to Australia where it all began, at Theatre Royal Sydney, to celebrate its 40th anniversary in Australia.”
'CATS' international tour - Image © Alessandro Pinna
‘CATS’ tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. One one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy, their leader, makes the Jellicle choice, announcing which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
The musical score includes ‘Memory’, which has been recorded by the likes of Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Scherzinger, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Barry Manilow.
Waitlist now.
‘CATS’ plays Theatre Royal Sydney from June 2025.
