One of theatre’s most iconic musicals is coming to Artscape over the upcoming holiday season.
Cats will open at Artscape on Wednesday 10 December before moving to Johannesburg’s Teatro at Montecasino on 17 January.
Lloyd Webber’s score
The South African production features Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated score, including the unforgettable ballad “Memory”, alongside choreography, costumes and an oversized junkyard set.
Associate director and choreographer Chrissie Cartwright and musical supervisor Peter McCarthy will bring the production to life, honouring the creative vision of original director Trevor Nunn, designer John Napier, and the late Gillian Lynne, whose choreography continues to define the show’s distinctive style.
Cast
The South African cast includes Cindy Ann Abrahams as Grizabella, King B as Old Deuteronomy, Dylan Janse van Rensburg as Rum Tum Tugger, and Che-jean Jupp as Munkustrap.
The ensemble features Stephan van der Walt as Admetus/Macavity, Sibusiso Mxosana as Alonzo, Sipesihle Ngamlana as Bill Bailey, Tatum Coleman as Bombalurina, Tshepo Ncokoane as Bustopher Jones/Gus, Michael Fullard as Carbuckety, Hannah Marshall as Cassandra, and Darren Rockman as Coricopat.
Global appeal
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical premiered in London’s West End in 1981, playing nearly 9 000 performances over 21 years.
Cats has since been staged in over 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and seen by more than 77 million people worldwide.
The story follows the Jellicle Cats who gather for their annual Jellicle Ball to decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.
“We are delighted to bring Cats back to South Africa. It remains one of the most exciting and emotionally rich musicals ever written,” said producer Pieter Toerien.
*Tickets are available at Webtickets and the Artscape Box Office on 021 421 7695.
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