CATS Returns to Theatres in Amsterdam in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum

Producers Ruud de Graaf and Hans Cornelissen announced that they are bringing a reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS to Dutch theatres, in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum. CATS is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' by T. S. Eliot. Leading roles are for Nurlaila Karim, Richard Spijkers, Tessa Sunniva van Tol and Yoran de Bont, among others. The press night will take place on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Royal Theater Carré in Amsterdam.

As evening falls and the museum closes its doors, a hidden world awakens. The cats emerge for the annual Jellicle Ball: the night when all cats gather for a magical and ancient ritual. Step into a surprising new experience of Andrew Lloyd Webber's world-famous musical, CATS. The cats gather in a special place: the Rijksmuseum. Between art and history, they prowl, leap, and dance through the halls, each with their own story and desire. During this enchanting night, the wise leader chooses one cat to be reborn into a new life; the dream every cat yearns for.

Paul van Ewijk is the director of the show, the new translation is by Florus van Rooijen, choreography by Klevis Elmazaj, musical direction by Steven van Gool, and set design by Marjolein Ettema.

Creative producer Hans Cornelissen:

“We took on the challenge of developing a  completely new concept for this iconic title. In this newly reimagined production, the story takes place in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Janneke van der Wijk, Director of Public Affairs at the Rijksmuseum:

"It's wonderful that this musical is set in the Rijksmuseum's Gallery of Honour, a place where stories from different eras converge. In this unique collaboration, T.S. Eliot's magnificent cats and Andrew Lloyd Webber's unforgettable music meet the world of the great masters from our collection. This creates a new connection between visual art and theatre, right in the heart of the museum."

The complete cast with Nurlaila Karim, Richard Spijkers, Tessa Sunniva van Tol, Yoran de Bont, Rosanne Rebergen, Martijn Vogel, Melise de Winter, Yannick Plugers, Stijn Holewijn, Clara Ribant, Nori de Winter, Aimée de Pater, Pim Vergeldt, Delano Willemsen, Eva Nagelhout, Delano Willemsen, Julius de Vriend, Yannick Plugers, Martijn van Voskuijlen, Bram Lugt, Davy Reedijk, Benthe Bokelman, Jur Arp, Esmee Mardjan, Zoë van Zadelhoff, Davina van Engeland, Eelke Dembinski, Jelle Wijgergangs, Ian van Gellekom, Megan Tangkilissan, and Luna Peters.  

The musical CATS will be performed from October 2026 to June 2027 in Amsterdam, Almere, Eindhoven, Groningen, Heerlen, Zoetermeer, Breda, Rotterdam, Apeldoorn, Enschede, Maastricht, Leeuwarden, Spijkenisse, Assen, s' Hertogenbosch, Den Haag, Zwolle, and Utrecht.

The press night will be on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam.