Adapted from TS Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, this “groundbreaking musical” (Daily Express) comes together in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse, and has now taken on a new life for a new generation.

CATS, one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The ground-breaking production, originally directed by Trevor Nunn and featuring musical staging by Gillian Lynne, was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for 18 years.

Since its world premiere, CATS has been presented all over the world, in many different languages and still performs to millions of audience members worldwide today. The Broadway cast recording also won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.

The magnificent musical score includes one of the most treasured songs in musical theatre —‘Memory’, which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow.

With universal appeal and an expandable cast of different age groups, the show has not only been presented in theatres, but also in tents in Japan and Korea, an engine shed in Switzerland and school gymnasiums across the USA.

Music By Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics By T. S. Eliot, Trevor Nunn & Richard Stilgoe
Based On T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”
Original Direction By Trevor Nunn
Original Choreography By Gillian Lynne
Opened 11 May 1981 at New London Theatre in London
Olivier Awards
2 awards including Musical of the Year
Grammy Awards
2 awards
Evening Standard Awards
Best Musical
Tony Awards
8 awards including Best Musical & Best Original Score
Drama Desk Awards
3 awards
The France Molière Awards
Best Musical
Outer Critics’ Circle Awards
Best Musical
Dora Mavor Moore Awards
7 awards

Music Releases

Cats

Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2019)

Unmasked: The Platinum Collection

Deluxe Edition
(2019)

Cats

Original London Cast
(1981)

TV & Movies

Cats

2019

Masterpiece

2002

Royal Albert Hall Celebration

1998

Cats

1998

Licensing Cats

Interested in staging your very own production of Cats with your school or group? We can’t wait to hear about it! Please remember, though, that applications to licence the show are subject to review and availability, and will differ based on various elements.

Find out more information and apply below, or via your local licensing agent: