I have to admit, the first time I saw Cats I was a slightly awkward teenager who didn't quite get why grown adults were pretending to be felines. Yet here we are, decades on, and the old magic is stirring again. Previews for a brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic began yesterday at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and something about it feels quietly reassuring in a world that too often chases the next fleeting trend.
The show, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, draws straight from T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. That literary root has always given the piece a certain dignity. You get the familiar songs, Memory of course, but also The Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy and Macavity: The Mystery Cat, delivered with the sort of craft that reminds you theatre can still be communal, joyful and properly rooted in the Western storytelling tradition that has entertained generations.
McOnie, who happens to be the artistic director at Regent's Park, brings his own history to the project. As a former cast member he knows the piece inside out. He said, "As for many dancers in the industry, Cats was a transformative experience for me and as a former cast member it's thrilling to be directing and choreographing this brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical. I can't wait to share this much-loved piece with a new generation of audiences both in the stunning outdoor setting of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and in theatres across the UK. With the production heading out on tour, we are delighted that it will reach audiences across the country after its London run, continuing our commitment to working with partners – in this case the brilliant Michael Harrison – to ensure our work is seen by as many as possible beyond our home in Regent’s Park."
Lloyd Webber himself sounded genuinely chuffed. "I am very excited to see a totally new production of Cats back on the stage where it belongs. I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles," he offered in the announcement. There's a nice full-circle feeling to it all. The original set and costume design comes from John Napier, another link to the show's storied past.
Producer Michael Harrison clearly shares the enthusiasm. "I am delighted that we will be presenting a brand new production of Cats next summer. Drew is an outstanding artist and it has long felt destined that he would one day reinvent this great musical. Andrew and I are excited to be working with him and his team at Regent's Park, and we look forward to the Jellicle Moon shining brightly on this thrilling new production in the splendour of the Open Air Theatre and at major theatres across the country as part of the new U.K. tour."
