If you’re looking to fill the rather large Andrew Lloyd Webber-shaped hole in your life that’s been left following the closure of the recent revival of Evita; you’re going to want to hear this. It’s just been announced that a brand new adaptation of his much-loved musical, CATSwill be gracefully twirling back in to London next summer for the first time in over a decade.
Feline-fanatics may be aware that the original West End production of CATS opened at the New London Theatre in 1981. And it ran for a rather impressive 21 years (making it one of the West-End‘s longest running productions). The show then made a very fleeting return to the capital city in 2014, and – well – perhaps the less we say about the movie adaptation the better. But basically, what I’m trying to say is that London has seen a distinct lack of Jellicle cats in recent years. However, all that is about to change.
The 2026 revival will take place at London’s beloved Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, having snapped up the theatre’s sought-after July-September spot. CATS will mark the third Lloyd Webber work to hit the stage of the enchanting open-air theatre in the last decade, following in the footsteps of al-fresco adaptations of both Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
If you’re not particularly familiar with the work of Lloyd Webber, CATS is a musical adaptation of T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. Featuring the legendary likes of ‘Memory’, ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’, and ‘Jellicle Ball’the story follows a tribe of cats that meet each year at the Jellicle Ball to find out which of them is the ‘chosen one’.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of CATS will be directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie (the theatre’s Artistic Director), and produced by Michael Harrison. No cast or further creative team has yet been announced, but we’ll (of course) keep you in the loop as soon as we find out. It’s already been revealed that once the run at Regent’s Park is over, the production will embark on a major UK tour. And, well, it all sounds pretty purr-fect to us.
Drew McOnie 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.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “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.”
CATS will run at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from July 25 – September 12, 2026. Tickets go on sale to members at 12pm on October 23, and to the general public at 12pm on October 28. Find out more and plan your visit here.
