City News

Having celebrated 25 magical years in 2006, “CATS”, one of the world’s best loved and longest running musicals will visit BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME August/September 2007, as part of its continuing UK tour.  CATS will play a limited 4 week season at BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME from Tuesday 14 – Saturday 8 September 2007.

The current UK tour premiered at the New Theatre, Llandudndo on 27 March 2006 and continues its nationwide success, visiting venues throughout the UK in 2007.*

Based on T.S Eliot’s  ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- breaking adaptation “CATS” is directed by Trevor Nunn, with choreography by Gillian Lynne  and set and costume design by John Napier.  Including one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical scores, spectacular set design, extraordinary costumes and stunning choreography, “CATS” is a uniquely magical musical.

On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle Choice and announces which of them will go up to the heaviside layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Music, dance and verse fuse together in an enchanting blend of fantasy, drama and romance.

“CATS” opened at the New London Theatre on 11 May 1981 and played almost 9000 performances, seen by over eight million people.  It closed on 11 May 2002, having celebrated 21 record-breaking years and winning an Olivier Award for Best Musical (1981). To date, “CATS” remains second only to “LES MISERABLES” as the world’s longest running musical. On Broadway, it was winner of 7 Tony Awards (including Best Musical and Best Director) and ran for an amazing 18 years, making it second only to “PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” as Broadway’s the longest running musical.                               

“CATS” continues to be a worldwide musical phenomenon and has been seen by over 50 million people. It has enchanted audiences in over 300 cities, in 26 countries around the world and has been performed in at least 11 different languages. “CATS” was last seen in the UK in 20o4, where it enjoyed a hugely successful tour, playing to sell-out audiences across the country. Back by popular demand, the memory of “CATS” returns with the 2007 UK tour.

“CATS” has featured some of this country’s most famous stage performers, including Elaine Paige (‘Grizabella’), Wayne Sleep (‘Mungojerrie’), Bonnie Langford (‘Rumpelteazer’), Paul Nicholas (‘Rum Tum Tugger’), Brian Blessed (‘Old Deuteronomy’), Sarah Brightman (‘Jemima‘) and Rosemarie Ford (‘Bombalurina’ & ‘Grizabella’).

For the 2007 UK tour of “CATS”, David Ian for Live Nation (formerly Clear Channel Entertainment) presents the Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre production. Re-creating the direction and choreography for the tour is Chrissie Cartwright, musical supervisor is Dan Bowling, associate lighting designer is Howard Eaton and associate sound designer is Greg Pink.