Cape Town audiences are privileged to see the return to our stage of CATS – one of the most iconic and beloved musicals in theatre history – after 25 years since it was first performed here. Although it’s now more than 40 years since the musical was first performed, it shows no signs of losing its popularity – evidenced by the capacity audiences at each show at the Artscape this December.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, CATS first premiered in London’s West End in 1981 and went on to play nearly 9 000 performances, breaking records and redefining musical theatre. Since its debut, the show has been staged in over 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and seen by more than 77 million people around the world. Its enduring appeal lies in the magical fusion of music, poetry, dance, and storytelling. At its core, CATS invites audiences into the mysterious world of the Jellicle Cats, who gather for their annual Jellicle Ball to decide which one among them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.
The show runs in Cape Town until 11 January 2026, and then opens in Johannesburg later that month.
Bursting with energy, CATS features Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated score, including the unforgettable ballad Memory, along with breathtaking choreography, dazzling costumes and an extraordinary, oversized junkyard set.
The South African season showcases a stellar, local cast, not at all short of world-class talent. The dancing and acrobatics are truly impressive, and the quality of the voices in this production is wonderful, with familiar scores such as Memory, and Macavity: The Mystery Cat placed in the context of the tale, beautifully supported by the wonderful musical score originally developed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. While Elaine Page may have immortalised Memory, the rendition of this beautiful piece by local performer Cindy Ann Abrahams will long be remembered by the Cape Town audience, which gave her a standing ovation for her singing.
Jewish dancer and actress Tannah Levick – whom we wrote about in our December/January edition – takes on the role of Rumpleteazer, in which she showcases her talent as a dancer, an actress, and a singer. Serving as an understudy for a number of other roles, she has taken on a huge task as a performer. A relative newcomer to professional performance, Tannah is clearly a performer with a bright future.
It is certainly encouraging to experience a quality show of this sort in Cape Town. Highlighting the talent we have locally, coupled with world-class directors, choreographers, set designers, and musicians, this production can hold its head high. As one former Capetonian now living in London, a regular theatre-goer, commented, “This production is as good, if not better, than anything I’ve seen in London.”
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