A new production of Cats will run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from July 25, 2026, to September 12, 2026, with a press night on August 6, 2026. followed by a major UK and Ireland tour. Directed and choreographed by RPOAT Artistic Director, Drew McOnie, this brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's global sensation is sure to be the theatrical event of 2026. The production will then embark on a major UK & Ireland Tour from October 2026 through July 2027.
Description[]
In Summer 2026, a brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation CATS leaps into the magical outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. And each of them asks, because each of them dares, who will it be?
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with a legendary score featuring , Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory, this production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director Drew McOnie (Jesus Christ Superstar, Brigadoon), is sure to be one of the theatrical events of 2026.
Following a limited London run of just 7 weeks, this production will undertake a major UK tour through to July 2027.
Production Details[]
Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, the Summer 2026 production of Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (RPOAT) is officially planned to return to its original production score, reverting changes introduced during the 2003 UK/European Tour by combining specific historical elements from the 1981 London and 1982 Broadway versions.[1]
Drew McOnie's Late April Fools' Day Prank at the 2026 Olivier Awards - A Surprise First Look[]
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Royal Albert Hall where the 2026 Olivier Awards is held (eleven days after the actual April Fools' Day), McOnie pulls a late April Fools' Day prank to trick fans of the musical Cats into thinking the production would "move away from the legwarmers plus facepaint of yore (plus "no more stupid wigs or costumes", according to fans)" by introducing the entire cast in John Napier's classic Cats costumes recreating the Cat King's Parade scene from Studio Ghibli's The Cat Returns onto the stage, with Old Deuteronomy presenting the next award with the help of Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger.
| “ | And you thought I was forgoing all the classics and stuff? Well, guess what. April fool, London! | „ |
| ~ Drew McOnie on having revealed the 2026 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production cast of Cats |
| “ | RUM TUM TUGGER: Yo, London! It's good to be back, isn't it? (the crowd responds with loud roars of excitement yet agreement) MUNKUSTRAP: Well, that reaction isn't necessary, folks. We're just here to present the next Olivier award. That's all. |
„ |
| ~ Rum Tum Tugger and Munkustrap on introducing themselves before Old Deuteronomy presenting the next Olivier Award |
This April Fools' Day joke soon goes viral due to a severe case of nostalgia.
The Following Press Launch Conference[]
One month later, a press launch conference is held aboard the HMS Belfast, hosted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Drew McOnie, featuring a preview performance from the same cast that appeared on the 2026 Olivier Awards (which includes Sillabub's solo in "The Moments of Happiness", "The Naming of Cats", Victoria's ballet solo in "The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball", and "Jellicle Ball"). There, Webber and McOnie announce their full plans to revive the musical Cats in London. The conference, covered by BBC News, is livestreamed globally. In their interview, Webber and McOnie, accompanied by the cast after their preview performance, reveal that, eight to nine years since the closing performance of the 2016-2017 Broadway revival of Cats (one night before the 2017 New Year's Eve celebration), Andy Blankenbuehler, an American dancer, choreographer and director who worked for the 2016 Broadway revival production and 2019 movie adaptation, still keeps his promise to return the musical back to the way it was before the 2003 UK Tour by combining specific historical elements from the 1981 London and 1982 Broadway versions.
Gillian Lynne Theatre Engagement[]
Once the UK & Ireland Tour is done in July 2027, there will be an engagement at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, where the original production of Cats took place from 1981 to 2002.
Hollywood Bowl Engagement[]
After the production closes at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, it will hold a special engagement at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the renewed Broadway at the Bowl series.
50th Anniversary US Tour[]
On the musical's 50th anniversary, the production will ultimately tour the United States, with its first venue taking place at the Ferguson Center for the Arts' Diamonstein Concert Hall in Newport News, Virginia. This production will be much different than the other current production of Cats on Broadway (titled Cats: The Jellicle Ball) being performed at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.
Cast and Creatives[]
Roles w/ Casting Calls[]
Based on the 2007-2010 Australasian Tour and the 2014-2015 Asian Tour, the following 22 roles, plus a set of 5 onstage swings understudying specific characters, are featured in this production in alphabetical order:
- Admetus: A walking cover track specifically required to understudy the demanding roles of Old Deuteronomy and the Asparagus/Bustopher Jones/Growltiger triple-role.
- Alonzo / Rumpus Cat: Requires a strong baritone with high physical agility to double as the heroic Great Rumpus Cat.
- Asparagus / Bustopher Jones / Growltiger: An operatic tenor role requiring high character versatility to play the elderly Gus, the elite Bustopher, and the pirate Growltiger.
- Bombalurina: A triple-threat performer with a strong high belt; must possess a commanding, statuesque presence.
- Cassandra: An elegant, high-level technical dancer, often appearing in the "Raffish Crew" ensemble tracks.
- Coricopat / Macavity's Hench-cat: A high-level technical dancer; must have the precision required for synchronized movement with Tantomile.
- Demeter: A triple-threat role requiring a strong high belt and an intense, nervous energy on stage.
- Electra: A female swing track; serves as a primary understudy for female kittens only.
- George: A male swing track; serves as a primary understudy for male kittens only.
- Grizabella: Requires a soprano with a powerful, iconic belt (up to E-flat) to deliver the show’s centerpiece, "Memory".
- Jellylorum / Griddlebone: A soprano role requiring operatic range for the role of Griddlebone in the "Growltiger’s Last Stand" sequence.
- Jennyanydots: A soprano role that requires excellent tap-dancing skills for the "Gumbie Cat" sequence.
- Mr. Mistoffelees: A high baritone role that demands the production’s most technically proficient male dancer, capable of extensive turns and leaps.
- Mungojerrie / Lead Pollicle (aka "Little Tom"): A strong baritone and agile acrobat/dancer; often doubles as the "Lead Pollicle" (Little Tom).
- Munkustrap: A baritone with a commanding presence and strong storytelling ability to act as the show's narrator.
- Old Deuteronomy: A high baritone or tenor with a rich, authoritative voice and a dignified stage presence.
- Olivia: A female swing track; serves as a primary understudy for adult female roles only.
- Plato / Macavity: A high-level technical dancer who doubles as the production’s primary antagonist.
- Pouncival / Lead Beetle: A high-energy dancer/acrobat; also takes on the role of "Lead Beetle" during the Tap sequence.
- Quaxo: A male swing track; serves as a primary understudy for adult male roles only.
- Rum Tum Tugger: A rock tenor role requiring a performer with high charisma and a flamboyant "rock star" persona.
- Rumpleteazer / Lead Peke: A strong high belt and agile dancer; often doubles as the "Lead Peke" in the Pollicle sequence.
- Sillabub: A soprano with a pure, youthful "angelic" tone; often provides the high-octave counterpoint in "Memory".
- Skimbleshanks: A high baritone or tenor with strong character acting and folk-dance skills for the "Railway Cat" number.
- Tantomile / Macavity's Hench-cat: A high-level technical dancer required to perform intricate, mirrored movements with Coricopat.
- Tumblebrutus / Genghis the Lead Siamese: An athletic dancer/acrobat who takes on the aggressive lead role in the "Siamese" sequence.
- Victoria: A classically trained female dancer with exceptional flexibility, serving as the featured solo dancer for the "Jellicle Ball".
Creative Team[]
- Producers: Michael Harrison and Regents Park Open Air Theatre
- Executive Producer: LW Entertainment
- Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Lyricist: T.S. Eliot
- Director & Choreographer: Drew McOnie (recreating Trevor Nunn's directions and Gillian Lynne's choreography)
- Original Director: Trevor Nunn
- Original Choreographer: Gillian Lynne
- Production Consultants: Chrissie Cartwright, Jo-Anne Robinson, Richard Stafford, John Yost, and Andy Blankenbuehler
- Musical Supervisor: Kristen Blodgette
- Costume Designer: John Napier
- Costume Supervisors: Tracy Stiles and Armin Werner
- Set Designer: John Napier
- Associate Set Designers: Alan Walker and Raymond Huessy
- Lighting Designer: David Hersey
- Associate Lighting Designer: Howard Eaton
- Sound Designer: Greg Pink
- Makeup Designer: Karen Dawson
- Wig Designer: Jennifer Dean
- Orchestrator: David Cullen
Orchestra[]
See the score here.
Gallery[]
John Napier's Costume Designs[]
