Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS returns to South African stages

Presented by Pieter Toerien and GWB Entertainment, in collaboration with The Really Useful Group and Cape Town Opera, the show will open at Artscape in Cape Town on 10 December 2025 before transferring to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg from 17 January 2026.

Featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score, including the timeless ballad Memory, CATS is celebrated for its inventive choreography, elaborate costumes, and visually striking oversized set. Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical invites audiences into the whimsical world of the Jellicle Cats for one enchanting evening as they gather for the mystical Jellicle Ball.

“We’re excited to bring CATS back to South Africa,” producer Pieter Toerien said. “It’s a production that continues to inspire generations and is perfect for families and audiences of all ages.”

First staged in 1981 at London’s New London Theatre, CATS ran for 21 years and nearly 9 000 performances. It has since been staged in over 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and seen by more than 77 million people worldwide.

The upcoming South African production will retain the original creative vision, with design by John Napier, choreography by the late Gillian Lynne, and direction by Trevor Nunn, all key figures behind the show’s award-winning legacy.

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