Record-holder Cats Starts 21st Anniversary TourDate: 19 February 2003
Andrew Lloyd Webber's world record-holder Cats began another of its nine lives last night (18 February 2003) when it opened a new nationwide tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth a new nationwide tour (See News, 17 Sep 2002). The musical meowed out of the West End on its 21st birthday, 11 May 2002. The six-month, 21st anniversary tour - co-produced by the Theatre Royal - will continue until 16 August 2003, visiting six further venues.
Based on the 14 poems of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by TS Eliot, Cats is set to music by Lloyd Webber, whose score includes now-classic songs such as "The Jellicle Ball", "Old Deuteronomy", "Mr Mistoffolees" and, most notably, "Memory".
The musical first opened in London in 1981 with a cast that included Elaine Paige, Brian Blessed, Paul Nicholas and dancer Wayne Sleep. Original direction was by Trevor Nunn, with associate direction and choreography by Gillian Lynne, design by John Napier and lighting by David Hersey.
In 1996, Cats became the holder of the record for longest-running musical on the both sides of the Atlantic. Before closing in September 2000, the Broadway production had clocked up 18 years.
In London the show grossed over £136 million and was seen by more than eight million people, attending nearly 9,000 performances. Worldwide, the musical has taken in excess of $2.5 billion, been performed in 11 different languages in over 300 cities in 26 countries and been seen by more than 50 million people in total.
Cats was originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group. The 21st anniversary tour is produced by David Ian for ClearChannel Entertainment, in association with the Theatre Royal. Following Plymouth, the new production will visit Manchester, Wolverhampton, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Belfast and Blackpool.
- by Terri Paddock
