Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical is set against a larger-than-life junkyard playground, where each Jellicle Cat reveals their story during the annual Jellicle Ball. Their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, must ultimately choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer, granting them a new life.
CATS first premiered in London’s West End in 1981, running for a record-breaking 21 years with nearly 9,000 performances. Its Broadway debut followed in 1982, earning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and captivating audiences for 18 years. Since then, the show has been performed in more than 30 countries, translated into 15 languages, and seen by over 73 million people worldwide. The original cast recordings from London and Broadway won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album.
The production features a legendary score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the timeless hit “Memory,” which has been recorded by over 150 artists, from Barbra Streisand to Barry Manilow. The original creative team behind the production included design by John Napier, choreography by Gillian Lynne, and direction by Trevor Nunn, ensuring that every performance is a dazzling combination of song, dance, and spectacle.
With its oversized sets, inventive choreography, and enchanting costumes, CATS continues to be a must-see theatrical phenomenon. The Singapore season is presented by Base Entertainment Asia in association with GWB Entertainment and LW Entertainment, with UOB serving as the official bank partner.