Oxford audiences will see the return of CATS when a new production of the long-running musical arrives at New Theatre Oxford in March 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The production, presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, will run in Oxford from 23 to 27 March 2027 after opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
For Oxford theatre fans, the return of CATS marks a long-awaited moment. It marks the first time the musical has returned to Oxford since 2016, bringing the Jellicle tribe back to the city after more than a decade.
The new production comes direct from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, artistic director of the London venue.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot and and featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable score, the musical takes audiences into the mysterious world of the Jellicle cats on one special night of the year, when they gather beneath the Jellicle moon and Old Deuteronomy must decide which cat will be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new life..
Packed with extraordinary choreography, dazzling costumes and timeless songs including Memory, Jellicle Ball, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, and Old Deuteronomy, this electrifying production promises a thrilling theatrical experience for audiences of all ages
CATS first opened in London’s West End in 1981 and has since been performed in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages and seen by more than 77 million people worldwide.
Drew McOnie said:
“As for many dancers in the industry, CATS was a transformative experience for me, and as a former cast member, it’s thrilling to be directing and choreographing this brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical.
“I can’t wait to share this much-loved piece with a new generation of audiences both in Regent’s Park and across the UK.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber added:
“I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs. I can think of no one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”
