The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, ‘Cats’ is currently playing at Birmingham Hippodrome as part of its major UK and Ireland tour presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals.
This spectacular new production stars acclaimed West End performer Louise Dearman (Wicked, Gravity) in the iconic role of Grizabella. To mark the arrival of the spectacular production of Cats in the city, Diante Lodge who plays the role of Macavity the Mystery Cat, visited Helios at The Exchange; a breath-taking, large-scale illuminated sculpture by acclaimed British artist Luke Jerram giving an immersive and rare opportunity to gaze at our closest star.
Cats is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.
The ground-breaking production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards, including Best Musical. It ran for 18 years.
Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 54 countries, has been translated into 23 languages and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide. The Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.
In 2026, Cats will also embark on 2 major international tours. The production is directed by Drew McOnie. Completing the creative team are Sami Fendall, Set, Costume and Wigs Designer; Jessica Hung Han Yun, Lighting Designer; Adam Fisher, Sound Designer; Guy Common, Makeup Designer; Ingrid Mackinnon, Intimacy Director; Kev McCurdy, Fight Director; Will Burton, Casting Director and Alex Parker, Musical Supervisor.
Cats plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 7 November.
