CATS – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless musical fantasy celebrates its 25th birthday this summer with its debut visit to South Wales. Cardiff’s New Theatre is the proud host which celebrates a big birthday of it’s own in 2006 – it’s 100th anniversary! CATS runs for a limited season of 4 weeks from 20 June until 15 July.Based on T.S Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- breaking adaptation CATS is directed by Trevor Nunn, with choreography by Gillian Lynne and set and costume design by John Napier. Including one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical scores, spectacular set design, extraordinary costumes and stunning choreography, CATS is a uniquely magical musical. On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle Choice and announces which of them will go up to the heaviside layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life. Music, dance and verse fuse together in an enchanting blend of fantasy, drama and romance. CATS opened at the New London Theatre on 11 May 1981 and played almost 9000 performances, seen by over eight million people. It closed on 11 May 2002, having celebrated 21 record-breaking years and winning an Olivier Award for Best Musical. To date, CATS remains the world’s longest running musical. On Broadway, it was winner of 7 Tony Awards (including Best Musical and Best Director) and ran for an amazing 18 years, making it second only to The Phantom of the Opera as Broadway’s the longest running musical. CATS has featured some of this country’s most famous stage performers, including Elaine Paige (‘Grizabella’), Wayne Sleep (‘Mungojerrie’), Bonnie Langford (‘Rumpelteazer’), Paul Nicholas (‘Rum Tum Tugger’), Brian Blessed (‘Old Deuteronomy’), Sarah Brightman (‘Jemima‘) and Rosemarie Ford (‘Bombalurina’ & ‘Grizabella’). CATS continues to be a worldwide musical phenomenon and has been seen by over 50 million people. It has enchanted audiences in over 300 cities, in 26 countries around the world, yet this spectacular show has never ventured to South Wales – until now! In its own centenary year, Cardiff’s New Theatre is proud to present the 25th anniversary production of CATS. With astounding songs such as Macavity and Mr Mistoffelees, the magic of this musical is sure to live in the Memory forever… Evening performances are at 7.30pm with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Ticket prices start at £8.50 and can be booked through the New Theatre Box Office on 029 2087 8889 or online* at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk. *Online bookings are subject to a small transaction charge. |
| New Theatre Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Friday, June 9, 2006 |
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