Cats

The West End Classic is Finally Back!

At first, there are only gleaming eyes. A purr here, a soft hiss there. Under the silvery light of a full moon on a starry night, a London junkyard transforms into the ballroom of the Jellicle Cats—named after the English children's term derived from "dear little cats." We might simply call them kitty cats. With breathtakingly acrobatic choreography, magic tricks, and swinging hips, the character cats compete for the favor of their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy. He will choose the one cat who gets to experience the miracle of rebirth! One by one, the feline contestants introduce themselves. And when the outcast, aging diva Grizabella dares to step forward and sings of happier days, an awe-struck silence fills the air. With “Memory,” she delivers one of the greatest moments in musical history.

From April 9 to September 21, 2025, the world’s most famous cats will finally return to the stages of selected venues in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, proving once again that this masterpiece, even after more than four decades, continues to captivate audiences like never before!

A Unique Success Story

With its world premiere in 1981, CATS revolutionized the musical world forever. Gracefully prowling on all fours, the Jellicle Cats have broken every record imaginable, enchanting over 73 million spectators in more than 30 countries across the globe. And this success story shows no signs of stopping! Even over forty years after its London West End debut, the character cats—from the cunning Macavity and the magical Mr. Mistoffelees to the pure and graceful Victoria and the irresistible rebel Rum Tum Tugger—have lost none of their cross-generational appeal. They continue to mesmerize audiences as diverse as the feline cast itself.

Timeless Melodies and Unique Choreography in a Fresh Production

Starting in April 2025, the classic returns in its original English version—presented in the authentic yet revitalized West End production that was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award as Best Musical Revival in 2015. In the summer of 2022, CATS took the audience at the renowned Semperoper Dresden by storm. The Sächsische Zeitung hailed the triumphant and sold-out three-week run as “A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart! With more energy and sensuality than previous versions, even more atmospheric yet always true to the original.”

This original version is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the celebrated poetry collection by cat lover and Nobel Prize-winning author T.S. Eliot. Playwright and director Trevor Nunn developed a concept that honors Eliot’s linguistic genius while making it work for the stage. To complement this vision, Andrew Lloyd Webber composed his musical masterpiece—a genre-blending score filled with unique melodies that have since become classics themselves. Gillian Lynne’s groundbreaking choreography and John Napier’s iconic costumes—alongside his stunning stage design—complete this theatrical spectacle: a seamless fusion of feline grace and human expression.

With seven Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards to its name, CATS remains unmatched. “Still the ultimate show,” raves The Times. “Immortal melodies, a spectacular stage design, and an outstanding cast,” adds The Daily Mirror. And as the FAZ puts it: “As timeless as West Side Story, for example. During the minutes-long standing ovation at the Alte Oper, many in the audience probably wished they could live like this secretive feline clan: friendly, peaceful, fearless, and free.”