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Cats review: A polished production of Lloyd Webber's baffling o-puss
While Andrew Lloyd Webber's source material is as nonsensical as ever, strong performances and self-aware silliness make this an enjoyable theatrical experience.
Mark Senior
- Joanna Magill
Published: Friday, 7 August 2026 at 12:51 pm
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A star rating of 3 out of 5.
Over the past few years, we've seen something of an Andrew Lloyd Webber renaissance across the West End and Broadway.
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Jamie Lloyd's experimentations with form and video have breathed new life into the US and UK theatre scenes, with his signature sparse costuming and minimalist aesthetics bringing Evita and Sunset Boulevard back into the public consciousness of a new generation.
Meanwhile, off-Broadway, Cats: The Jellicle Ball has flipped traditional theatre on its head, with the ingenious reimagining of Cats as a vogue ballroom competition.
With the huge success of these new productions, it's worth wondering if, decades after their premieres, Lloyd Webber's classic musicals now work better with departures from the source material.
However, this is not a question that will be answered at the latest Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production.
This is a closer reproduction of the original Cats, landing as somewhat experimental and transportive, but ultimately safe.
Cats is famously not a plot-driven musical. Instead of a traditional linear plot line, we are introduced to various cats before Old Deuteronomy decides which lucky cat deserves to go to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn.
The musical relies on lyrical dance and characterisation to tell a story. It demands a lot of its actors, and the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre cast certainly delivered.
Cats. Mark Senior
Standouts include veteran cats Old Deuteronomy and Gus, played by Hadestown's Melanie La Barrie and Gary Wilmot, respectively, each offering a commanding presence. The nimble-footed Skimbleshanks is another highlight, played by Matthew Caputo, while Jaydon Vijn's Rum Tum Tugger is eye-catching in both solo songs and ensemble numbers, exuding an impressive amount of sex appeal for someone dressed as an anthropomorphic cat.
Kudos must also be given to Taziva-Faye Katsande, who stood in for Rachael Wooding as Grizabella, offering a standing ovation-worthy interpretation of Memory. It's difficult to believe that this actress is only 19, and it will certainly be exciting to see where her career goes from here.
It is my firm belief that Cats is one of the rare musicals where the second act outshines the first, and this fact is made even more apparent in this production, as Sami Fendall's eye-catching set truly transforms once the sun sets, transporting us into the dark underbelly of London cats.
While Act One takes itself perhaps a little too seriously for a musical about dancing cats, Act Two is where it really begins to lean into its ridiculousness. And it pays off. It also feels like the cast themselves felt more at home in the second act, with noticeably tighter numbers.
Drew McOnie's new choreography for the show feels fresh, incorporating elements of jazz, street and break dance, as well as the traditional ballet. McOnie's choreography really shines in moments of frenzy, highlighting the contrast between mad furore and lithe, stalking movements – which any cat owner can attest to as realistic.
Cats. Mark Senior
Another standout feature of the production is Jessica Hung Han Yun's lighting. It's no mean feat to light an outdoor venue, especially when the production takes place across the sunset, but Hung Han Yun does this with seeming ease.
Her skill is especially apparent during Macavity: The Mystery Cat, as other cats stand in full illumination, while Macavity's menacing silhouette lurks in the shadows and darts across the stage, never fully revealed.
While a polished and updated take on a divisive musical, Cats at Regent's Park is ultimately restricted by its source material. So, if you're a fan of the original production of Cats, you're sure to have a good night at the theatre. And if you're not? You'll appreciate a production with skilful choreography, excellent lighting and tight orchestration.
As we've seen recently, being brave enough to step further away from Lloyd Webber's source material is how you take revivals of his work to the next level in today's theatre landscape.
Perhaps what this production needs is a little more courage in order to reach the Heaviside Layer.
For more of our thoughts on the latest London theatre, take a look at our Trainspotting the musical review and Midnight at the Never Get review.
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When and where can I see Cats?
Cats is currently playing at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from now until 19 September.
How to get Cats tickets
Tickets are available at TodayTix and London Theatre Direct. Most August dates are already sold out, but there's still good availability for dates in September.
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Authors
Joanna Magill
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