Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live has today announced the first tantalising glimpse into the cast of the 40th Anniversary Australian tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical, CATS. Set to grace the stage of its original Australian home, Theatre Royal Sydney, from June 17th, before heading to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide in September and Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne in December, this milestone tour promises to be a must-see for dance and theatre lovers alike.
Leading the charge is the ever-popular Todd McKenney, who will take on the delightful dual roles of the gourmand Bustopher Jones and the seasoned Gus the Theatre Cat. A familiar face to Australian audiences, most recently seen in Wicked and The Odd Couple, McKenney has a special connection to CATS, having played Tumblebrutus in the original Melbourne season back in 1987-88. His return to this iconic show nearly four decades later is sure to ignite nostalgic excitement amongst long-time fans.
Joining McKenney is the acclaimed classical performer Mark Vincent, stepping back into the musical theatre realm as the wise and beloved patriarch of the Jellicle tribe, Old Deuteronomy. A celebrated classical crossover artist with an impressive career spanning ten albums and numerous international tours, Vincent is no stranger to the stage, having previously appeared in the Australian tour of Dirty Dancing and Dame Julie Andrews’ production of My Fair Lady. His powerful vocals are sure to bring gravitas to the role of the Jellicle leader.
Completing this initial casting announcement is the return of Leigh Archer, who will embody the kind and motherly Jennyanydots, affectionately known as the “Gumbie Cat”. Archer is also a CATS alumni, having played Demeter in the 1992/93 Australian and Asian tour. Since then, she has graced the stage in productions such as Strictly Ballroom, West Side Story, and Moonshadow, bringing a wealth of experience to this beloved character.
Producer John Frost expressed his enthusiasm for the casting, stating, “I am very excited to bring the original production of CATS back to Australia, and to cast the ultimate showman Todd McKenney as Gus the Theatre Cat, Mark Vincent with his breathtaking voice as Old Deuteronomy, and welcome Leigh Archer back to one of her earliest shows. CATS was revolutionary when it first opened and to entice some of its past Australian cast members back for the 40th Anniversary is a huge thrill. Australia has an enduring love for CATS and it’s time to let the memory live again.”
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable score, including the timeless hit “Memory”, CATS has captivated audiences worldwide since its premiere in 1981. With its breathtaking choreography and spectacular sets, the musical tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe and their annual Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy makes the pivotal “Jellicle choice”.
Having been seen by over 81 million people across more than 50 countries and translated into 23 languages, CATS remains a global phenomenon. This 40th Anniversary Australian tour promises to reignite the magic for a new generation and those who fell in love with the show decades ago.
Tickets are on sale now. Let the memory live again!