A brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed musical CATS has officially opened at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with performances running through 19 September 2026. Directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar), the fresh staging is positioned as one of the central theatrical events of the outdoor venue's summer season.
Featuring a legendary score that includes classic numbers such as "Old Deuteronomy," "Macavity: The Mystery Cat," "The Jellicle Ball," and the chart-topping hit "Memory," the revived production offers a distinct outdoor setting for the beloved show. The narrative follows the strays and rebels of London as they gather under the Jellicle moon in hopes of being selected for a new life.
The production stars a wide-ranging ensemble cast led by Rachael Wooding as Grizabella, Melanie La Barrie as Old Deuteronomy, Gary Wilmot as Gus, and Jaydon Vijn as Rum Tum Tugger. The principal line-up further includes Millie O'Connell (Demeter), Katie Dunsden (Bombalurina), Jack Wilcox (Munkustrap), Jet Yau (Mr. Mistoffelees / Quaxo), Dianté Lodge (Macavity), Danny Nattrass (Mungojerrie), and Briana Craig (Rumpleteazer).
The company is completed by Fin Adams, Carla Bertran, Elliot Broadfoot, Grace Burrows, Matthew Caputo, Josie Chambers-Sims, Joshua-Samuel Freeman, Regan Garcia, Aaron Jenkins, Hannah Joseph, Taziva-Faye Katsande, Owen McHugh, Andrew Parfitt, Charlotte Riby, Nathan Rigg, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Taela Yeomans-Brown, and Patricia Zhou.
On the creative team, McOnie is joined by set, costume, and wigs designer Sami Fendall, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Adam Fisher, and musical supervisor Alex Parker. Geraint Owen serves as musical director, with fight direction by Kev McCurdy, intimacy direction by Ingrid Mackinnon, and makeup design by Guy Common.
The open-air staging marks a major revival for the long-running musical, bringing a fresh physical scale and contemporary directorial approach to the classic London-set story.
Photo credit: Mark Senior
