Cats Returns to Sunderland

Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals presents the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, across a major UK tour and is today delighted to confirm full dates for the forthcoming tour. The brand-new production of the multi-award-winning musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot will visit Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 January 2027.

The tour is directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director, Drew McOnie and follows a summer season at the venue from 25 July – 12 September.

CATS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director. It marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last 10 years following the Olivier-Award winning revival of Jesus Christ Superstar (directed by Tim Sheader and choreographed by Drew McOnie) in 2016, 2017 and 2020, and Evita (directed by Jamie Lloyd) in 2019.

Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals’ productions include the acclaimed, hit production of Evita at The London Palladium, the Olivier-Award and Tony-Award winning revival of SUNSET BLVD., Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and this year’s summer production at The London Palladium, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Sam Ryder. 

‘A new day has begun.’

From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. And each of them asks, because each of them dares, who will it be?

Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with a legendary score which inspired generations featuring Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar), is a magical musical like no other.

CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The ground-breaking production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards, including Best Musical. It ran for 18 years.

Since its world premiere, CATS has been presented in over 54 countries, has been translated into 23 languages and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide. The Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. In 2026, CATS will also embark on 2 major international tours, and CATS: The Jellicle Ball will make its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theater.

Drew McOnie said: “As for many dancers in the industry, CATS was a transformative experience for me, and as a former cast member, it's thrilling to be directing and choreographing this brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical. I can't wait to share this much-loved piece with a new generation of audiences both in the stunning outdoor setting of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and in theatres across the UK. With the production heading out on tour, we are delighted that it will reach audiences across the country after its London run, continuing our commitment to working with partners – in this case the brilliant Michael Harrison – to ensure our work is seen by as many as possible beyond our home in Regent’s Park.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs. I can think of no one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”

Michael Harrison said: “I am delighted that we will be presenting a brand-new production of CATS this summer. Drew is an outstanding artist, and it has long felt destined that he would one day reinvent this great musical. Andrew and I are excited to be working with him and his team at Regent's Park, and we look forward to the Jellicle Moon shining brightly on this thrilling new production in the splendour of the Open Air Theatre and major theatres across the country as part of the new UK tour.”

Joining McOnie on the creative team are Sami Fendall (Set, Costume and Wigs Designer); Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Designer); Adam Fisher (Sound Designer); Guy Common (Makeup Designer); Will Burton (Casting Director) and Alex Parker (Musical Supervisor).

Full casting for the UK tour to be announced.

General tickets for CATS are on sale online at 10am on Thursday 19 March at ATGTickets.com/ Sunderland *

* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.