Japan 1983

Cats has played near continuously in Japan since 1983, moving location nearly every year. The production is hugely popular within Japanese culture.

Production Specifics
The Japanese production was one of the first productions worldwide, and based off the Original London Production. It has developed over the intervening years without much influence from the western productions, leading to a strongly Japanese influenced production that still maintains a replica status.

One unique element of the Japanese production is the ensemble characters. There is no Alonzo, however his role is covered by two tall ensemble boys, Gilbert and Rumpus Cat. Gilbert's design is an elegant interpetation of the Broadway Golden Alonzo, and while Rumpus Cat has had various designs, in recent years he has resembled the Black and White Alonzo. There is neither Admetus or Plato, but Macavity is an ensemble character. The show includes both Sillabub and Jemima, with Sillabub as the featured singer. The roles of the Twins, usually Coricopat and Tantomile, are here Cassandra and Tumblebrutus, with Tantomile wearing the smooth brown costume design. Cassandra and Tumblebrutus are featured pairs dancers, but not always identical in costume.

According the the Japanese production website, Jemima is featured as one of the Gumbie Trio (with Jellylorum and Cassandra) and sings the "Moonlight" refrain; Coricopat and Victoria dance the Invitation to the Jellicle Ball; Cassandra and Tumblebrutus dance a solo during "Moments of Happiness"; Sillabub is the youngest kitten and sings "Memory" with Grizabella.

Venues

 * Tokyo - 11/1983 - 11/1984
 * Osaka - 03/1985 - 04/1986
 * Tokyo - 10/1986 - 05/1987
 * Nagoya - 11/1988 - 11/1989
 * Fukuoka - 04/1990 - 11/1990
 * Sapporo - 05/1991 - 04/1992
 * Osaka - 07/1992 - 09/1993
 * Tokyo - 01/1995 - 12/1996
 * Sapporo - 04/1997 - 03/1998
 * Fukuoka - 07/1998 - 05/1999
 * Nagoya - 07/1999 - 2000
 * Osaka - 2001 - 01/03
 * Shizuoka - 04/2003 - 07/2003
 * Hiroshima - 08/2003 - 11/2003
 * Sendai - 12/2003 - 05/2004
 * Tokyo - 11/2004 - 05/2009
 * Yokohama - 11/2009 - 11/2012
 * Hiroshima - 12/2012 - 03/2013
 * Sendai - 04/2013 - 08/2013
 * Shizuoka - 09/2013
 * Fukuoka - 05/2014 - 10/2014
 * Sapporo - 01/2015 - 01/2016

Costume Designs
The Japanese production has a distinctive look influenced by Japanese culture, and has developed separate from other productions worldwide. This has led to unique characters and designs that can be hard to relate to the more familiar western names and designs.