London 2014



The 2014 West End production of Cats is an ongoing 12-week run at the London Palladium Theater. The production is a development/extension of the 2013-14 UK Tour, with most of the cast bringing their roles over to West End. Lloyd Webber has also extensively revised he production. The most prominent alteration is the re-branding of the Rum Tum Tugger into an urban street cat,, replacing his solo in the self-titled song with a rap number. Growltiger's Last Stand has been changed to a much darker, soft shoe shuffle number and the lover's duet cut entirely. The Gumbie Cat 's dance break has been replaced by a longer and more technical tap number, as well as new music.

For the first time in a British production of Cats, Pouncival as well as Carbucketty in the ensemble, however the kitten onstage resembles chorus cat George. The ost obvious costume alterations have been made by the Rum Tum Tugger and Grizabella. Unlike Grizabella, Tugger keeps his original chorus identity, worn in the opening number. The costumes worn by swing members resemble those of the cats cut from the show, such as Electra and Victor.

This production has been heavily marketed, with star billing given to performing artistNicole Scherzinger as Grizabella . The show has also been tailored to bring more focus to Grizabella's stage time, with her solos being extended by a minute or so each.

Financially, the production has been a huge success. The demand for tickets has lead to almost a complete sell-out in one of the largest theatres in the West End. Thus proving there is a strong market for Cats 33 years after the original production

Creative Team
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Director: Trevor Nunn

Choreographer & Associate Director: Gillian Lynne

Choreographer of the Tap Dance Scene: Bill Deamer

Associate Director: Chrissie Cartwright

Set & Costume Designer: John Napier

Cast
Alonzo - Adam Lake

Bill Bailey- Adam Salter

Bombalurina - Charlene Ford

Bustopher Jones /Asparagus /Growltiger - Paul F Monaghan

Carbucketty - Joel Morris

Cassandra - Cassie Clare

Coricopat - Benjamin Mundy

Demeter -  Zizi Strallen

Grizabella- Nicole Scherzinger

Grizabella (alternate) - Sophie Ragavelas

Jellylorum/Griddlebone -  Clare Rickard

Jemima - Natasha Mould

Jennyanydots - Laurie Scarth

Macavity/Admetus - Cameron Ball

Mungojerrie - Benjamin Yates

Munkustrap- Callum Train

Old Deuteronomy- Nicholas Pound

Pouncival - Stevie Hutchsinson

Mistoffelees- Joseph Poulton

Rumpleteazer - Dawn Williams

Rum Tum Tugger - Antoine Murray-Straughan

Skimbleshanks - Ross Finnie

Tantomile - Kathryn Barnes

Victoria - Hannah Kenna Thomas

Swings - Ryan Gover, Barry Haywood, Alice Jane, Grace McKee, Dane Quixall and Libby Watts.

Jellicle Ballroom
In celebration of the West End pickup of the show, the Van Parnell bar at the Palladium has been transformed in order to enterain the guests, pre-show. Many show-related activities have been set up, such as:


 * Poetry Readings of TS Elliot's Pieces
 * Cat-Inspired Face Painting
 * Original Costume/Design Viewing
 * Puzzles, Prizes, Photos
 * Cat Cream Bar

The room will open two hours prior to the show, 12:30 for maintees and 5:30 for evenings. This has been used as a promotion tool to market the run.



Press Call
at 6:00 Lloyd Webber outlines his plans to change Growltiger and Rum Tum Tugger.