London 2014



The 2014 West End production of Cats is an ongoing, limited run at the London Palladium Theatre. Despite having made no official announcement, numerous members of the cast have stated that the run will continue to April 2015, with a two week break in March.

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 the production.

This production has been heavily marketed, with star billing given to performing artist Nicole 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. It has been announced that Kerry Ellis would take over the role from the 9th of February - 25th April, 2015.

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 and an 8 week extension, thus proving there is still a strong market for Cats 33 years after the original production.

Revised Material
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 The Gumbie Cat's dance break has been replaced by a longer and more technical tap number, as well as new music.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 and Carbucketty are both ensemble, however the kitten onstage resembles chorus cat George. As an easter egg for fans, the swings appear in the press photos dressed as characters who do not appear in this production - including Babygriz, Electra, and Pouncival.

The most obvious costume alterations have been made by the Rum Tum Tugger and Grizabella. Grizabella's costume has been subtly altered to resemble something Nicole Scherzinger would wear in her solo career - a corset and lace-up stockings worn under a fur coat which has been made lighter and more stream-lined. Rum Tum Tugger now wears a backwards ball cap, his hair in dreds, a vest top and harem pants with lots of gold necklaces. Growltiger and his Raffish crew have also had new costumes, now in shades of dark charcoal. There have also been tweaks to the designs across the ensemble, with less blocky, primary colours having been used. This is most apparent in Bombalurina and Jemima's costumes.

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

Makeup Designers: Karen Dawson & John Napier

Lightning Designer: Howard Eaton

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 pick-up of the show, the Van Parnell bar at the Palladium has been transformed in order to entertain the guests, pre-show. Many show-related activities have been set up, such as:
 * Poetry Readings of TS Elliot's Pieces
 * Cat-Inspired free Face Painting
 * Original Costume/Design Gallery
 * Children's Puzzles, Prizes, Photos
 * Cat Cream Bar (drinks and ice cream)

The room opens two hours prior to the show, 12:30 for matinees and 5:30 for evenings. This has been used as a promotion tool to market the run. The gallery includes designs for every character, many press cuttings, various speciality costumes on display and things of interest to fans.

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