Cats (1998 Film)

The musical CATS, by Andrew Lloyd Webber as based on the works of T.S. Eliot's Book of Practical Cats, was filmed on released on video in 1998. It was filmed at the Adelphi Theatre in London and is based on the West End version of the show. It starred some of the original cast members from both Broadway and the West End, as well as Sir John Mills (who was in his 90s and very ill at the time) plays the role of "Gus the Theatre Cat". There were three American cast members (Ken Page, Broadway's original "Old Deuteronomy", Michael Gruber as "Munkustrap", and Jacob Brent as "Quaxo/ Mr. Mistoffolees) in the film version, as well as actors from other areas of the world, although the majority of cast members were from England. Elaine Paige, the original West End "Grizabella", returns to play the role once again, singing the now song standard, "Memory". The movie includes all of the song and dance numbers, with the notable exception of "Growltiger's Last Stand" being absent, due to both time constraints and Sir John Mills' inability to perform the singing and dancing required for the role of Growltiger. Currently, a commemorative edition is available on DVD.