London 2014

The 2014 West End production of Cats is an recurring, limited run at the London Palladium Theatre. The run was extended to late April 2015, with a two week break in March as the Palladium was used for filming. During the summer of 2015 the show went "on tour" to an 8 week run in Blackpool, north England, and returned to the Palladium Autumn/Winter 2015.

Production Specifics
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 was 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. Kerry Ellis took 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.

Production Dates
Following the closure at the Palladium, Cats will commence a full 2016 UK / European Tour.
 * Palladium Theatre, London - 06/12/2014 - 25/04/2015
 * Blackpool Opera House - 09/07/2015 - 05/09/2015
 * Palladium Theatre, London - 23/10/2015 - 02/01/2016

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 The Gumbie Cat's dance break has been replaced by a longer and more technical tap number, as well as new music.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 named Pouncival 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.



Costume Designs
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

Jellicle Ballroom 2014-15 Season


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 T.S. Eliot'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.

The Jellicle Ballroom was not reprised for the 2015 season, apart from the free face painting and early hours bar.

Jellicle Ballroom Gallery

Gallery
London 2014

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