My question goes to @Belle pullman for covering the 2026 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of the musical Cats for 'Cats' Musical Wiki.
What's the goal for Drew McOnie as director for the 2026 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Cats? To return the musical to its original production score before the 2003 UK/European Tour (but leaving the short "Macavity" preview based on the Broadway revival score after the original version of "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" is performed during Act 1)—by not only mixing the styles of both the 1981 London production (direction, choreography, set, costumes, makeup, wigs, lighting, sound, etc.) and the 1982 Broadway production (libretto), but also once again using John Napier's older costume designs with Karen Dawson's makeup designs and Jenny Dean's wig designs? Just like when the rock band KISS returned to their full makeup and stage costumes in the year 1996 (a year when they triumphantly started their reunion tour, the zenith of their career)? The bottom line is, should that be something straight out of a 1998 direct-to-video musical film adaptation of that musical? Because I know the Danish production of Cats mixed the styles of both the 1981 London production and the 1982 Broadway production before in Copenhagen. Also, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler did make a promise to return the musical to its original production score after the closing night performance of the Broadway revival of Cats almost eight years back, didn't he?
And another thing, do you think Alfie Boe will star in this production as Old Deuteronomy? Because his powerful operatic tenor may be enough to bring down the house.
What do you think?