Cats (musical)

CATS The Musical is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber (or ALW) in 1981 based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. It tells of a particular feline tribe, the Jellicles, who are not as ordinary as they seem to be, with each possessing his/her own special powers and talents.

Cats was first shown in London's West End, at New London Theatre, on May 11, 1981. It was originally produced onstage by Cameron Mackintosh and ALW's The Really Useful Theatre Company. The show then made its debut in Broadway on September 7, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

It was on the stage in the New London Theatre for exactly 21 years and 8,949 performances, from 11 May 1981 to 11 May 2002, the longest running musical in British musical history.

It is also the longest running musical in Broadway history. Since its opening, Cats has been presented in 26 countries and over three hundred cities. Its hit song "Memory" has been recorded by over 150 artists.

In 1998, ALW produced the movie version of Cats, the first of its kind, an actual stage performance captured on film, starring Elaine Paige, Ken Page, Sir John Mills and John Partridge, among other talented dancers and singers. It was directed for film by David Mallet in London's Adelphi Theatre.

Its popularity comes despite never being critically acclaimed. Many argue it has a mainstream, family appeal that many other more "prestigious" musicals are lacking. It is and has been one of the most loved musicals of all time, being translated into over 20 languages. It is still playing in a tour across