Cats purrs its way back to Chinese stages

Since its premiere in London in 1981, Cats has toured over 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages. In 2003, the musical debuted in China with 54 shows staged in Shanghai. From 2018 to 2019, Cats toured China for about six months, attracting many fans.

Webber's score, including beloved songs like Memory, has become ingrained in the fabric of musical theater history, captivating generations with its emotional depth and feline charm.

The return of Cats to China holds special significance, reflecting the country's growing appreciation for Western musical theater and its rich cultural exchanges with the global stage.

From Nov 9 to 24, the musical will be staged at the newly launched Beijing Performing Arts Centre, one of the venues under the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Cats follows a pack of cats known as the Jellicles who meet up for the annual Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader who must choose one of the cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new Jellicle life.