After watching Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical, Cats, at the Hull New Theatre on Wednesday night, it finally became clear why our cat, Bill, stayed out just the one night of the year, usually in October, for 18 years without fail. He was at the Jellicle Ball – the focal point of this production.
The concept for Cats came from renowned poet T.S.Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a book of playful poems enjoyed by Lloyd Webber as a child. As an adult, he set some of the poems to music and the rest, as they say, is history.
As the curtain rose, we theatregoers in the jam-packed venue were treated to the sight of dancers in the most glorious cat costumes. Against the background of a huge full moon encased in a crusted, glittery crescent, they creep out of the shadows, excited to be part of the Jellicle Cat reunion.
Their dancing, on a darkened, misty stage that rarely changed, is both seductive and mesmerising.
But this is no ordinary night. Jellicle leader, Old Deuteronomy (Kalisha Amaris) has to make the Jellicle Choice and decide which cat will be reborn into a new Jellicle life.
All the strays from all areas of London are eager to know who will be the chosen one.
All thoughts of being chosen, however, take a back seat when humans are spotted, appearing to be uncertain as to what a Jellicle Cat is.
in The Naming of the Cats the humans discover that cats have three different names – the one the family uses daily (my sister’s cat answers to Eric Cantana), a more dignified name and a secret one.
In the running for Old Deuteronomy’s Jellicle Choice are young white cat Victoria (Patricia Zhou), large grey tabby Munkustrap (Jack Wilcox), and Jennyanydots, the Old Gumbie Cat (Laura Tyrer), who sleeps all day long. Then we have playful prankster Rum Tum Tugger (Jaydon Vijn), Bustopher Jones (my favourite puss, played by Elliot Broadfoot), a glutton never without his white spats and, finally, glamour puss Grizabella (Rachael Wooding), having left the tribe, but now wanting to return.
Apart from Grizabella, the cats are thoroughly enjoying the Jellicle Ball. Their dancing is amazing and non-stop. Choreographer, Drew McOnie has really brought out the slinky, supple, stretchy moves of a cat. Aiding and abetting their movements is the most glorious music from a live orchestra front of stage, conducted by Geraint Owen.
Perhaps the most famous song from Cats, Memory, comes at the end of Act I when Grizabella contemplates her life before she left the tribe. Singing it in full in the second act, Wooding, as the glamour puss, brings the house down with her unbelievable performance.
All the above frivolity, however, is often interrupted by a thunderous crash and flashing lights, signalling that the murderous Macavity (Dianté Lodge) is on the loose.
During one such explosion, the cats scatter, leaving fun-loving frolickers Mungojerrie (Danny Nattrass) and Rumpleteazer (Briana Craig) to lighten the mood with their antics.
After the interval we witness a more peaceful scene as the cats rest and contemplate The Moments of Happiness.
Gus, the Theatre Cat (a dual role for Elliot Broadfoot), dressed in a voluminous coat of rags, amuses us with his tales of his stage career.
Three more cats attend the ball – Skimbleshanks (Matthew Caputo), The Railway Cat, appears on a train whose wheels light up with each turn. Dressed in a magnificent red uniform, his job is to ensure the train is in tip-top condition.
More crashes, bangs and fireworks signal the presence of Macavity who kidnaps Old Deuteronomy.
Demeter (Millie O’Connell) and Bombalurina (Katie Dunsden) sing Macavity: The Mystery Cat, telling all they know about the puss dubbed “the Napoleon of Crime”.
A glorious cat fight ensues leaving one of the above seriously wounded. I’m not letting the cat out of the bag as to who suffers.
And does Old Deuteronomy survive her kidnap ordeal?
Cats, the musical, is a blast of energy, but that energy pales somewhat with the arrival of The Conjuring Cat, Mr Mistoffelees (a truly breathtaking performance from Jet Yau).
In his silver lamé top and black sequinned baggy trousers, he performs stunts, mainly on his head, that have to be seen to be believed.
There isn’t a dull moment in this production. It is frenzied, yet quite easy to follow. Some cats, other than Yau, display breathtaking acrobatics that all add to the excitement. And the continuous music is always a treat for our ears.
All singing voices are excellent; the deeper tones of Amaris’ Old Deuteronomy contrast perfectly with Wooding’s natural vibrato that heightens the emotional weight during her aforementioned unforgettable rendition of Memory.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats is a full-on account of that one special night a year when our feline friends meet to sing, dance and party until the wee small hours.
Fact or fiction? All I know is our cat, Bill, always returned home from his annual AWOL absolutely shattered, but very happy, as were we in the audience on Wednesday night.
A standing ovation was never in any doubt.
Cats runs until Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Hull New Theatre with tickets available at www.hulltheatres.co.uk or (01482) 300306
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 21st October 2026
North West End UK Rating:
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