The memory lives again as Cats plays another of its nine lives for the Melbourne leg of this 40th Anniversary Australian tour. 

Too easily dismissed, and not helped by the largely lamentable 2019 movie, Cats may simply be a musical about Cats (!!) but as a dance musical there is really nothing else like it. The best way to enjoy Cats is simply to give over to its surreal conceit and marvel at the song and dance spectacle as it unfolds. 

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s use of T. S. Eliot’s poems is inspired; the stories of individual cats are delightful and the lyrics feature delectably satisfying rhymes. 

With the reopening of the State Theatre still many months away, Cats takes up residence in Hamer Hall, where its wide open stage is a surprisingly good fit. While Broadway is about to host the new high concept “Ballroom” version of Cats, this 40th anniversary season is, of course, aligned with the original production, with the cats cavorting in an oversized garbage dump. John Napier’s time-honoured original design remains impactful, especially as decorated by festoons of coloured globes as part of Howard Eaton’s enchanting lighting design. 

The 2015 Australian tour followed the lead of the 2014 West End revival, with Rum Tum Tugger something of a streetwise rapper. While the current season returns to a more traditional approach, it uses the 2016 changes, which see “The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles” moved to act two, completely replacing “Growltiger’s Last Stand” and “The Ballad of Billy M’Caw” /  “Una Tepid Notte.” This is a disappointing edit, losing a pair of great songs and a spectacular staging sequence. Gus the theatre cat now reminisces about playing the Rumpus Cat, who is not a patch on Growltiger, and the Jellylorum actress loses the featured romantic role of Griddlebone. 

Long term musical director Paul White returns to conduct a very tight band of eight musicians, readily recreating the familiar synthesiser-heavy orchestrations along with ornamental colour from reeds and rhythm from guitars and percussion.

As with the 2010 and 2015 Australian tours, Cats benefits mightily from the extensive training that theatre artists now undertake. The combination of the supremely high standard of dance with the pristine quality of vocals should not be taken for granted in enjoying the uniformly superb performances. 

Gillian Lynne’s original choreography is seen at its best under the guidance of associate director and choreographer Chrissie Cartwright. Bill Deamer’s tap choreography for the beetle tattoo in “The Old Gumbie Cat” showcases yet another aspect of the performers’ talents. White’s exacting work with vocals results in crisp diction and engaging dynamics, all sounding fresh and clear thanks to the clarion sound design of Greg Pink. 

The 40th Anniversary of Cats has attracted a particularly strong cast, who are working as a wonderfully sharp, cohesive whole at this point of the tour. 

US-born actress Gabriyel Thomas makes for for a splendidly affecting Grizabella, her wide expressive face conveying pure poignancy and her richly powerful voice conveying searing emotion as she soars through “Memory,” tempered for age with just the right amount of vibrato. 

Todd McKenney returns to the musical that started his stage career, now the elder statesman playing a delightfully camp Bustopher Jones and a movingly fragile Gus. Mark Vincent imbues Old Deuteronomy with gloriously sonorous vocal splendour and gently noble presence. 

Leigh Archer is another accomplished returnee, bringing adorable warmth to Jennyanydots, the loveable Gumbie Cat. Lucy Maunder is luxury casting as a vivacious and beautifully sung Jellylorum. 

Jarrod Draper brings straight-backed authority and compelling vocals to unofficial leader Munkustrap. Des Flanagan has the kittens purring as he struts and shimmies about the stage as Rum Tum Tugger. 

Jake O’Brien and Savannah Lind dazzle with their effortlessly nimble acrobatics as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Tim Haskayne stops the show with his extraordinary dance flair as magical Mr Mistoffelees. Tom Davis perfectly captures the fastidious manners and precise dance style of Skimbleshanks. 

Cats is the ideal summer holiday guilty pleasure.

Cats plays at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne until 31 January 2026. For tickets, click here.

Cats plays at Lyric Theatre, QPAC Melbourne from 6 February 2026. For tickets, click here.

Correction: the first edition of this review noted that there were seven musicians in the band with one keyboard missing. This is an error in the program – there are eight musicians in the band with three keyboard players.

Photos: Daniel Boud