CATS is a pretty strange musical. There’s no conventional storyline, no real central hero, and so many cats singing and dancing around a giant junkyard. It’s the sort of show that can leave first-timers wondering what they’ve just watched, while longtime fans wouldn’t have it any other way. And yet, there’s something rather irresistible about it. This latest touring production at Sands Theatre embraces all the wonderfully weird bits and turns them into a lively, colourful spectacle that’s hard to look away from.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems and brought to life with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS follows a group of Jellicle Cats gathering for their annual ball. One by one, they introduce themselves through songs and performances, each hoping to be chosen for a new life. That’s pretty much the premise, so don’t go in expecting a tightly plotted musical with lots of twists and turns. Think of it more as a big, feline variety show, where the fun comes from meeting the different personalities and seeing what the cast can do.
And there’s certainly plenty to look at. The stage is transformed into a gigantic junkyard, filled with oversized everyday objects like old tennis rackets, pipes and discarded magazines. A massive moon hangs overhead, partly covered by what looks like torn clouds, giving the whole place a slightly mystical feel. The opening is especially fun, with glowing cat eyes appearing around the set before performers start darting through the theatre in glowing green goggles. It’s a little unexpected, a little spooky and a great way to pull everyone into the world of the show.
The costumes are another big part of the fun. The performers wear fitted cat-inspired bodysuits, complete with tails, fur-like details and accessories that give each look its own personality. Some cats are dressed up, while others look like they’ve been rummaging through the junkyard for days. Grizabella’s worn and ragged appearance is particularly effective, making her look like a cat who has definitely seen better days. The makeup and hairstyles help complete the transformation, and before long, it’s surprisingly easy to forget that the cast are all human performers.
What really makes CATS work, though, is the movement. The cast doesn’t just dance while pretending to be cats; they really get into the physicality of it. There’s plenty of crawling, stretching, rolling, jumping and all sorts of little feline mannerisms that make the characters feel alive. The choreography is incredibly demanding, with the ensemble moving in sync through some seriously impressive sequences. There are flips, spins and acrobatic moments throughout, but everything feels playful rather than overly showy. Even when one performer takes centre stage, the rest of the cast are often busy doing something interesting in the background.
The first act takes a little while to build up, as the show introduces its many feline personalities, but things really pick up in the second act. The performances become bigger, the energy ramps up, and some of the most exciting dance sequences arrive just when the audience is ready for them. The lighting also does a great job of keeping things visually interesting, moving between eerie shadows, colourful washes and dramatic spotlights to suit the mood of each number. The junkyard might be a rather unlikely setting, but it never feels dull.
If there’s one performer who knows how to command a stage, it’s Dylan Janse van Rensburg as Rum Tum Tugger. This feline rock star is all swagger, charm and cheekiness, and Janse van Rensburg clearly has a ball with the role. He’s flamboyant, playful and just a little bit outrageous, with a confident strut and enough attitude to fill the entire theatre. Whether he’s showing off, playing to the audience or throwing himself into the number, he has a natural magnetism that makes it difficult to look anywhere else. He’s easily one of the show’s biggest crowd-pleasers.
On the other end of the emotional spectrum is Cindy-Ann Abrahams as Grizabella. As the outsider of the group, she’s a cat who has been cast aside and is hoping for another chance to belong. Abrahams gives the character a real sense of sadness and longing, but there’s also a little anger beneath the surface, as though Grizabella hasn’t quite forgotten how cruelly she’s been treated. Naturally, her performance of ‘Memory’ is a major highlight. It’s a familiar song, but she gives it plenty of feeling, making it the emotional centre of the show and a welcome reminder that beneath all the glitter, fur and feline antics, there’s a rather touching story about wanting to be accepted.
The second act also delivers one of the production’s biggest spectacles with the Mr Mistoffelees number. It’s an all-out burst of energy, with Mukeni Nel showing off some seriously impressive turns, spins and jumps. The rest of the ensemble joins in, creating a wonderfully chaotic scene where there’s something happening in practically every corner of the stage. It’s fast, fun and beautifully coordinated, and a great showcase of just how talented and physically capable this cast is.
And then there’s the finale, which is every bit as wonderfully bonkers as the rest of the show. The chosen cat gets whisked away on a giant rising tyre, and it’s one of those theatrical moments that is so unexpected that all one can really do is sit back and enjoy it. It’s ridiculous, yes, but somehow also rather magical.
There’s no denying that CATS is a product of its time. Its format is unusual, its story is unconventional, and it may not be everyone’s idea of a good musical, even feeling dated for modern palates. But that’s also what makes it so distinctive. This is a show that knows exactly what it is and makes absolutely no apologies for it. The production leans into the oddness, with a cast that commits fully to the physical performances and a creative team that keeps the whole thing moving.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who has only ever heard ‘Memory’, this is a fun opportunity to experience one of musical theatre’s most recognisable oddities. It may take a little while to get used to the Jellicle world, but once you’re in, there’s plenty to enjoy. Come for the iconic songs, stay for the dancing cats, and leave wondering why you weren’t expecting quite so much from a musical about a bunch of felines.
Photo Credit: Hanan Assor
CATS The Musical runs from 29th October to 22nd November 2026 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. Tickets are available through Marina Bay Sands, SISTIC and Klook
