REVIEW: CATS @ THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

🎭 Cats

📍  The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2TR

🗓 Tuesday 13th October 2026

⭐️ 4 Stars

A SPECTACULAR, EXHILARATING, AND JOYOUS REVIVAL

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats prowls into town and, as is the way with all cats, takes absolute ownership of the space.

Disdainfully sibilant and not remotely domesticated, the Jellicle Cats gather in Victoria Grove at full moon for the annual Jellicle Ball. The culmination of which will come just before dawn when their revered leader, Old Deuteronomy, will choose the cat who deserves to ascend to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn.

Director Drew McOnie’s stratospheric choreography adds a new layer of blazing acrobatics, ballet and street to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wonderful score. The Cats ensemble displays moggy mannerisms in song and dance that unite the whole, yet each have an individual character that remains throughout. Enhanced by clever costume tweaks, a Jellicle is introduced and their personality allowed to emerge fully from the ensemble, then recombines as we meet the next cat. The entire cast have fabulous voices and somehow manage to sing and dance simultaneously without appearing breathless. When the choreography is unleashed, however, it dazzles with virtuosity. There are nods to early ballet ensemble, vaudeville and jazz alongside contemporary and breakdance. Very happy dance fan here!

Even die-hard Cats fans will admit that the story is a slender thing. Based on T S Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats the poems describe the characteristics of a succession of “Jellicle cats”. Life has been breathed into each by music and dance, but as a “sung through” musical this has confused some audiences. Add to this the idea of grownups dressed in cat costumes and a not great film and you have a somewhat “marmite” show. This extraordinary production, however, marries incredible vocal performances and stunning choreography with sinuous costumes and a versatile, subtly lit set. Within moments the cast hiss and strut into our hearts. We happily watch and listen to the tails (sorry) of various cats from the lively to lazy, cheeky to the sinister, kittens to those at the end of their ninth life. 

It is hard to highlight any performances from such a spectacular cast. Personally, I love the rich voice and warm character of Kalisha Amaris as the dignified leader, Old Deuteronomy, and Jack Wilcox as her second in command Munkustrap who managed herding cats superbly. So good to see the delightful Briana Craig bringing her sparkle back to the Plymouth stage as Rumpleteazer. Katie Dunsden and Millie O’Connell as Bombalurina and Demeter respectively are the epitome of sensuous kittens and wow can they belt out a song! Dianté Lodge lurks brilliantly as the shadowy Macavity and Jet Yau is breathtaking fun as Mr. Mistoffelees.

The highlight of an amazing show was Louise Dearman as Grizabella. Careworn and weary she drifts in and out of the Grove obviously confused at being shunned by the others. Her bedraggled coat and tearstained face are heartrending testimony to a life gone adrift. Then comes the moment she sings The Song. I have heard many versions of “Memory” but never one sung with such controlled poignancy, such nuance, such effortless power. What a voice! I find tears pouring down my face and I am not alone.  

This revival of an idiosyncratic 80s show is a triumphant understanding of “the mystical divinity of unashamed felinity” and runs at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 17^th October before moving on for the rest of the tour. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Rosie Sharman-Ward

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Cats was gifted by Theatre Royal Plymouth, who invited me to watch the show on behalf of Pink Prince Theatre in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST:

Louise Dearman as Grizabella; Kalisha Amaris as Old Deuteronomy; Fin Adams as Alonzo; Katie Dunsden as Bombalurina; Elliot Broadfoot as Bustopher Jones / Gus; Patricia Zhou as Cassandra; Andrew Parfitt as Coricopat; Millie O'Connell as Demeter; Carla Bertran as Electra; Owen McHugh as George; Lucie-Mae Sumner as Jellylorum (Griddlebone); Laura Tyrer as Jennyanydots (Gumbie Cat); Dianté Lodge as Macavity / Admetus; Jet Yau as Mr. Mistoffelees / Quaxo; Danny Nattrass as Mungojerrie; Jack Wilcox as Munkustrap; Regan Garcia as Pouncival / Carbuckety; Jaydon Vijn as Rum Tum Tugger; Briana Craig as Rumpleteazer; Matthew Caputo as Skimbleshanks; Josie Chambers Sims as Syllabub (Jemima); Taziva-Faye Katsande as Tantomile; Joshua-Samuel Freeman as Tumblebrutus (Bill Bailey); Hannah Joseph as Victoria

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 20 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Strobes; Flashing lights; Pyrotechnics; Smoke; Haze; Loud music and noises

AGE GUIDELINE:

5+

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