Final tickets have now been released for the Sydney season of CATS, which marks the beginning of the musical’s 40th Anniversary Australian tour. The production returns to its original home at the Theatre Royal Sydney, with performances running from next week – 17 June to 6 September 2025. Following its Sydney run, the tour will travel to Adelaide (Her Majesty’s Theatre from 20 September), Perth (Crown Theatre from 8 November), and Melbourne (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne from 21 December).
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical features a new Australian cast, with Gabriyel Thomas taking on the role of Grizabella, the outcast glamour cat made famous by the show’s signature ballad Memory. Todd McKenney plays Bustopher Jones and Asparagus the Theatre Cat, while Mark Vincent returns to musical theatre as Old Deuteronomy, the wise elder of the Jellicle tribe.
Lucy Maunder, who recently played Roxie Hart in the national tour of Chicago, portrays Jellylorum. Des Flanagan steps into the role of the charismatic Rum Tum Tugger, and Jarrod Draper, a graduate of WAAPA, has been cast as Munkustrap. Leigh Archer returns to CATS in the role of Jennyanydots, the motherly “Gumbie Cat”.
Producer John Frost commented on the production’s return to Australian stages and the legacy of the musical:
We have assembled a purr-fect cast for this 40th Anniversary Australian tour of CATS, and rehearsals have been fantastic. It’s wonderful to see this talented mix of seasoned artists and new performers to the industry creating their feline characters, and to partner with the vital charity the Australian Children’s Music Foundation.
CATS was revolutionary when it first opened and to celebrate the production in the theatre where it first played is a real thrill. Australia has an enduring love for CATS and it’s time to let the memory live again. Get your tickets today before they sell out.
Ticketing information for the Sydney season and all subsequent states can be found via the CATS the Musical Australian website.
