Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has unveiled the full cast for its highly anticipated new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s CATS, adding fresh star power to one of musical theatre’s most enduring titles. Staged in the unique al fresco setting of the Regent’s Park amphitheatre, this revival promises to reimagine the beloved classic for a new generation of theatregoers, blending the show’s iconic score and choreography with a bold, contemporary staging. With the complete company now confirmed, anticipation is building ahead of one of London’s standout musical events of the summer.
Casting breakdown and character highlights for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of CATS
Director Drew McOnie leads a company that blends musical theatre heavyweights with breakout talent,reshaping the Jellicle tribe for the park’s natural amphitheatre. Frances Mayli McCann is set to deliver a hauntingly intimate Grizabella, while Mark Antolin brings wiry charm and danger to Macavity.Comic energy is in safe paws with Jarryd Tettey as an acrobatic Mungojerrie and Melissa Rose as a sharp-witted Rumpelteazer, their duet reimagined with streetwise swagger. The paternal core of the piece rests on David Birrell as Old Deuteronomy, his presence anchoring the wilder choreography and underscoring the show’s hymn-like choral passages.
- Grizabella – Frances Mayli McCann: a fragile yet defiant outcast, steering “Memory” toward raw, confessional storytelling.
- Old Deuteronomy – David Birrell: a gentle patriarch whose stillness contrasts with McOnie’s kinetic staging.
- Macavity – Mark Antolin: a shadowy ringmaster figure,threaded into more scenes to heighten narrative tension.
- Mungojerrie & Rumpelteazer – Jarryd Tettey & Melissa Rose: parkour-inspired mischief that exploits the open-air playground.
- Rum Tum Tugger – Jordan Luke Gage: a guitar-slinging rock icon, blurring the line between concert and musical theatre.
| Character | Performer | Vibe |
| Grizabella | Frances Mayli McCann | Raw, cinematic |
| Old Deuteronomy | David Birrell | Calm, ceremonial |
| Rum Tum Tugger | Jordan Luke Gage | Electric, rock-star |
| Macavity | Mark Antolin | Noir, magnetic |
Creative team vision and how the open air setting reshapes the CATS experience
The creative team leans into the park’s natural topography, treating Regent’s Park as an extension of the junkyard playground rather than a backdrop to be disguised. Director and designers have conceived a world where felines emerge from shadows of trees, scramble over sculpted mounds that echo the park’s contours, and vanish into pockets of foliage, blurring the line between stage and landscape. Lighting is calibrated to chase the twilight, with warm hues giving way to moonlit blues as the sun sinks, allowing the Jellicle Ball to unfold against an ever-changing sky. Sound design is similarly porous, weaving Lloyd Webber’s score around the rustle of leaves, distant city hum, and the occasional birdsong, so that the musical seems to breathe with its surroundings.
This environmental approach reshapes audience perception, turning familiar numbers into site-specific encounters rather than set pieces. Choreography is mapped to long sightlines, using sweeping formations, elevated platforms, and organic pathways through the auditorium so that each spectator experiences a slightly different CATS. Costumes and make-up incorporate textured, weather-responsive materials that catch real wind and real light, creating a sense of fleeting, nocturnal magic. To sharpen this concept, the team has defined clear design pillars:
- Immersion: Feline movement spilling into aisles and woodland approaches.
- Elemental design: Rain,breeze,and twilight treated as dramaturgical tools.
- Acoustic openness: Orchestration balanced with ambient park soundscapes.
- Dynamic lighting: Cues that evolve with the natural dusk-to-night cycle.
| Creative Focus | Open Air Twist |
|---|---|
| Set Design | Junkyard elements fused with trees, grass and pathways |
| Choreography | 360° staging, cats prowling through the audience |
| Lighting | Sunset into moonlight as a built-in time-lapse effect |
| Sound | Score layered with live park ambience |
Key performances to watch and emerging talents in the new London cast
The Regent’s Park revival assembles a line-up that blends West End favourites with bold new faces, promising a fresh charge of electricity under the night sky. Expect scene-stealing flair from veteran triple-threats in roles such as Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy,whose powerhouse vocals and textured character work are set to anchor the production’s emotional core. Around them, a clutch of razor-sharp character actors take on comic and narrative-driving parts like Rum Tum Tugger and Skimbleshanks, with choreography tailored to the theatre’s open-air stage, using every inch of the space to transform the auditorium into a living Jellicle junkyard.
- Breakout vocalists delivering unexpectedly intimate renditions of the score’s most famous numbers.
- Standout movers in the ensemble who bring balletic precision and street-inflected agility to Gillian Lynne-inspired choreography.
- Charismatic scene-stealers reimagining familiar cats with sharper humour and contemporary swagger.
- New graduates from top UK drama schools making high-profile professional debuts.
| Role | What to Look For | Talent Spotlight |
|---|---|---|
| Grizabella | Emotional nuance in “Memory” and subtle physical storytelling. | Emerging leading lady with a rich, cinematic belt. |
| Rum Tum Tugger | Rock-infused vocals and playful audience interaction. | Charmer with natural comic timing and pop-star edge. |
| Victoria | Lyrical ballet work and expressive, wordless acting. | Classically trained dancer stepping into principal territory. |
| Munkustrap | Commanding narration and strong ensemble leadership. | Rising baritone shifting from ensemble to leading roles. |
How to get tickets when to go and practical tips for seeing CATS at Regent’s Park
Booking for this revival is already fierce, so securing a seat among the trees takes a little strategy. Start by checking the theatre’s official website for the latest allocation and any newly released seats; Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre often releases additional tickets closer to performance dates, including returns. Sign up for venue newsletters, as pre-sale windows and flash offers are frequently announced to subscribers first. For those watching the budget, keep an eye on restricted-view or side seats, which often come at a lower price but still offer strong sightlines in this intimate amphitheatre. When purchasing, factor in potential weather changes: although performances continue in light rain, the theatre will guide you on exchanges only in the event of a full cancellation.
- Pack smart: bring a light blanket or shawl, a waterproof layer and a small cushion for extra comfort.
- Arrive early: pre-show picnics in the park are part of the tradition, and bar queues grow quickly on warm evenings.
- Travel by public transport: Baker Street and Regent’s Park stations offer straightforward routes, avoiding limited local parking.
- Plan for dusk: as daylight fades, the lighting design becomes integral to the atmosphere, so evening performances are particularly evocative.
| Best For | Recommended Time | Swift Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Matinees | Bring snacks and a light jacket |
| Theatre fans | Weeknight evenings | Check for midweek availability drops |
| Casual visitors | Early in the run | Book flexible dates to dodge bad weather |
To Wrap It Up
As Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre readies its stage for a new take on CATS, the announcement of the full company signals a production intent on honouring the musical’s legacy while refreshing it for contemporary audiences. With a complete creative and performing team now in place, anticipation will turn quickly to how this open-air revival reimagines one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most recognisable titles in the unique surroundings of a London summer.
Performances of CATS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre are scheduled to begin later this year, with tickets now on sale through the venue’s box office and official website.
