Hit musical 'Cats' to tour 13 Chinese cities in 2018

World
Europe

After two sold-out seasons in 2003 and 2008, hit music “Cats” will return to China for the first time in 10 years and tour 13 Chinese cities in 2018. A press conference was held in Beijing to give fans more details on the tour.

Composed by Britain's Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on the "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats" by American writer T. S. Eliot, “Cats” is probably the most popular musical ever.

It tells the story of a pack of cats as they compete to be reborn into a promised new life for just one of them.

Actors perform on stage in "Cats". /Handout Photo

The musical first opened in London’s West End in 1981, and has since been performed around the world and translated into 15 languages.

"Two hundred and 15 cities, over 81 million people have seen it throughout the world. But this will be the largest tour in China," said David Ian from David Ian Productions.

Joanna Ampil, who plays the lead role of Grizabella, made a surprise appearance at the press conference and performed the famous song “Memory”.

A theater veteran from the Philippines, Ampil has played leading roles in "Les Miserables", "Miss Saigon", and "Rent". But she said starring in “Cats” and following in the footsteps of so many other talented artists performing “Memory” is a particularly daunting prospect.

Actors perform on stage in "Cats". /Handout Photo

"There's a lot of pressure, but so far people have been quite welcoming and accepting of the interpretation that we give them. The hardest part is that they already have the idea of how it is supposed to sound. But you have to do it your own way," Ampil said.

She also gave her take on why the musical is such a big success. “When we put on the clothes and put on the make-up, the transformation really happens… We are just passionate about the show."

Actors perform on stage in "Cats". /Handout Photo

With a top cast and creative team, the “Cats” China tour promises an authentic West End residential theater experience.

The musical will be performed at the Beijing Century Theater from September 21 to October 7 next year, and other stops will include Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Tickets will be cheap as 100 yuan (15 US dollars).