Interview: 'Everybody's As Important As The Rest': Actor Rachael Wooding on Returning to CATS

Later this month, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be playing host to the Jellicle Ball, as the hotly anticipated revival of CATS comes to the stage. Directed and choreographed by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Drew McOnie, the show promises to be “one of the theatrical events of 2026.” Recently, we had the chance to speak with Rachael Wooding, who is returning to the show that was her first job out of drama school, this time playing the iconic role of Grizabella. We discussed what it’s been like returning to CATS, how it feels to be in a reworked production of the beloved work and what she hopes audiences take away from the show.

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How did you first get started in the world of theatre?

I was actually - you won't believe this - quite shy as a child, and I found performing. I went to dance class, which led to amateur dramatics, which led to some local professional theatre, and I think that really gave me confidence. If you've got a purpose and you have a drive in life, it gives you a bit of inner confidence. So for me, I was hooked, because it made me feel good. I'm actually from near Sheffield, and they've got The Crucible there, which is - in my humble opinion - one of the best theatres. I love working there, and it's an amazing house - they put on loads of new work. I watched Les Mis in Manchester and I was like, “I don't know what it is, but I want to do it!” Now, there's more of a certain pattern of what you do, but back then I didn't know how - I just knew I wanted to do it, so I went to drama school. And actually, CATS was my first ever job out of drama school!

And now here you are! What is it like returning to this show?

It's actually really special for me! I was in my third year at college, and weren’t allowed to audition and stuff like that. I remember the principal saying, “Okay, all third years, there's an open call for CATS - you're all allowed to go for it.” You queued, you got your number on, four safety pins, off you go! I went over two days, and I got it. It was genuinely one of the most amazing experiences, so it's really special to me. At nineteen, I was doing that, and it was so physical! And CATS is one of a small group of ensemble pieces, and that's how I started on my favourite pieces of theatre. There's a lot of hierarchy - we know what it's like in commercial musical theatre and everything like that. It's one of the only pieces left that’s an ensemble piece - everybody's as important as the rest. You're making something, you're aware of it, you're really connected. There's commitment between everyone, and a real camaraderie, and I'd forgotten how important it was to me. 

So when the audition came around, I was like, “Do I want to do that again? Because it was so nice, do I want to mess with that?” I'm so glad I did, because it's that feeling of what I remember when I was younger. Plus working here at Regent’s Park, because this has been on my list! I've wanted to work with Drew for ages, and I've watched so many productions here, so I really wanted to work it. And now, it's surpassed anything - it's really special! It's so weird - you remember it all! The lyrics, the choreography, and everything. The stage is completely different, but it’s equally as exciting,

How have the rehearsals been going for the show?

Well, I will say this, because I'm Grizabella, and she's hardly in it. I was like, “Are they doing this to me on purpose?” It's like method, making me an outcast! It's not, obviously, but there's so much to do, and they're so busy! And I was young once. I remember not being phased at all, but this energy in the room is outrageous! When I am in, I feel like I'm a fan. I'm sat there going, “Oh my god, what are they doing?!” I'm giddy. It's making me feel something - it's amazing. But because I'm not in so much on stage, that means I'm not in as much, so I can't wait to be in more and be around it, because it is infectious! The feeling in the room is really infectious.

What is it like taking on the iconic role of Grizabella?

For me, it's a thing before you start. It's like, “What's that going to be?” As soon as you get into it, you start pulling it apart and learning that, reading it. I read the poems again, and the material. And it's Grizabella - I know who she is! I know the core of her, but I'm learning her, because I never did before. I was a kitten, so I looked up and saw her from that place. But to be inside her and doing that is a completely different thing. As soon as you're in a room with him [Drew], there's something about him. From the small bits that I've been doing so far, I just can't wait to do more! The original production is absolutely honoured in the sense that we believe in what this thing is, and we're all there, yet it's something completely different. It's amazing.

What is it like to be preparing to perform outdoors?

There's something really special about it, and you feel very much held. Weirdly, you're not going, “Oh my god, how am I going to cope with it?” You're just there. We're rehearsing now, and we've had all this heat, and you do adapt. You go, “Okay, I'm going to put sun cream on today, wear baggy clothes, wear a hat and hydrate.” And then you walk in here, and it feels calm, tranquil, peaceful and creative. It's great.

Do you have a favourite Jellicle cat?

I hold Rumpleteazer close to me, because she's a bit of a rogue. She's a bit chaotic and smart, and I've always loved her. And Briana's [Craig] amazing. She's got this energy that you can really feel, and I love her. I love Skimbleshanks!

You gotta love the Railway Cat!

You gotta love the Railway Cat! I love Sillabub, because I've got a child - she's just this wide-eyed, untouched version of the world that's open-hearted. She's a bit of a lesson to everyone - try and open up that pure heart. I love them all!

Do you have a favourite number from the show?

Well, I haven't seen it all yet, so I can't answer that yet, because I don't know what one I'm gonna love in this! But there are certain chords that happen in the music. Obviously I love “The Jellicle Ball,” because there's something wild and feral about that, and it's just frenetic. I love that. I think I'm gonna lose my mind when I watch that! Drew, he'd seen me do stuff before, like Standing at the Sky’s Edge, and that's quite a solid, grounded performance. And then I met him, and I'm a bit crazy, and we were having a right giggle in the audition, and he said to me, “You almost talked yourself out of the role, because I was like, ‘How can she be that?’” And then the chords went [Sings], and I went [Puts on serious face], and that's how I got the job. That's magical. 

What do you hope audiences take away from this production of CATS?

I want them to feel part of something, because I really feel this theatre does that. The best theatre is when we need you as much as you need us, and you're coming for something - an experience, a meeting of minds. We all get that something's happening, that we're putting something out, and you're giving us so much back, which we need. And because of what this piece is, and what it's saying, because it is about acceptance, community, raising people up, forgiveness, all of those themes are right woven in there. No matter who you are, coming to watch that, it will fill you with joy, make you feel something.

Theatre is the best thing. There's talk of AI and stuff like that, but even TV and film - which I love - you're not going to get that feeling anywhere else. So in this theatre, doing CATS, how iconic is that? It's about the moon, and it's going to be there! It almost blows my mind. People are going to have a moment watching this - a moment about humanity, about themselves, about their animal instincts, all of those things. And being part of something! I think it's going to be really special.

And finally, how would you describe CATS in one word?

Magical in the sense that there's something else, something more than what can be explained. CATS has been around a long time, and this version can hopefully live in tandem with that one, and just be out there. Right now, people want something else - not what we're living.

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