John Napier
CATS Returns to Sands Theatre This October; Waitlist Now Open (Feb 1, 2026)
Cast Set For CATS The Musical in South Africa (Oct 22, 2025)
Review: CATS at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre (Sep 27, 2025)
BIO
John Napier studied fine art at Hornsey College of Art in the early 1960s and theatre design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts under Ralph Koltai. He is an associate designer of the RSC.
Notable productions for the RSC include: Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, King Lear, Once in a Lifetime, The Greeks, Nicholas Nickleby, Hedda Gabler, Peter Pan and Mother Courage.
NT productions include: The Party (Olivier’s last performance at the Old Vic), Equus, later seen worldwide, Trelawny of the ‘Wells’, An Enemy of the People, Peter Pan, Candide and South Pacific. Opera includes Lohengrin and Macbeth (Royal Opera, Covent Garden), Idomeneo (Glyndebourne), The Devils (ENO) and Nabucco (Metropolitan Opera).
Musical theatre includes: Cats, Starlight Express, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard.
These productions have been presented on Broadway and around the world. Other West End designs include: Time, Children of Eden and Jesus Christ Superstar. John designed the Captain EO video starring Michael Jackson for Disney. He created and co-directed the spectacular Siegfried & Roy Show at the Mirage in Las Vegas, followed by Steven Spielberg’s film Hook. Other designs include: Burning Blue (Haymarket, 1996 Olivier Award for Best Set Design), The Tower and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (both Almeida), Martin Guerre (West Yorkshire Playhouse and tour) and the musical version of Jane Eyre (Broadway). He recently designed Skellig (Young Vic), Aladdin (Old Vic) and Gone with the Wind (New London).
John Napier’s design awards include two Society of West End Theatre Awards, an Olivier, a BAFTA and five Tony Awards for Nicholas Nickleby, Cats, Starlight Express, Les Misérables and Sunset Boulevard. He is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, was elected Royal Designer for Industry in 1996 and is an Honorary Fellow of the London Institute.
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
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John Napier, Les Miserables
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John Napier, Starlight Express
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John Napier, Starlight Express
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John Napier , Les Misérables
John Napier, Starlight Express
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John Napier, Cats
John Napier, Peter Pan, RSC
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John Napier, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
John Napier, Cats
John NapierOnce In A Lifetime
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John NapierKing Lear
John Napier, Equus
John Napier, Equus
Videos
VIDEO: Lauren Louis Talks CATS National Tour at Denver Center for the Performing Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-05-25 15:56:09
VIDEO: First Look at the National Tour of CATS in San Francisco
by Stephi Wild - 2022-03-08 06:00:42
Exclusive Video: CATS Tour Cast Members Perform WAITRESS's 'She Used to Be Mine'
by Linnae Medeiros - 2019-08-21 13:39:13
BREAKING VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Sings 'Memory' From The CATS Film
by Alan Henry - 2019-04-03 15:20:27
VIDEO: Ian McKellen Tells Graham Norton How He's Preparing for the CATS Film
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-11-12 12:23:11
VIDEO: Broadway's CATS Supports Shelter Felines, Pet Adoption in New Campaign
by BWW News Desk - 2017-12-15 11:48:39
STAGE TUBE: CATS Company Pounces on Broadway in New TV Commercial
by Stage Tube - 2017-01-20 16:42:38
STAGE TUBE: CATS Alumni Betty Buckley & Bryan Batt Celebrate Broadway Opening with Makeup Tutorial!
by Rebecca Russo - 2016-07-31 09:58:32
TV: Watch Beverley Knight Rehearsing and Discussing Her Role as 'Grizabella' in West End's CATS
by Christina Mancuso - 2015-07-31 08:00:14
STAGE TUBE: Watch as Kerry Ellis Becomes 'Grizabella' in West End's CATS!
by Nicole Rosky - 2015-03-17 14:48:49
STAGE TUBE: Throwback Thursday - Barbra Streisand Sings 'Memory' From CATS!
by Carrie Dunn - 2014-12-11 02:12:50
STAGE TUBE: Throwback Thursday - John Partridge as Rum Tum Tugger In CATS!
by Carrie Dunn - 2014-12-11 02:05:11
STAGE TUBE: Throwback Thursday - Elaine Paige Talks About Playing Grizabella In CATS!
by Carrie Dunn - 2014-12-11 01:57:59
News
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Feb 1, 2026
This October, one of musical theater’s most iconic spectacles makes its long-awaited return to the Red Dot. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking, genre-defining musical CATS will leap back onto the stage at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, for a strictly limited season.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 22, 2025
The cast has been announced for the highly anticipated return of CATS - one of the most iconic and beloved musicals in theatre history. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
by Barry Lenny - Sep 27, 2025
Almost forty years ago, in 1987, I happened to be sent on a training course in Melbourne, when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Cats, had its run in Sydney and been transferred to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, and I took advantage of the opportunity to buy a ticket to see the performance.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 13, 2025
Manhattan Concert Productions will continue its acclaimed Broadway Series with Jane Eyre, coming to David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in 2026. The concert will be led by Erika Henningsen as the title character and Ramin Karimloo as Rochester. We have all of the details! here!
by Jade Kops - Jun 22, 2025
CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s (Music) musical theatre adaptation of T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats” returns its original Australian home, Sydney’s Theatre Royal.
by Stephi Wild - May 9, 2025
Opening at Artscape in Cape Town in December 2025 before transferring to Montecasino's Teatro in Johannesburg, Cats is set to run through the festive season and into early 2026.
by Sidney Paterra - May 4, 2025
The results of the 2025 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare?
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025
Opening at Artscape in Cape Town in December 2025 before transferring to Montecasino's Teatro in Johannesburg, this production is set to dazzle audiences through the festive season and into early 2026.
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 13, 2024
CATS will be performed at Musiktheater Linz from July 9 to August 3, 2025, presented by Landestheater Linz, ATG Entertainment, and David Ian for Crossroads Live.
by Jade Kops - Sep 2, 2024
Andew Lloyd Webber (Music), Don Black (Book & Lyrics) and Christopher Hampton’s (Book & Lyrics) SUNSET BOULEVARD is given a reworking for Opera Australia and GWB Entertainment by director Paul Warwick Griffin.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2024
The Museum of Broadway announced the debut of new costumes and accessories on-view now including CATS, Gigi, Jaja's African Hair Braiding, and more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 8, 2023
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023–24 Live in HD season continues with the live transmission of Verdi’s early masterpiece Nabucco. Learn how to watch!
by Richard Sasanow - Oct 2, 2023
The Met’s production of NABUCCO from Elijah Moshinsky may date back to 2001 but its style hearkens back even further--a fancy, old-fashioned unit set that uses the house’s big turntable--and it’s a whale of a show, design-wise, thanks to John Napier’s scenic design.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 11, 2023
Get ready for an incredible lineup! The Met: Live in HD has revealed its 2023-24 season, featuring nine must-see performances. Find out when and where you can catch these amazing shows in this article.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 30, 2023
Experience the powerful drama of Verdi's Nabucco as it returns to the Metropolitan Opera this September. Learn about the dates and ticket information for this must-see production. Don't miss your chance to witness this epic performance.
by Alyson Eng - May 27, 2023
At some point in their lives, most people have heard of the musical: CATS. Whether it’s because of its unique costumes or iconic songs, CATS will always be a Broadway classic. This week, Broadway Across Canada and Troika Entertainment brought the musical to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
by Evan Henerson - May 20, 2023
The tour of SIX at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, is 90 minutes of partying with performers Khaila Wilcoxon, Storm Lever, Natalie Paris, Olivia Donalson, Courtney Mack and Gabriela Carrillo as killer – or maybe make that killed? - MCs.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2023
The American Theatre Guild will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN THOUSAND OAKS SERIES and will take the Bank of America Performing Arts Center stage May 11–14, 2023.
by Alan Henry - Mar 23, 2023
Students at a school in Kiyv recorded a production of the musical CATS from their bomb shelter amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 16, 2023
Purchase College, State University of New York’s Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, will present the Ninth Broadway technical “Backstage Legends and Masters Award” to theater legend, William M. (Bill) Mensching on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7 p.m. at The Performing Arts Center on campus, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, NY.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Best Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables, Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for Starlight Express, Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for Starlight Express, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables, Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Starlight Express, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats, Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Peter Pan, RSC, Special Citation (The Hewes Awards) for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Cats, Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Once In A Lifetime, Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for King Lear, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus and Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus.
John Napier has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including Best Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables, Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for Starlight Express, and Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for Starlight Express. He also won Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats, a Special Citation (The Hewes Awards) for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for King Lear.
Videos