John Napier News

The latest West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash-hit musical Cats kicked off its Australasian tour last night to a packed Civic Theatre in Auckland. Nominated for two Olivier Awards (including best revival) this production of Cats was put together by the original creative team of the award winning 1981 London production and features the superb UK star Sophia Ragavelas in the role of 'Grizabella'.

While August is quickly winding down, much of the country is still engulfed in an oppressive summer heat. Whether or not it's global warming (it's global warming), there is no escaping the Dog Days of Summer. So, for our monthly feature, Jeff Walker and I made the only tangentially related leap to take a look at our favorite showtunes about animals, dogs or otherwise. Take a look at what we came up with, and share yours in the comments below.

As previously announced, Beverley Knight is to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats to play the role of Grizabella.  Returning to the London Palladium from 23 October 2015, Lloyd Webber's acclaimed new production of Cats will run for a strictly limited 11 week season until 2 January 2016.   Check out the video below of Beverley Knight rehearsing and discussing her role as 'Grizabella.'

Rose Theatre Kingston today announces the full company for The Wars of the Roses. Trevor Nunn will direct Oscar Batterham (John Talbot/Son who killed his father), Freddy Carter (company), Kare Conradi (Dauphin/Edward IV), Oliver Cotton (Winchester/Clifford/Hastings), Jim Creighton (Burgandy/Simpcox/Stafford/Father who killed his son/Ely), Imogen Daines (Joan of Arc/Lady Bona/Lady Anne), Harry Egan (company), Alexandra Gilbreath (Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester/Elizabeth), Alexander Hanson (Richard, Duke of York/Buckingham), Rufus Hound (Bedford/Bolingbroke/Jack Cade/Rivers), James de Lauch Hay (company), Geoff Leesley (Exeter/Mortimer/Lord Mayor/Lt of the Tower), Owen Oakeshott (Somerset/Ratcliff), Joely Richardson (Margaret), Robert Sheehan (Alencon/Richard III), James Simmons (Talbot/John Hume/Norfolk/First Murderer), Laurence Spellman (Bastard of Orleans/Young Clifford/Richmond/Second Murderer), Susan Tracy (Margery Jourdain/Duchess of York), Alex Waldmann (Henry VI/Tyrrel), Timothy Walker (Warwick/Catesby), Andrew Woodall (Gloucester/Iden/Derby) and Michael Xavier (Suffolk/George of Clarence).

Today the Producers of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS announced the incredible and exciting news that DELTA GOODREM is performing with the all-Australian cast when the acclaimed West End revival production of CATS tours Australia from October this year.  Delta is confirmed to play the coveted role of Grizabella in Sydney, Hobart & Melbourne and will sing Memory, one of the most well-known songs of all time.

Jane McDonald takes on the starring role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS when it returns to Blackpool direct from its sell-out season at the London Palladium in the West End. Jane, who is one of Britain's best loved singers, presenters and entertainers, will play the role of Grizabella. The hit show will run at the Blackpool Opera House for a strictly limited eight weeks from tonight 9 July and the Blackpool performances will be the only place theatre-goers can see CATS North of London in 2015.

Today the Producers of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS announced the all-Australian cast for the acclaimed West End revival production, which tours Australia from October this year. This much-loved record-breaking musical opens in Sydney on 30 October and is then touring to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide finishing in Perth in April 2016.

It's official! Joining previously announced Joely Richardson, Robert Sheehan and Kare Conradi in THE WARS OF THE ROSES at Rose Theatre, Kingston are: Rufus Hound (Bedford & Bolingbroke), Jack Cade (Rivers), Oliver Cotton (Winchester, Clifford, Hastings), Laurence Spellman (Young Clifford, Richmond), Alex Waldmann (Henry VI, Tyrrell), Susan Tracy (Margery Jourdain, Duchess of York).

The Daily Mail writes that DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS star Rufus Hound has signed on for Trevor Nunn's THE WARS OF THE ROSES at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, this fall.

According to the Daily Mail, Joely Richardson will portray Shakespeare's heroine 'Margaret of Anjou' in THE WARS OF THE ROSES, helmed by Trevor Nunn at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, beginning in September.

Following its triumphant season in London's West End, the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber'srecord-breaking musical CATS comes to Australia for a strictly limited season, opening in Sydney on 30 October 2015 then touring to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide from 18 March 2016 followed by Perth from 16 April 2016. 

Following its triumphant season in London's West End, the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical CATS comes to Australia for a strictly limited season, opening in Sydney on 30 October 2015 then touring to Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide from 18 March 2016 followed by Perth from 16 April 2016. 

Rose Theatre Kingston today announces its most ambitious project to date - this autumn the Rose stage will be transformed into a battlefield for The Wars of the Roses, a gripping adaptation of four of Shakespeare's history plays, directed by Trevor Nunn. The productions will play in rep from 16 September until 31 October, with press performances for all three plays on 3 October.

Beverley Knight is to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical Cats to play the role of Grizabella.   Returning to the London Palladium from 23 October 2015, Lloyd Webber's record breaking Cats will run for a ten week season until 2 January 2016.  Tickets are from £20 with top price seats at £59.50 and children's tickets at half price for Monday to Thursday performances.

The Daily Mail writes that Andrew Lloyd Webber has picked Beverley Knight to lead the London return of Cats as 'Grizabella' this autumn. Not only that, but the famed composer cast her without an audition.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel reports that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is about to announce a revival next spring for his record-breaking musical CATS

Following its triumphant season in London's West End, the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical CATS comes to Australia for a strictly limited season, opening in Sydney on 30 October 2015 then touring to Hobart, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The original Broadway Grizabella lets the memory live again in the UK!

Andrew Lloyd Webber has confirmed earlier rumors of Cats' return to the London Palladium. The Daily Mail reports that the musical will run from October 23, 2015 to January 2, 2016 at the venue.