Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS is to return to Blackpool
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 2015 Olivier award nominated musical CATS is to return to Blackpool direct from its sell-out season at the London Palladium in the West End.
The hit show will run at the Blackpool Opera House for a strictly limited eight week run from 9 July.
Tickets go on sale at 10 am today (Friday 13 March).
Adapted from TS Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, with an amazing musical score that includes the timeless “Memory”, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breath-taking choreography, CATS is a magical musical like no other.
On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
CATS has a successful history in Blackpool. It first came to the Opera House in 1989 for an unprecedented six-month run. It then returned to wow audiences in 2003 as part of a national tour.
Councillor Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, said: “I am thrilled to be welcoming CATS back to Blackpool. It has enjoyed huge success in the West End with a sell-out run at the London Palladium so for Blackpool now to be the chosen location as the show leaves the capital is great.
“The Opera House is the only North West theatre and indeed, the only place north of London where people will be able to see CATS in the UK this year so we are delighted.
“It is also great for Blackpool that we are attracting such huge shows. Last year we enjoyed fantastic success with the 12 week run of Mamma Mia! so to be able to boast yet another amazing show for the Summer Season is an absolute delight.”
One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, CATS has been seen by more than 73 million people and enchanted audiences in more 300 cities around the world – now you too have the chance to experience this legendary musical phenomenon.
Managing Director of the Winter Gardens Michael Williams said the addition of CATS to the Opera House’s already packed 2015 schedule is the icing on the cake.
Michael said: “The Blackpool Opera House has a great history with CATS so we are thrilled to be welcoming the show back. The success of the show in London in the past year proves that there is always room to see such hugely successful shows return and we look forward to welcoming both long-standing CATS fans and new ones.
“We have an amazing year lined up at the Opera House. We currently have the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, this will be followed by Lord of the Dance and only a couple of weeks ago we announced the World Premiere of Last Night A DJ Saved My Life starring David Hasselhoff.
“To now be able to add CATS to that mix for our Summer Season is great for the venue and Blackpool.”
CATS is directed by Trevor Nunn, with Gillian Lynne as Associate Director and Choreographer and designs by John Napier. Book is by T. S. Eliot with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
This 2015 Blackpool season of the Cameron Mackintosh and Really Useful Theatre production of CATS is presented by David Ian Productions.
CATS will be at Blackpool Opera House from Thursday 9 July to Sunday 6 September.
Tickets priced from £20 go on sale at 10am on Friday 13 March and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Showtimes
Thursday 9 July (preview night), Opening Night Friday 10 July to Sunday 6 September 2015
(Tuesday – Sunday evenings at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm)
There will be NO performances 4 – 9 August.
ENDS
12 MARCH 2015
Notes to editors: Michael Williams and Cllr Graham Cain are available for interview.
2 pics attached from CATS. Please note they must be credited © RUT 2015. Photograph of London Palladium Company by Alessandro Pinna
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Rhodes, Rhodes Media
T: 01253 477480 E: [email protected]
Blackpool Opera House is one of the UK's largest theatres, with a seating capacity of almost 3,000. It's a world famous venue which has seen performances from some of the greatest entertainers and shows such as stars of yesteryear Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Bob Hope to today's biggest names including Bob Dylan, Peter Kay, One Direction and Little Mix. Many of the most popular touring shows have graced the stage including Mamma Mia!, Starlight Express, Calendar Girls and Scrooge.
The Winter Gardens Blackpool offers a variety of venues for events ranging from business lunches to exhibitions and conferences. 11 separate spaces are available for hire either individually or in combination. Whether it be the grandeur of The Empress Ballroom or The Opera House, the vast space of Olympia or the more intimate surroundings of The Spanish Hall Suite, each of the venues has its own unique character and history – the perfect setting for any event.
The Winter Gardens celebrated its 135th birthday in 2013.