Grizabella casting revealed for UK and Ireland tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS
Photo credit: Jay Brooks
Following its record-breaking summer season in London, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation CATS will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals.
Three acclaimed West End performers, Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita), Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked) and Rachael Wooding (CATS, We Will Rock You, Starlight Express) will share the iconic role of Grizabella. Directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director Drew McOnie, the tour opens at Plymouth Theatre Royal on 6 October.
Louise Dearman says of joining the UK and Ireland tour of CATS: “‘Memory’ is one of the most famous songs in musical theatre history, so to perform it every night is incredible. Plus, the long list of women who have played Grizabella is pretty iconic in itself!”
Alice Fearn continues: “Grizabella is one of those roles I had on my ‘dream’ list. The chance to be a part of this huge CATS legacy and get the opportunity to sing one of the most iconic scores ever written is something I will cherish forever.”
Rachael Wooding concludes: “It feels like a full circle moment for me. CATS was my first musical out of drama school and getting to be part of the Jellicle tribe again, this time as Grizabella, both at Regent’s Park and now on tour, feels really special.”
'Memory' is one of musical theatre’s defining songs. It won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song, Musically and Lyrically in 1982, and the original West End Grizabella, Elaine Paige had a top 10 UK chart hit with the song. Andrew Lloyd Webber's haunting musical masterpiece has been recorded by many other notable performers, including Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow.
Louise Dearman's Grizabella dates include Plymouth, Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich, and Edinburgh.
Alice Fearn will play Grizabella in Llandudno, Glasgow, Nottingham, Canterbury, Sunderland, Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Oxford, Southampton, Bradford, Liverpool, Woking, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, and Newcastle.
Rachael Wooding appears as Grizabella in Hull and Manchester.
They join the previously announced UK and Ireland tour company, starring: Fin Adams a Alonzo, Kalisha Amaris as Old Deuteronomy, Carla Bertran as Electra/Co-Dance Captain, Elliot Broadfoot as Bustopher Jones/Gus, Grace Burrows (Swing), Matthew Caputo as Skimbleshanks, Josie Chambers-Sims as Syllabub, Briana Craig as Rumpleteazer, Katie Dunsden as Bombalurina, Joshua-Samuel Freeman as Tumblebrutus, Regan Garcia as Pouncival, Aaron Jenkins (Swing), Hannah Joseph as Victoria, Taziva-Faye Katsande as Tantomile, Diante Lodge as Macavity, Shona Mairi Masson (Swing), Owen McHugh as George, Danny Nattrass as Mungojerrie, Millie O'Connell as Demeter, Andrew Parfit as Coricopat, Dean Rickards (Swing), Nathan Rigg (Swing), Lucie-Mae Sumner as Jellylorum/Griddlebone, Laura Tyrer as Jennyanydots/Gumbie Cat, Jaydon Vijn as Rum Tum Tugger, Jack Wilcox as Munkustrap, Jet Yau as Mr. Mistoffelees, Taela Yeomans-Brown (Swing/Co-Dance Captain), and Patricia Zhou as Cassandra.
Joining Drew McOnie on the creative team are set, costume and wigs designer Sami Fendall, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Adam Fisher, makeup designer Guy Common, intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon, fight director Kev McCurdy, casting director Will Burton, and musical supervisor Alex Parker.
To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.