By Grace Hatchell
Well, there’s something worth slipping into the January diary before it disappears beneath dentist appointments and reminders to put the bins out. CATS is coming to Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 January 2027, with Alice Fearn stepping into the role of Grizabella.
Now, I deliver plenty of things on my rounds, but news of a West End leading lady bringing one of musical theatre’s most famous songs to the North East deserves rather more than a quiet shove through the letterbox.
Following its record-breaking summer season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is heading out on a major UK and Ireland tour. Presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, it opens at Theatre Royal Plymouth on Tuesday 6 October 2026, before making its way around the country.
At the helm is Drew McOnie, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Artistic Director, who both directs and choreographs. His previous work includes Brigadoon and Jesus Christ Superstar, and here he turns his attention to a gathering of London’s feline strays and rebels.
Quite the change from gathering undelivered parcels at the sorting office, although I imagine both require firm leadership.
Alice Fearn will be familiar to audiences from Wicked, Come From Away and the UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen. Her theatre credits also include Kimberly Akimbo, Shrek The Musical, Into the Woods, Les Misérables and The Woman in White.
That’s a fair few worlds to have inhabited before joining the Jellicles.
Speaking about taking on Grizabella, Alice said:
“‘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.”
And, of course, that brings us to ‘Memory’.
Even people whose musical theatre knowledge begins and ends with “our Janet went to see something in London” are likely to recognise it. The song won the 1982 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song, Musically and Lyrically, while original West End Grizabella Elaine Paige took it into the UK top ten. Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow are among the other performers who have recorded it.
It’s quite a song to have waiting in your working day. My rounds generally come with somebody’s doorbell playing a tinny version of a song.
Alice shares the role of Grizabella across the tour with Louise Dearman, whose credits include Wicked and Evita, and Rachael Wooding, known for CATS, We Will Rock You and Starlight Express. Sunderland audiences will see Alice in the role.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical gathers its characters beneath the Jellicle moon, each hoping to be the chosen one. Alongside ‘Memory’, Lloyd Webber’s score includes ‘Old Deuteronomy’, ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’ and ‘Jellicle Ball’.
Among the touring company are Kalisha Amaris as Old Deuteronomy, Diante Lodge as Macavity, Jaydon Vijn as Rum Tum Tugger, Jack Wilcox as Munkustrap and Jet Yau as Mr. Mistoffelees. Millie O’Connell plays Demeter, Danny Nattrass is Mungojerrie, Briana Craig is Rumpleteazer and Matthew Caputo takes on Skimbleshanks.
There’s a collection of names to test a postie’s handwriting. You’d want a generous envelope.
The production’s creative team includes Sami Fendall designing the sets, costumes and wigs, Jessica Hung Han Yun designing the lighting and Adam Fisher designing the sound. Guy Common handles makeup design, with Ingrid Mackinnon as Intimacy Director, Kev McCurdy as Fight Director, Will Burton as Casting Director and Alex Parker as Musical Supervisor.
And this is a musical with some mileage behind it. CATS premiered at London’s New London Theatre in 1981, where it ran for 21 years and almost 9,000 performances. Its Broadway production ran for 18 years and won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Since its premiere, the show has reached more than 77 million people across over 54 countries, with translations into 23 languages.
Now Sunderland gets its turn with McOnie’s production—and I reckon that’s a rather good excuse to put down the January chores for an evening.
CATS plays Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 January 2027. Tickets are available now through ATG Tickets. A transaction fee may apply to online bookings.
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