Opening night - Feb 8th 2026

“The reviewing of Cats is a difficult matter...”

Why? I had never seen this musical staged; and there is just so much to see in this production. 

For those who don't know, Cats is based on a poem by T.S Eliot. The rough storyline revolves around a group of “Jellicle Cats”, who once a year convene to see who will be chosen to rise into a new life. Helmed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, it premiered in the 80s and is a frequent visitor to our state even now. I know you're probably expecting more synopsis but that really is all you need to know because that's really all it is. 

Now that that's out of the way, let's get into it... So, what can you expect when you come to see this show in its very short Brisbane season?

Well, for starters, the set is gorgeous and honestly, I really wanted to go up and explore the playground they had built. There is a box of corn flakes, a washing machine, enormous tyres, the boot of a car, basically just, debris, debris, debris and a very oversized reminder of what you throw into the dump! The orchestra has been moved from their pit to allow the stage to literally spill over into the audience (Spoiler alert, not the only element that will enter the audience space). The scale and layering makes the huge stage feel more intimate and the cats feel small and dainty and truly makes for a great game of Spot O pre-show.

The lighting is clever, from almost the first note of the overture. Little cats eyes lighting up in the set and a string of festoon lights, weaving through and stretching all the way to the Lyric Theatre roof (above the audience), brings fun, mood and colour into the production. There’s car headlights stopping cats in their tracks, light up cat eyes on the cast, and a rising circle of lights to provide growing rays of light that I was dying to photograph. Side note, a photography point for me. A moment in blackout, where the actors are lit only by a hand held spotlight that one of the cast members has control of and, from my seat, it beautifully backlit two of the cats interacting downstage. I was just dying to be let loose with a camera to capture it.

The storyline is a little like a fever dream. It twitches around like cat movements. And honestly... I just hadn’t done my research, preferring to go in blind. So I did struggle to keep up sometimes, especially given I was prone to finding gorgeous little moments created by the ensemble in the back of scenes. Although KB assures me that even with research it's still possible I would feel the same. Please, if you go, give a moment or two in songs to search for the background acting happening on that stage. There’s a cat using the stage as a scratching post, a duo over to the side cleaning each others ears, a cat wrapping herself around the leg of another and one that’s completely distracted batting its friends tail around. I love little moments like this in a show and Cats is full to the brim with them!

As an ex-dancer, I was excited to see the choreography and I think it kept up with expectations. It uses a great mix of ballet movement, long and controlled, with fast footwork and twitchy cat like movements. The way the cat physicality is folded into the dance steps and even in the way the performers hold themselves is brilliant. They hold their shoulders forward and arms in an abnormal way, they tilt their heads and arabesques end in an almost muscle shudder. At one point, tap shoes emerge and we get dancing cockroaches. Delightful. Even KB agrees, since she's a sucker for a tap routine!

Speaking of the cockroaches, the props scattered in the stage and wings are pulled in to transform our cats into new animals and at one point, an entire train. From an oversized shoe becoming a dog's head to garbage bags, utensils and cleaning product smaking up the bodies and heads of the tapping cockroaches. Spot the clever construction logo on some of the shoeboxes that become hands and feet at some stage!

Finally, we want to spotlight a few performances of the many to look forward to! To round out the excitement for your visit. Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do...

Todd Mckenny - a legend for a reason.  Possibly the Cat with the most costume changes? He is making great acting choices for each of his roles. KB's favourite moments were McKenny's storytelling prowess and his mastership of the business of show. He is so dialled in even when the spotlight isn't on him while staying as charming as ever. 10/10. Sir, you are great.

Gabriyel Thomas - Holy Moly. Memory is not my favourite song but the way this woman sings her soul out is beautiful and her tentative movements as Grizabella tries to dance again, she is heartbreakingly beautiful and ours weren't the only teary eyes at intermission!

Des Flannigan - This Rum Tum Tugger has a more traditional look than the last Australian tour and Des works it. So much hip thrusting and tail twirling and brilliant facial expressions in every moment he graces the stage. So fun.

And while that is technically it when it comes to this particular review, I’ll leave you with three unhinged things I wanted to do after seeing this show... but couldn’t as I would injure myself or others

1) Slide down the boot of the car in the set. And maybe curl up inside it in the Gumbie Cat jacket.

2) Glide across the floor on my knees like these performers do with their furry little cats legs. Looks so satisfying! At one point Rum Tum Tugger stopped right at the end of the stage - Skill!

3) Cartwheel.

Have we convinced you to go and see it? Tell us what you thought!!

X B

Imagery supplied by: Cameron Grant | Parenthesy from Melbourne Media Call