07 June,2026 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak Siddiqi
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS is based on T S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats
In May 1981, the New London Theatre saw something revolutionary. Refraining from traditional storytelling, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, based on TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats relied on dance, movement, and physical theatre, with performers undergoing rigorous training to embody feline characters. Its immersive set extended into the audience, while elaborate costumes and makeup became iconic. It ran for 18 years (London production ran for 21 years), won several awards and returned to the stage 12 years ago in a new avatar. And now, this iconic global musical will be staged in Mumbai.
Set over one magical night, Cats follows the Jellicle Cats as they gather beneath the Jellicle moon, hoping to be chosen for a new life. Cindy Ann Abrahams, who plays Grizabella, tells Sunday mid-day that she approaches it from a very human place. "She's isolated, but there's still so much pride and strength in her. Most people know what it feels like to want acceptance and feel shut out at some point in their lives, so I lean into that honesty every night. Even in her weakest moments, I never see her as broken; there's still dignity in her."
Abrahams shares how Memory, the iconic song in the musical, takes an emotional toll. "Vocally, it's about finding balance between strength and fragility while also taking care of your voice during a long run. Technically, you have to be on top of your game. The song only really works when it comes from a truthful place, so no two performances ever feel the same," she admits. For her, it's a story about redemption, forgiveness, self-worth, and the challenge is to ensure the emotion remains truthful beneath all the makeup, costumes and stylised movement.
Frankie Van Straten, Head of Costume, says, "Cats has one of the most recognisable visual identities in musical theatre. Our job is to preserve that DNA while adapting each costume for a new performer, production and venue. Every cat tells a story before they even move, with colour, texture, and silhouette instantly revealing personality. At the same time, these costumes have to withstand an extraordinary amount of physicality, from leaping and crawling to dancing and acrobatics. Throughout the tour, our wardrobe team constantly repairs, restores and maintains every detail, ensuring the cats look as magical on the final performance as they do on opening night."
Resident Director Matt Krzan tells us, "I think Cats has nine lives for a reason. On the surface, it's a spectacular celebration of dance, music, and imagination, but underneath all the whiskers and wonder, it's a story about belonging, identity, and second chances. Every audience member sees a little of themselves in the Jellicle tribe. One of its joys is that the characters are iconic, but they're not museum pieces. We start with the rich foundations that already exist: the choreography, the musical language, the world of the show, but then we ask questions. What kind of cat are you? How do you move? What are your habits, your quirks, your secret ambitions? Suddenly, a character becomes very personal. The goal isn't to imitate what came before; it's to honour the role while bringing your own fur, so to speak, to the performance."
The biggest challenge, he says is also the biggest thrill: creating a world that feels magical while remaining utterly real. The audience has to believe that these performers are cats from the moment they step on stage. That requires extraordinary discipline, detail, and consistency. Every gesture, every glance, every twitch of a tail matters. In Cats, even the smallest moment has paws on it.
Krzan hopes the Mumbai audience leaves feeling a little lighter and a little more open-hearted. "If audiences walk out humming a tune, marvelling at the dancing, and seeing the world with a touch more curiosity and compassion, then we've done our job. And if they find themselves looking at the neighbourhood cat with newfound respect, that's a bonus," he adds.
WHERE: The Grand Theatre, NMACC, BKC
WHEN: June 17 to 28, 2026 | 14:30, 19:30
TO BOOK: www.nmacc.com
