CATS Returns to Oxford in Drew McOnie's Brand-New Staging

By Alyssa | WhatsOn local events writer Alyssa picks out timely events, local favourites and useful places to eat, stay and explore.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s groundbreaking musical phenomenon returns to the Oxford stage in a major new UK tour, bringing T.S. Eliot’s whimsical feline universe vividly back to life under the visionary direction and choreography of Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie. Marking a significant theatrical event on the city’s cultural calendar, this high-calibre reimagining dusts off the legendary junkyard setting to deliver electrifying physical storytelling, soaring vocal performances and refreshed stagecraft that will delight both lifelong devotees and newcomers experiencing the Jellicle Ball for the very first time.

Acrobatic Feats and Moonlight Anthems Under the Junkyard Moon

Stepping inside the auditorium, audiences are plunged into an enchanting oversized junk shop, bathed in twilight blues and warm copper footlights where shadows twist into life. The air thrums with an unmistakable live theatre buzz as the opening notes of the synthesiser and percussion ripple through the house. McOnie’s athletic, contemporary movement language recharges the show’s famous physical vocabulary, giving characters like the mischievous duo Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, the swaggering Rum Tum Tugger and the mysterious magical Mr. Mistoffelees razor-sharp dynamism. From spine-tingling multi-part choral harmonies to the gut-wrenching, hushed crescendo of “Memory” sung under a glowing silver moon, the production shifts effortlessly between breathless athletic spectacle and poignant theatrical intimacy that holds theatregoers of every age spellbound.

A Shared Ritual for Multi-Generational Audiences

There is a unique camaraderie that infuses the crowd at a milestone musical run like this. Grandparents who caught the original West End run in the 1980s sit alongside wide-eyed children being introduced to large-scale theatrical magic for the first time, while drama students lean eagerly forward to study every intricate leap and pirouette. During the interval, the foyer bubbles with lively chatter, animated debates about favourite cat personalities and hummed snatches of familiar Lloyd Webber melodies, underscoring how deeply rooted these beloved characters remain in the nation’s collective cultural imagination.

Know Before You Go

• Secure your seats well in advance via the New Theatre Oxford Box Office, as peak weekend evening performances and matinees book up briskly.
• Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the 19:30 curtain call to clear bag checks, pick up your show programme and settle comfortably into your seats.
• Central Oxford operates a strict Zero Emission Zone and extensive parking restrictions; using the city’s Park & Ride services (such as Pear Tree, Seacourt or Thornhill) is strongly advised over driving directly into the core.
• The venue features step-free access to specific stalls seating alongside dedicated wheelchair spaces; get in touch with the accessibility team prior to booking if you require level access or hearing assistance headsets.
• Matinee dates during the run offer the gentlest pacing for younger families, whereas evening performances carry the liveliest pre-theatre atmosphere.

Make a Weekend of It

A night at the historic New Theatre Oxford on George Street provides the ideal centrepiece for exploring the vibrant heart of the city. Before curtain-up, slip down into nearby Friars Entry to feast on authentic, crisp wood-fired pizza and craft ales at The White Rabbit, or take a short stroll to Gloucester Street for seasonal British gastropub dishes on the heated patio at The Red Lion. If you prefer contemporary glamour, make your way to the rooftop terrace at Victors Oxford for Asian-inspired sharing plates and cocktail flourishes under floral canopies. Make a complete cultural break of your trip by browsing world-class antiquities and Renaissance masterpieces across the street at the Ashmolean Museum, before checking in for a lavish overnight stay at the landmark Victorian Gothic The Randolph Hotel Oxford, a Graduate by Hilton on Beaumont Street.

I hope you have a truly unforgettable night at the theatre in Oxford — Alyssa for What's On Oxford.