REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE
WITH MICHAEL HARRISON FOR LLOYD WEBBER HARRISON MUSICALS
ANNOUNCE A BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S
CATS
TO PLAY AT REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE
FROM 25 JULY – 12 SEPTEMBER 2026
BEFORE A MAJOR UK TOUR FROM OCTOBER 2026
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, today announce that in Summer 2026 a brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will leap into the magical outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, this production of CATS will run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 25 July – 12 September 2026 [with a press night on 6 August 2026].
It will then embark on a major UK tour through to July 2027, opening in Plymouth before visiting Hull, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Llandudno and Glasgow with further venues to be announced.
CATS is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals as part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director. It marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last 10 years following the Olivier-Award winning revival of Jesus Christ Superstar (choreographed by McOnie) in 2016, 2017 and 2020, and Evita in 2019.
Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals’ recent productions include the acclaimed, hit production of Evita at The London Palladium, the Olivier-Award and Tony-Award winning revival of SUNSET BLVD., and Starlight Express, which has just extended for the sixth time at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
‘Another day is dawning.’
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. And each of them asks, because each of them dares, who will it be?
With a legendary score featuring Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, The Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar), is sure to be one of the theatrical events of 2026. Casting and full creative team to be announced.
CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The ground-breaking production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical. It ran for 18 years.
Since its world premiere, CATS has been presented in over 54 countries, has been translated into 23 languages and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide. The Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. In 2026, CATS will also embark on 2 major international tours, and CATS: The Jellicle Ball will make its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theater.
Drew McOnie said: “As for many dancers in the industry, CATS was a transformative experience for me and as a former cast member it’s thrilling to be directing and choreographing this brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical. I can’t wait to share this much-loved piece with a new generation of audiences both in the stunning outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and in theatres across the UK. With the production heading out on tour, we are delighted that it will reach audiences across the country after its London run, continuing our commitment to working with partners – in this case the brilliant Michael Harrison – to ensure our work is seen by as many as possible beyond our home in Regent’s Park.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs. I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”
Michael Harrison said: “I am delighted that we will be presenting a brand new production of CATS next summer. Drew is an outstanding artist and it has long felt destined that he would one day reinvent this great musical. Andrew and I are excited to be working with him and his team at Regent’s Park, and we look forward to the Jellicle Moon shining brightly on this thrilling new production in the splendour of the Open Air Theatre and at major theatres across the country as part of the new UK tour.”
Tickets for CATS go on sale to members on 23 October and to general public on 28 October: openairtheatre.com
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s full 2026 season will be announced early next year.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals presents
CATS
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September 2026
‘Another day is dawning.’
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. And each of them asks, because each of them dares, who will it be?
With a legendary score featuring Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, The Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand new production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar), is sure to be one of the theatrical events of 2026.
By arrangement with LW Entertainment.
Andrew Lloyd Webber | Music
Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. When Sunset Boulevard joined School of Rock, CATS, and The Phantom of the Opera he equaled Rodgers & Hammerstein’s record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards.
In New York, he recently opened Masquerade which brings audiences closer than ever before to his global phenomenon, The Phantom of the Opera. Masquerade comes hot on the heels of the Tony Award Winning revival of Sunset Boulevard.
Lloyd Webber owns six London theaters including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Reopened in July 2021, the latter was completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It was one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent times. His mantra is that every penny of profit made from his theaters is put back into the buildings.
Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. In Britain, The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music in Secondary School Trust (MiSST) and commissioning research into diversity in theater.
In 2022, Andrew Lloyd Webber partnered with Michael Harrison to produce new productions of existing work and his future musicals. His latest, The Illusionist, will be produced in London in 2027.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992, created an honorary life peer in 1997, and made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King Charles III in 2024.
Drew McOnie | Director & Choreographer
For Regent’s Park as Director/Choreographer: Brigadoon, On The Town (Director & Choreographer); Jesus Christ Superstar, Carousel (Choreographer).
For McOnie Company: The Artist (Theatre Royal Plymouth – UK Theatre Award Winner for Best Direction); Nutcracker (Southbank Centre – National Dance Award Winner for Best Independent Company); Jekyll and Hyde (Old Vic Theatre – Broadway World Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Dance); DRUNK (Bridewell Theatre); Making Midnight (Jermyn Street Theatre/Latitude Festival).
As Director/Choreographer: King Kong (Broadway Theatre – Broadway); Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre – West End – What’s On Stage Award Nominee, Best Theatre Choreography); The Wild Party (The Other Palace); Torch Song Trilogy (Turbine Theatre).
As Choreographer: In the Heights (Southwark Playhouse/Kings Cross Theatre – Olivier Award and Offie Award Winner for Best Theatre Choreography); Hairspray (Broadway World Award Winner for Best Theatre Choreography); Oklahoma (UK National Tour); Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith/UK National Tour); The Lorax (Old Vic Theatre); Sound of Music, Chicago (Curve Leicester).
Film Includes: Greatest Days – The Official Take That Movie (Choreographer).
Ballets include: Merlin (Northern Ballet – National Tour); XYZ (Classical Creative Project); Little Red (NYB, Hackney Empire); Old Man of Lochnagar (NYB, Sadler’s Wells).
Drew McOnie became the Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in January 2024. He is also the Artistic Director of The McOnie Company and a proud Associate Artist of The Old Vic Theatre.
BOX OFFICE INFORMATION
Box Office 0333 400 3562* | openairtheatre.com
Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NU
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#OAT2026 / #CATS
2026 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals presents
CATS
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September 2026
Access Performances:
BSL Interpreted: Tuesday 1 September, 7.45pm
Captioned: Friday 4 September, 7.45pm
Audio Described: Saturday 5 September, 2.15pm
Age Recommend: 5+
Tickets from: £15
BEYOND THE PARK
Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Brian & Dayna Lee present
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
UK & Ireland Tour until 3 January 2026
Roald Dahl Story Company present
The family musical based on Roald Dahl’s
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE
UK & US Tour until 26 July 2026
Originally co-produced by Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre & Leeds Playhouse
Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals presents
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of
CATS
Theatre Royal Plymouth 6 – 17 October 2026
Hull New Theatre 20 – 24 October 2026
Birmingham Hippodrome 27 Oct -7 November 2026
Palace Theatre Manchester 10 – 21 November 2026
Bristol Hippodrome 24 – 28 November 2026
Venue Cymru Llandudno 1 – 5 December 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow 8 – 27 December 2026