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After its previous Singapore shows in 2015 and 2019, CATS is finally back after 7 years, running until 22 Nov 2026 at the Sands Theatre. The musical is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Books of Practical Cats (1939), with the score made by the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber. The book is a collection of poems, with each focusing on the different Jellicle cats’ personalities.
The word “Jellicle” actually comes from T.S. Eliot’s unpublished poem “Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats”. There are many explanations for how the word came about. The most popular explanation is that it’s a play on how people say “dear little cats”. If you say “poor little dogs” and “dear little cats” fast enough, it does actually sound like “Pollicle” and “Jellicle”.
CATS first premiered in 1981 in London, playing for 21 years — one of the longest-running musicals in the West End. It is one of musical theatre’s most iconic productions, boasting many accolades such as the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. The production has been watched by over 77 million people and performed in more than 54 countries. The Broadway cast even won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, and the original London cast recording was Grammy-nominated as well.
The musical unfolds in a larger-than-life junkyard where the Jellicle Cats gather for their Jellicle Ball because they Jellicle-can. Just like us humans, each feline has their own personality, quirks and story to share. Throughout the musical, they’ll share their stories with their leader — Old Deuteronomy, played by King B — who will pick one lucky feline to ascend to the Heaviside Layer (basically kitty heaven) for a new life.
This year’s Singapore cast includes Cindy-Ann Abrahams as Grizabella, whose performance of the iconic song “Memory” is one of the production’s key moments. Meanwhile, Mukeni Nel returns following his appearance in the musical’s 2019 Singapore season as Quaxo, also known as Mr Mistoffelees.
Although the most well-known CATS poster features a clean design, with bright, glowing eyes centred upon a black background, the set design and production are anything but minimal. With oversized junk items such as tennis rackets, pipes and more random knick-knacks, the junkyard looks less like heaps of rubbish but more like a playground where the Jellicle Cats have fun. The gigantic Jellicle Moon hangs over the entire set, shrouding the junkyard in mystical blue hues. The set looks otherworldly and multichromatic, with purple, blue and green colours.
The opening overture is anything but simple as well. The theatre turns pitch black, and neon eyes slowly start to appear, blinking at the audience. I actually felt a weird sense of fear here, as I wasn’t sure what to expect. It felt as if a wild animal was hunting me down in the dark, like I was prey. After a sequence of neon eyes emerging from the dark, the Jellicle Cats themselves appear, running down the aisles. During this and other segments, the cats break the fourth wall often, interacting with audience members. Although they’re human-sized, the way the actors behaved really felt as though they were… well… cats. The actors were vocalising, looking around apprehensively, slow-blinking and moving swiftly — just like cats.
Act 1 begins with an explanation of what the Jellicle Cats are and their purpose for gathering. After this, it’s basically a really elaborate show-and-tell, where each feline shares their stories, unique traits and quirks through song and dance. Victoria, a pure white kitten, opens the Jellicle Ball with an enchanting ballet solo. The introductory solos have eclectic mixes of performing arts, from Jennyanydots and her tap-dance number with pests, to Rum Tum Tugger and his flamboyant rock-star energy coupled with electrifying guitar riffs. There’s even high-intensity acrobatic movements, all of which mimic the movement of actual cats. Act 1 ends with Grizabella, a shabby-looking cat, attempting to join the ball. I felt my heart squeeze with sadness seeing how her decrepit condition stops her from doing so. She is also shunned by the other Jellicles, being swatted and hissed at.
Act 2 continues on with the patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, encouraging the Jellicles to ponder about the meaning of happiness. Other candidates continue vying for a chance to ascend to the Heaviside Layer with their solos. A standout for me during Act 2 is Asparagus, better known as Gus. He’s an old cat suffering from ‘palsy’, as they call it, who relives his heyday as an artist with a fantastical play-within-a-play performance.
I won’t delve into the rest of Act 2 as it involves major spoilers, but you can anticipate a villain as well (don’t worry, no cats are harmed). After watching the entire show, the only gripe I have with CATS is the lack of context as to who Grizabella is beyond being a previous “glamour cat”, now outcast and shabby. I wish I were given a brief introduction so I could form my own informed opinion on her.
Who is CATS best for?
I would say CATS is best for non-traditionalists who enjoy a vibrant and upbeat show. The main attraction in CATS, in my humble opinion, is the high-energy choreography with incredible spectacle. Compared to musicals which focus on heavy storylines and plots, CATS is more dynamic. Various different characters bring their own special charm to the stage. There are various points during the show where the cats engage with the audience directly as well, which breaks away from the usual theatre format and makes for a more engaging show.
How to get to CATS at Sands Theatre
Sands Theatre is a 10-minute walk from Bayfront MRT station (CE1/DT16) and is located at B1-69/70 of Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The station connects to the Circle and Downtown Line of Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train system. Leave the station via Exit C or D.
If you prefer travelling by bus, you can stop at bus stops Marina Bay Sands Hotel (outside Hotel Tower 2) (03509), Marina Bay Sands Theatre (outside Sands Theatre, opposite Hotel Tower 3) (03501 ), Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention (outside Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention, opposite Hotel Tower 1) (03511), or Opp. Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention (opposite Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention, adjacent to Hotel Tower 1) (03519).
Services 97, 106, 518, 133 and 502 run daily. Do note that services 97E, 502A and 518A do not run on weekends and public holidays.
Do we recommend CATS?
I recommend CATS if you like any of these 3 things: non-conventional shows, chaotic goodness and beautiful set designs and costuming. I found that there really are no opportunities for you to feel bored. Even the background cats have character and show their personality through movements and expressions.
The designers have given each costume distinctive, recognisable features that set them apart, even with such a large number of costumes on stage. The story itself is simple, and it’s truly just a feel-good show with theatrics. Watch it for yourself and experience the wild fever dream that it is!
Catch CATS at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands till 22 Nov 2026.
Get your tickets from S$68 on Marina BAY SANDS
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