A purr-fect show: CATS – Young Actors Edition
This May, one of the world’s most beloved musicals will prowl onto an iconic Christchurch stage – and it’s bringing over 140 bright young stars with it. A jellicle celebration of youth, talent, and timeless theatre, mark your calendars.
For the first time ever, the National Youth Theatre brings CATS to the Isaac Theatre Royal. The premiere Ōtautahi production: CATS – Young Actors Edition is a condensed and beautifully reimagined version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic show. This heartwarming spectacle will be performed across four shows, from 23–25 May.
Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, CATS is a magical tale told through music, movement, and poetry, brought to life by a passionate cast of young performers from across the Canterbury region. At the heart of the story is the annual Jellicle Ball, where whimsical feline characters share their stories in hopes of being chosen by Old Deuteronomy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and begin a new life.
For the Isaac Theatre Royal (ITR), this production is a celebration of creativity, community, and future talent. “To see the next generation of performers take the stage with such confidence and passion is exactly what the ITR is here for,” says CEO Greg Ward.
Backed by stunning choreography, show-stopping costumes and the unforgettable ballad Memory, this version of CATS is a joyous, family-friendly experience that connects young artists with a stage steeped in history.
With the National Youth Theatre’s mission of ‘Changing Lives from the Stage,’ and a legacy production that continues to inspire, CATS promises to be a purr-fect night out.
SEE IT AT THE ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL
Friday 23 May – 7pm
Saturday 24 May – 1.30pm & 7pm
Sunday 25 May – 1.30pm
Tickets: www.nyt.nz
