Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, together with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, today announced 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. The production will be 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 new production will run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 25 July – 12 September 2026, with a press night on 6 August 2026.

Following its London season, CATS will 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.

Produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, this marks part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director. It will be the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last decade, 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 successes include the acclaimed production of Evita at The London Palladium, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning revival of Sunset Boulevard, and Starlight Express, which has just extended for a sixth time at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

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. Each dares to ask — who will it be?

Featuring a legendary score including Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, The Jellicle Ball, and the chart-topping Memory, this production promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of 2026. Casting and the full creative team will be announced soon.

CATS remains one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. It premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, running for 21 record-breaking years and nearly 9,000 performances, and went on to win Olivier, Evening Standard, and Tony Awards. The Broadway production ran for 18 years and its cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.

In 2026, CATS will also embark on two 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 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 ensuring our work is seen far 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 both at the Open Air Theatre and on tour across the UK.”

Tickets for CATS go on sale to members on 23 October and to the general public on 28 October.