Let the Memory Live Again: Iconic musical CATS returns to SA - Cape Town and Joburg

Musical theatre lovers are in for a huge treat this festive season, with a South African production of the legendary CATS taking to the boards in Cape Town, before transferring to Johannesburg.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical, adapted from TS Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, has been seen by an estimated 77 million people worldwide since its premiere in 1981 at the New London Theatre.

The current local production is presented by Pieter Toerien and GWB Entertainment by arrangement with The Really Useful Group and in association with Cape Town Opera.

It opened in Cape Town on 10 December, where it's on until 11 January, with the Joburg run from 17 January to 22 February.

Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined in-studio by three cast members - Stephan Van Der Walt (Admetus/Macavity), Jackie Lulu ('swing' performer) and Tannah Levick (Rumpleteazer).

All three performers fell in love with musical theatre at a young age, with CATS one of the first productions they saw on stage.

And it is a thrilling full-circle moment for them to actually be performing themselves in this beloved show.

Talking about the sheer magic and haunting nature of the music, they admit to being moved to tears themselves on stage. Just think of the timeless tune "Memory", which forms the climax of the show.

Cast members were a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content in CATS, says van Der Walt, and the rehearsal process was longer than the average for a musical.

"Rehearsals for this production started on 27 October, so including the technical process for moving into theatre it was about six or seven weeks. We were in studio learning the show for five weeks when normally I'd say an average is four weeks. And it is long hours - six days a week, eight hours a day you're in studio, you're dancing, you're sweating... you have a quick tea break and a quick lunch break and you're back at it."

CATS is on right now at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town until 11 January.

The run at Teatro Montecasino in Joburg is from 17 January to 22 February.

You need to move fast if you want to nab your spot - tickets are available from Webtickets.

To listen to the CATS cast members in conversation with Sara-Jayne Makwala King on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: