Cats, the phenomenal musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, will return to Beijing for eight shows this month. This is the third China tour of the Really Useful Company's production and China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) - current promoter of the China Tour says that it could be the last time Cats is seen in China in the foreseeable future.

"Cats was well received in China in 2004 and 2008 and songs such as Memory won over millions of hearts," says Tim McFarlane, producer of the Really Useful Company Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.

"We know this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and we hope to give the best performance to celebrate it."

Delia Hannah, one of the finest musical sopranos from Australia, will sing Grizabella for the tour. For personal reasons, Hannah missed the 2008 China tour, so is greatly looking forward to the upcoming performance. "My friends in last year's cast told me it's a great experience touring China," says Hannah. "The audiences are warm. The cast not only climbed the Great Wall but also saw the lovely pandas. I've performed in some 20 countries and now finally I can add China to this list."

Directed by Trevor Nunn and with musical staging by Gillian Lynne, Cats has conquered the world with a score that includes the hit song Memory.

Cats is a two-act musical about a tribe of cats who gather once a year to choose a member of the tribe to be reincarnated. The musical showcases characters from all walks of life who are metaphors of characters from different parts of society. The stories are told through the poetry of T.S. Eliot.

After the Beijing performance, the show will tour Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing and Hangzhou.

7:30 pm, Sept 19-27
Beizhan Theater, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie
8528-2090, 6833-6969, 400-818-3333

(China Daily September 4, 2009)